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Toyota Camry Rattles

nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
a topic - Toyota Rattles. All the new models seem to...

2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

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Comments

  • confuseddesiconfuseddesi Member Posts: 23
    How abt 2003 Models XLE /LE ?
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    My wife and I purchased a Camry LE new in June of this year. We noticed noise from the dash and the doors rattling around 2000 miles. We have brought the car into the dealer three times. Initially, they had some success by insulating the window post and taking out the radio area of dash and insulating it. When we still had the problem of the passenger door rattling each time we go over a bump in the road we called the dealer and were told that they wanted a factory rep to look at it. I brought the car in and the rep drove it while I sat in the back seat. Each time we went over a bump the door rattled. He said that he did not hear it! He said there was nothing wrong with the car! The dealership then wrote up a ticket saying no problem was found. Now what do we do?

    I have now driven several other 2002 Camrys and I am convinced that this is a factory defect. Every one of them rattle to some extent!
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    yes, Yes, YES!!! I have the same exact rattles..started at about 3000 miles. Periodically it sounds like wires or something vibrating behind the radio...emabarrasingly annoying...I bet with time there will be a fix for this one. Also have the SAME problem with a rattle around ear's height in the driver/passenger door. There have been a few complaints here and there on the board. The noise was and is suttle on rough pavement worse on bumps and worse when it gets colder. I have not had it looked at yet but expect it is a design flaw. Until enough people complain I am not surprised that the rep could not/won't hear it. Perhaps when the 'rattles like a Ford' jokes start coming from the Honda folks Toyota will quickly address the issue. I admit I am sensitive to rattles...which is why I purchased the Camry! Evedently the new model has some design defects. We shoud get a new topic on the board: CAMRY RATTLES. I know others are experiencing this...I have however found Camry owners not quite as willing to acknowlege/discuss quality issues...I think they just ignore them! Please let me know if you get any resolution on this...I'll do the same as I am making an appt to get it looked at soon. Boooo!
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Well it is good not to feel like the Lone Ranger. I have now driven 5 additional 2002 Camrys including one with about 20,000 miles and it was the worse of the lot. The passenger door and dash rattles in these cars. The Lemon law states (I am not a lawyer) that they can have 4 attempts to repair a warranty issue and then they have to refund or replace the vehicle.
    I think it is going to take a number of people coming forward and demanding repair on this to get them to do anything. I am going to try to start a discussion thread to gather the owners who have rattles together. Thanks for your input. My email is mbergman@kc.rr.com if you have additional info. PLEASE OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM CONTACT ME. Go in and make them fix it!!
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    I have the same rattles coming from both sides. It might be coming from where the seat belt attaches to the frame. Sounds like there's some plastic pieces rattling against each other in the seat belt height adjuster.
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Who could identify door rattles, at ear's height in both the passenger and driver's doors in 2002 Camry's. There are more and more posts appearing on these boards. My guess is there are many who have not complained...I have found Camry owner's not very willing to complain (admit) when there is a qulaity problem. Anyway it's very annoying as is the periodic rattle that comes from behind the radio. If you have any great service contacts who can make a reccomendation that would be great.

    (There was a post referencing a TSP about a cracking noise coming from the moon roof but that's another issue...I don't have one!)
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Put them here...there is power in numbers and if you are like me you really feel this is a shame because the car is extrordinary otherwise. Sadly the fact that it is soooo quiet only makes the rattles more obvious...perhaps they can engineer a fix...I will try to get a Toyota number that we can all call to bring it to their ATTENTION! Will post next week. As far as lemon law...I doubt this is the kind of thing that will get you a refund...it IS the kind of thing that will stop some from buying Toyotas though....I can hear the Honda folks gloating already not to mention the American car buyers who new they were getting rattles ahead of time but paid thousands less. Lets take the high road and assume Toyota will stand behind their car and come up with a fix!!!
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    Toyota ain't gonna like this topic -- they are probably still recovering from the oil gel thing.
    Just proves they should quit changing the cars (human nature of course is to screw up a good thing).

    My 94 Camry is great:
    100,500 miles , original front and back brake pads, orig muffler, orig water pump, never added freon to A/C. Repairs to date - front motor mount, new antenna mast.
    My GM cars ate brakes at 20,000 miles and water pumps at 25000 miles
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    the masts are constantly breaking - I am glad they finally went to the in-glass antennae...

    I have a matrix, it is not a Camry, but there is enough plastic in this thing to...I don't know - what takes a lot of plastic?!! But it creaks and squeaks all the time, both as the car moves, and as it warms up from the sun.

    And the right passenger door makes a ruckus like a can of loose screws whenever you drive over pavement that is not glass-smooth. It has been in twice to fix this - the second guy got about 50% of it, but I think I am going to have to settle for that...who has the time to keep going back for the same thing?

