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can anyone answer my question about the warranty/rattle? thanks.
Put your window down with your left hand, place your sunglasses in your right hand, throw your sunglasses out the window and, no more rattles forever.
I think you can plainly see that you are a lucky one, you have no real rattles, or squeaks. Others, myself included, have rattles in the dash, doors, pillars, and rear windows. Just not a sunglass problem.
Next Thursday I get to see the area Toyota Rep. again for the third time in a year to try to fix the noise in pillar or door or both. I believe my recent noise is coming from my window rattling in the frame of the upper door. I will write next week if I have any luck.
There rev4, there is your response, and if You look back in past postings, I reported the sunglasses issue a long time ago.
My father-in-law has a '92 Camry with 260,000 kms on it ... and no rattles to speak of. He's talking about an Altima for his next car. He's driven Toyotas for almost 30 years!
Toyota has almost US$30 BILLION in the bank. Could there be a correlation between their record high profits and signs of quality issues?
The passenger door buzz has disappeared. I'll take it.
However, the dash buzz has really got to go.
You can hear it over the radio and it's driving us nuts.
Even worse, it's intermittent, and seems to operate in a certain temperature band, not too cold, not too hot, just right (which means most of our driving time). And it never fails for the dealer (consistent NTF's).
It sounds like metal-on-metal contact, and here is the wierd part: I can stop it at will by laying my hand on the dash between the right center air vent and the radio stack.
Even better, I can just lightly touch my fingers to the dash material above the upper-left of the radio stack.
It almost seems as if there is metal underneath the dash material, and it is vibrating against some metal on the radio stack, and just light hand/finger pressure will dampen it.
Does anyone know how this area is put together?
The dealer hasn't been able to fix it, although he did the TSB on the heat-shield. He claims the other TSBs are for the sunroof (not in my case) and removing pins around the windshield area on Japanese-built models.
Any ideas?
anyone ever experienced this?
As usual, it did not fail on the way over, but I insisted on showing the service writer and mechanic how to squelch the rattle by applying finger pressure on the dash in certain areas.
The mechanic decided to let the car sit in the sun for awhile to warm up the dash, and it FAILED for him right off.
He pulled the radio stack, and insulated where the radio stack and the top of the dash contacted the HVAC ductwork.
Fixed! andrelaplume and camrytime2, hope your rattles get fixed too :--)
Any quick fix ? Thanks
1. Loud (intermittent) viration at left side of dash, possibly back by the windshield.
2. Radio rattle
3. Passenger seat belt (retractor guide?) rattle
4. Headliner rattle
5. Drivers side door rattle
I might be able to live with 2 thru 5, but number one is killing me, whether I have the radio on or not.
After reading all your posts, I tried to contact my local Toyota dealer last night to see if they could help me. As soon as they found out what I was calling about, they put me on hold, permanently. I gave up after 10 minutes. I don't think they want to deal with me.
I think this is a crying shame. On the surface, the car looks, runs, and handles great. Passed the smog test with flying colors and gets excellent gas mileage. Other than the rattles its amazingly quiet. You can barely hear the engine running. But all of that potential enjoyment is robbed by the orchestra of rattles.
If any of you have a '97 Camry, and have actually solved any/all of my rattles, could you please post your solutions for me? Also, I'm not up on the lingo (e.g. cowling, pillar, etc). So try to explain it to a non mechanic.
Thank you
After removed B pillar completely, removed seat belt retractor,insulated all the wires but the cracking noise was still there. It appeared under B pillar. I sprayed silicon lubricant to all drill holes under B pillar and that worked!!
Now the car is so quiet
A week later it's back, it used to happen when you're coming to a stop, redlight, stop sign etc.
I had my oil changed by a toyota dealer and now it's there constantly.
I'm not going to be taking anything apart since I have no idea how, maybe put a piece of paper under the glass that kind of thing, a simple fix before I go to the dealer
Both times the tapping started, my radio was turned up, could that have caused it? (the bass thumping)
I have less than 1500 miles on it, camry 03
Have any of you suffered from this problem? Reading the posts it appears most of you guys are getting a dash rattle. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
Anyway, did you look at the truck area? I am not sure about this. But you may take a look to see if there is any lose object in the trunk. It could be a lose screw/nut for the space tire, tire jack and tools.
lok888: I've exhausted myself searching the trunk. I actually removed the tools and the cover of the spare. I even pushed the car up and down seeing what rattles it makes. There are a couple of rattles, but nothing that a driver should be able to hear while in a moving vehicle (at least I'm assuming so).