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • rubicon52rubicon52 Member Posts: 191
    and have concluded the following:

    1. Current Toyotas are NOT built like Toyotas in the past. I believe this is intentional on Toyota's part. They want to keep the lid on prices and remain cost competitive with other makes. I think Toyota believes that most buyers are willing to give up a little build quality to save money. Toyota is probably right.

    2. Toyota would never admit it, but they probably can't achieve the same quality in their North American factories that they can in their Japanese factories. If there was a reduction in quality how would it show up? During assembly resulting in squeaks and rattles. I don't think it's a coincidence that Lexus are all still made in Japan.

    3. Although your Toyota has some strange noises, the powertrain is rugged and will probably remain trouble free for a long time. My repair costs over the years have averaged about $25 per year per vehicle. That is getting pretty close to perfection. While you're being annoyed with strange noises, owners of other makes are having transmission failures, blown head gaskets, etc.

    4. If you want the great build quality that Toyota used to have, one solution is to buy a Lexus. This is a viable alternative for something like a Camry. Pay $5k more and get a Lexus ES300. Unfortunately, many Toyotas such as Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Celica, etc. do not have a Lexus equivalent. With a Lexus you will get the great build quality of past Toyotas and bulletproof mechanicals.
  • dragonfiredragonfire Member Posts: 39
    For the vehicles with rattles.. are the vehicles built in Japan or the US? Just was curious to see if there was a correlation to the build or deisgn! Thanks in advance!
  • junkman2junkman2 Member Posts: 11
    ...anybody else with a 97-01 generation camry have any problems with their driver or front passenger seat rattling or "clunking" when going over bumps?
  • dragonfiredragonfire Member Posts: 39
    Hi everyone,

    I just bought a new Camry about 2 weeks ago and have put 400+ miles on it. Being a little paranoid from the talk of rattles, I listened carefully to the car and I started hearing creaks coming from the dash. I investigated further and it seems to be coming from the radio console. It doesn't seem to seat very well. When I press on the junction between the dash and the radio, I can hear it creak!!! How can I take care of this? This is my first new car so I'm hoping to get some pointers on approaching the dealer. Thanks.

    P.S. Is this a similar problem to what most people are having?
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    Try some armorall squirted into the cracks.
  • xingze_caixingze_cai Member Posts: 47
    I tried to change coolant on my 97 Camry LE(4 cylinders) this afternoon. After lose the radiator drain plug, the coolant was flowed out, after it finished draining, I found only about 1 gallon of coolant was out, check the manual, it should be about 7.3 quarts(less than 2 gallons), check the procedures mentioned in the manual again, found that another drain plug from the engine block needs to be loosen as well, I have no idea where this plug is located, anybody has this experience and knows where it is located? (on top or on the bottom side, etc) Thanks a lot!
  • bergm57bergm57 Member Posts: 9
    I have the US Customer Service number for Toyota. Please call them with your complaints about rattles in your 2002 Camry or any other model. It is 1-800-331-4331 - You can file a complaint if your dealer is not able to resolve the problem or denies there is a problem.
    Please take the few minutes it takes to do this. You will be helping all of us who purchased the Toyota Camry based on its reputation for quality.
  • mateyomateyo Member Posts: 22
    Yes! I have a 2000 Solara and the front passenger seat was rattling all the time. Not just over bumps, any less-than-smooth pavement would do it. I folded a hand towel into a thick-enough square and placed it under the adjustment handle at the bottom front of the seat. It lifts the handle just a little bit (seat won't move) and the towel fits snugly underneath. Doing this has eliminated the rattle.

    Now of course this is just a home remedy and I haven't taken the car into the dealer to have it looked at, but it's a possible solution for you.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    I don't think modern Toyotas are built as well as the older ones were, but I also agree that the powertrains (i.e. the EXPENSIVE parts) will still outlast your interest in the car, with very minimal repair costs and average maintenance costs.

    My Matrix was built in Canada - I didn't get a choice about that - they are only built one place. However, for many of the models you can pick from American-made ones or Japanese ones, and I think there IS a correlation between the squeaky, rattly ones and the build location in America. I would say if you are looking for corolla or camry, walk around the lot some - every car is required to have a sticker right on it saying point of final assembly, and for either of these models you can find American ones and Japanese ones. The only models where you have no choice, I believe, are Matrix and Sienna, as well as Tacomas. Echo and celica are Japan-built, as are all the SUVs - have I missed anything? Oh yeah, Solara is all built here.

    Final note: in many of these models nowadays, even the expensive ones, there is a great deal of plastic used to save weight, which is important. However, it is inevitable, I think, that when you use that much plastic to build the interior of a car, there are going to be squeaks and rattles. I have experienced this on other models I have test-driven, including Nissans and Hondas, as well as some domestic cars as well.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • junkman2junkman2 Member Posts: 11
    ...thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a shot. My dealer has been unable to figure it out so far.
  • bergm57bergm57 Member Posts: 9
    I have received many email now from people who have experienced rattles with their Toyota Camry. Most specifically the 2002 models. I want to bring a united concern to Toyota management and try to make a difference in the satisfaction level we have with these cars that we have spent our hard earned money to purchase. Together we may be able to be loud enough to get some action. Please continue to send me your email with your story and how you have handled the situation. I will be meeting with Toyota arbitrators in 60 days and I would like to bring all our complaints to their attention. Thanks for your help! mbergman@kc.rr.com
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Go for it. Their seems to be a definite issue so hopefully they will have a fix....if so please post it! In the mean time I am hesitant to have the dealer start ripping the car apart...they do not have a clue as to how to fix it. Again, I hope Toyota will acknowlege the problem and provide a consistent fix to all dealers. I am going to call the number in the above post to complain...not specifically about the dealer but more to the fact that many Toyotas are experiencing the exact same problem. In fact I am going to point them to this website!

    As far as their being a lot of plastic...that has been the case for years...I'd expect some rattles now and then but not in the exact same spot on both the passenger and drivers side...and in many many 2002s...this is a design defect of some sort!
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    would probably get the message best if their sales dropped dramatically as a result of these poorly built cars.

    HOWEVER, it just so happens that I was reading the ten econocars comparo in the latest Car and Driver, and, what's this? turns out Honda Civic came in fifth for poor paint and squeaks and rattles all over the place.

    I think both of these manufacturers are resting on the laurels of their past successes right now, and figuring out ways to cheapen their production and hence make more profits without the consumer noticing.

    Well, to judge from this board, PEOPLE ARE NOTICING!

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • 3nikki3nikki Member Posts: 2
    I bought a brand new 2003 Toyota Camry LE V6 with auto trans and noticed a recurrent transmission problem after the first 100 miles . I am currently around 500 miles and managed to notice other defects.

    I am trying to get this lemon replaced and have begun the arbitration process. From my experience with the company and the dealer,a customer's opinion counts for nothing.

    Does anyone of any reputable third party service that test drive my car and give documentary evidence that I am not imagining these problems. This would really help my case.

    Thank you for any help you can provide.
    Naveen
  • silvernubirasilvernubira Member Posts: 59
    My 1997 Camry practically was a POS. Rear suspension clunked and left rear window rattled when the car was driven over a slightest irregularity on the pavement. I heard that both were manufacturing problems, when rushing through the process of manufacturing 400,000 plus cars, they just missed few things like these. In addition, the heater smelled like a chemicals manufacturing plant.

    The Toyota dealer who sold me the car would not even touch the car and told me check with the factory rep. because Toyota was not paying them enough.

    Factory rep had two rear struts replaced, which made no difference. He also told me that there was nothing wrong with the car and he was doing this as a "good will" gesture(!!??) After that he would not even talk to me. I was told that he was promoted and there was no factory rep. for me to contact, which was a lie.

    Then I went through Toyota's arbitration and their own arbitrator recommended that Toyota repair the car. Toyota Motor Sales just ignored their own arbitrator's decision.

    Than I went through this State's arbitration. Toyota was asked to buy back their "masterpiece" and they did.

    No more POS Toyotas for me!
  • ron_toyron_toy Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2002 XLE/V6 with just over 4000 miles and starting to get the same rattles in the dash/radio area and at ear level by the seat belts. This is one of the best driving and comfortable cars I have ever owned and the superb quietness is part of the problem why these are noticed. I had a 93 Intrepid ES before and you could not hear the rattles over the wind and road noise. Will see what the dealer says when I take it in at 5000 miles.
  • black_tulipblack_tulip Member Posts: 435
    I rented a '02 Camry on two separate occasions and both had the dash/radio area rattle. On the other hand, my '99 Camry made in Kentucky and pushing 120K miles is completely rattle free, so it may be a design issue. Another data point: the 2 or 3 Tauruses/Sables that I rented at Hertz this year were rattle free as well.
  • bergm57bergm57 Member Posts: 9
    Well, I got a call today from Toyota and they asked me if I want to attend an arbitration where I can present my evidence with one arbitrator or send in paper work to three arbitrators and abide by their decision. Then I got on here today and saw posts from CJTS and cannondale1 in the Camry string that basically said they had gone through arbitration and all it ends up being is a rubber stamp of what the Toyota factory rep said. So this should be interesting. Thanks to all those who sent email describing your problems. I will be using that as collaboration of the issue. I may be walking into the machine gun nest but it seems there is not any other choice. Wish me luck.
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    and sadly I am now getting rattles from the upper dash! I am starting to feel as though I am riding to work in my old Ford! How depressing!
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    What happened with arbitration?
  • bergm57bergm57 Member Posts: 9
    Nothing on arbitration yet. I have the appointment set for the 14th.....
  • steveb29steveb29 Member Posts: 2
    This is a table I had in Excel. I'll try to post it, but am not quite sure how it's going to look....