As far as "making noise". I'm giving Toyota one last chance. I made an appt at the dealership where I purchased it from. If I come of out this as bitter as I do entering, "noise" will definitely be heard. I realize it's no big deal, but rattles are annoying as hell (and I only have 550 miles!) and their refusal to help (although they were quite polite in doing so...) is galling.
thanks guys, I really appreciate the suggestions!
If anyone here knows how to take apart that speaker shelf are, please let me know. I'm not the handiest guy in the world but I'm not too bad either. Thanks !
have someone ride in the trunk
also wet the underside areas to see if its a weld joint
wain, have someone ride in the trunk? LOL
or were you being serious ?
I know I am still not satisfied with my '02 rattle trap and I bet there are others out there who STILL feel the same. If so start posting again!!!!
Well the magic spray that they sprayed on my door jams did quiet a great many of my door rattles. (My guess is the warm summer weather quieted a few as well) Unfortunately the magic potion wears of in about 6 weeks. I am going to try to determine what the 'spray' is and pick up a can myself. I could be a pri#k and go back every 6 weeks but this is a hassle for me and in all fairness it is not the dealers fault that Toyota decided to implement a crappy design. Note: This is not a silicon spray...I was warned that this (over-time) actually makes matters worse.
I have also decided to let them pull out my radio and attempt to insulate the surrounding areas---I hope they do not make it worse.
I only hope Conumer Reports continues to knock Toyota in these areas...its a shame what they did to an otherwise impressive automobile.
Anyone else find any solutions to the myriad of rattles the Camry contains....or do we need a few more weeks until it gets cold and they become more pronounced again.
I can't wait to hear about the 2004s....
One, the squeeky sunroof shade, they fixed based on a TSB issued in 02. So Toyota is shipping 03s with the problem and waiting for custormers to get them fixed in the fiels instead of changing it on the assembly line. Here's my rattle list thus far.
1. sunroof shade squeeked and rattled when open
2. squeek from dash right around radio. If I hold the dash here it stops.
3. clunk/rattle just inside of roof liner around sunglass holder. Need to hit a hard bump to hear this one.
4. Squeek from left air vent, intermittent
5. Rattle from somewhere on right side of car, sounds like it is coming from B pillar.
Toyota's response to my complaint was, 'did you give the dealer a chance to fix these', like somehow they think it is ok to run your car back to the dealer all they time to let them say, 'unable to duplicate'. Maybe others have had good luck with their new Camry's, but mine rattles!!!!
My car only got 200 miles when rattle and sqeak or annoying noise began to alert me. Noise came from left side of window, right side of b-pillar and dashboard. So what's going on? Toyota reliable, durable? I don't think so. What can I do with those noises, take to the dealer=wasting my time!
:-(
Other little squeaks and creaks in door and dash as well.
Wrote (an ignored) letter to the local service place about my displeasure over my '$22K rattle trap'. Guess they figure they have buyers by the tail. Or maybe they know there is no fix for this sort of thing so they just shine it.
Anyway, just rented an 03 Highlander for a week (test drive) and the glovebox had the same d@mn rattle.
Gives one serious pause when considering spending ~$30K on a new vehicle...
turn up the radio! ;-)
srp
Of course you would say take it to the dealer, hey, by taking it to the dealer you have to make an appointment first, then leave the car over there for a day or so, which means I have nothing to drive. Can I get a loaner?
Who say 10 year/100,000 miles is good?
I like to keep my cars 5+ years and I also wanted to get away from the constant trips to dealer I had experienced with my older (and initially cheaper) Ford. This is why I spent more for the 2002 Camry. Sadly, the Camry has not entirely lived up to its past reputation, at least in the squeaks and rattles arena. My dealer actually cited examples where they use fewer fasteners to hold the car together. If, to keep costs down, they are cheating the car in this arena, who is to say they are not cut corners mechanically as well. In early 2002 I gave Toyota the (earned) benefit of the doubt based on it prior reputation that the new generation would be fully up to par. It has not lived up to my expectations. Also, Toyota fails to acknowledge the problem (I gave them a pass on the sludge issue since I figured they never had a screw up before thus no experience handling one). Case in point: Towards the end of the 2002 year Toyota issued a press release on the rattles/creak issues to head off the knock in Consumer Reports. They stated dealers had fixes for all the rattles and had re-designed the 2003s. Untrue. My dealer has only a few known fixes for creak and rattle issues and most of them they figured out themselves. Furthermore I called Toyota and they could not even cite one design change in the 2003s. Meanwhile my car continues to experience intermittent creaks/rattles/vibrations, sometimes a new one will crop up, other times I get a return engagement from one that had not been around for a while. I attribute this behavior to an over all cheapened design rather than a lack of insulation here or there. In other words they cut corners to keep costs down. If they did it in one area, how do I know they did not cheat another as well. Only time will tell .
As far as Kia and Hyndai improving but only because they 'had no where to go but up'....I say, true but look how fast they are improving. Again, I think Toyota should keep on their toes!
Ok by now most of you think I am a paranoid worry wart. I admit, rattles aside, I like my Camry just fine but want my investment protected. I like folks thinking the Toyota is a notch above everyone else because it actually is. I do not like Toyota cheapening the car in any way, denying culpability and doing anything that diminishes the reputation of my investment. I sincerely hope in years 3-5 (if I can stomach the rattles) my car will remain mechanically worry free. I also hope Toyota makes some strides to head this rattle/creak issue now before their customer base starts to dwindle and they are forced to make further cost saving alterations. This can only lead to a quality diminishment change in the perception of Toyota.
I recommend a complain list of individual to voice our opinion to Toyato. I have already start to contact our local news channel to investigate. Dealer and Toyato may not notice one or two individual voices but I am sure we will get more attention if we let them know it's not a few. We are talking about hundreds. Please set me an email(rpcgar@yahoo.com) with subject "Toyato Camry Noise". Not sure if anyone has try this yet or not. Let me know if this is a good idea or not.
As I understood, most of rattles had been correct for 2003 and later models. Always, there are many problems for first year model, check Honda Accord for rattles as well, not Camry alone.
As for the time frame analysis of the Toyota vs. Ford and which is the better deal, I think you are pretty accurate but also keep in mind the amount Ford depreciates vs Toyota.
Also, I think it would be us the consumer who would benefit a great deal if Toyota were to "stay on their toes". That would be a good thing as the product could always be better.
I was reading all the recent posts in regards to the Camry 02 and 03 rattles and body noises. We are awaiting delievery on our 04 Camry SE V6 and after reading the posts I was very concerned. I just got off the phone with Toyota in California (800) 331-4331 select Opt. #3, this is where you could find out about product refinement, technical questions, etc. They were very helpful in explaing to me what they have done to address the noise, rattles, etc in the Camry's. For the 04 models they have installed liquid filled engine mounts to reduce/damping engine vibrations. Second, they have installed damping steel and asphalt sheeting which is applied to the fire wall, center tunnel, rear wheel wells and flooring to keep out road and tire noise as well as engine noise. Third, they improved the chasis to be more of a ridgid body to reduce creaks and rattles over rough surfaces. Fourth, they added front and rear sub frame anti vibrations pads to reduce/isolate noise from entering the passanger cabin. Lastly, for the four cyclinder models they added engine and transaxle stiffner plates to reduce transaxle vibrations in the passanger cabins and for the six cyclinder models they have installed a two piece oil pan which serves a similar function as the four cyclinder models stiffner plates do. I do hope that this resolves a great deal, if not all the creaks and rattles in the Camry's. Like everyone else, we are not spending over $30,000.00 on a vehicle that has rattles, for that we would have bought a babie's rattle instead and save $29,999.00 :-). I have also heard and read of similar complaints on the new Accords, but when I contacted Honda they stated that they have done nothing to address these complaints for the 04 Accord models. If anyone is interested, look at the NHTSA web site and you will find about 75 complaints on the 03 Camry, but the 03 Accord complaints are well over 170. Thank you Toyota for the upgrades.
Later