    MILES DATE ITEM COMMENTS WARRANTY?
    6 12/6/2001 Took Delivery of vehicle
    517 12/17/2001 Check driver seat motion Advisor said it was considered "normal" YES
    1,550 1/10/2002 "Replaced complete seat track (drivers seat).
    Removed headliner and shimmed to stop rattling.
    Inspected right rear for rattling in wheel area." Strut ordered YES
    1,994 1/17/2002 "Express Lube.
    Replaced right rear strut/Four-wheel alignment.
    Trunk cover hits hinge on left side/Reinstalled covers in trunk." YES
    4,334 2/22/2002 "5,000 Mile Mini.
    Inspect pulling to right since strut replacement.
    Inspect for rattle in R/F door./Insulate lock cable.
    Rattle in sunroof switch./Insulated." YES
    7,179 4/24/2002 Express Lube.
    11,342 7/16/2002 "Express Lube.
    Rotate Tires.
    Trunk liner falling / Reattached with glue." YES
    14,829 9/10/2002 "Express Lube.
    Trunk liner falling / Attached per TSP BO003-02.
    Inspect right front brakes for noise." "Vehicle operating properly at this time" regarding the brake noise. YES
    16,549 10/8/2002 "Sunroof tilting roughly when hits top. Is no longer flush with roof.
    Right front brake pops when brake pedal is pressed." "Sunroof was ""Adjusted.""
    Parts ordered for brake." YES
    16,959 10/15/2002 "Replaced shim-kit for previous item.
    Adjusted sunroof" Sunroof still not tilting properly and not flush. YES
    17,485 10/24/2002 Sunroof not tilting properly./Removed and calibrated motor assembly. Still not flush with roofline. Water puddles during rain. YES
    18,326 11/6/2002 "Express Lube.
    Sunroof not flush with roof line/Adjust sunroof
    Check for squeak from sunroof when going down rough road/Lube sunroof" Sunroof now flush. New rubber seal was ordered as mine is kinked on one corner. YES
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    sounds like one to sell - the proverbial hot potato!

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • mpynempyne Member Posts: 120
    hey im glad i saw this post
    i have a japan built corolla and am having problems with rattles over really small bumps

    so its just not the US built cars
    i was really harsh on theor customer survey

    next car im getting a hyundai
    (sorry hyundai at least acts like they care these days)
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    After all that.....are the rattles gone...or has all the ripping and tearing made things worse....has your dealer mentioned doing similar repairs to other Camry's?
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Hope you arm yourself with response to the crappy rating Camry owners gave the Camry in CR with regards to squeaks and rattles. I can't wait to hear how your arbitration goes---especially now they they have admitted the proble...I just hope they have a solution for us...personally I think they are just blowing smoke up our....

    This was posted on the Camry board:


    TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- This statement is being issued by
    Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.:

    In survey results publicized by Consumer Reports, the 2002 Toyota Camry
    was rated average due to complaints about minor issues with some aspects of
    the car's interior and exterior trim.
    Toyota responded to customer reports of uncharacteristic squeaks, rattles
    and loose trim in early production of the redesigned 2002 Camry. Internal
    surveys and independent reports confirm Toyota's confidence that the issues
    have since been resolved and that Camry initial quality is back to its normal
    high levels. Functional reliability is not an issue. In fact, Camry scored
    well above average in all major operational categories of Consumer Reports'
    survey including engine, transmission, brake and electrical systems, etc.
    Camry remains a recommended model and Toyota and Lexus models continue to
    be at or near the top of their segments as rated by Consumer Reports and many
    other independent quality, reliability and customer satisfaction surveys.
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    at least they addressed it.
    GM never does that .
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    They did not address it...just said they did. I called two dealers, each of which had no solution from Toyota on the door oillar rattle issue. I called Toyota (and actually got thru right away) but the rep could not respond to the press release except to say he thought it implied that those with problems were attended to. He could not however explain what action Toyota took to fix the problems or why anyone should assume the rattle reliabilty would return to above average. Their blowin smoke so they don't look so bad with the new Honda coming out.

    With respect to GM, who'd expect them too. You expect rattles on the American cars. Was it not Iococa who said American car buyers don't mind trim falling off as long as the price is low...
  • rubicon52rubicon52 Member Posts: 191
    Toyota Motor products historically have ranged from average to far above average in reliability. The products with average reliability tend to be new models or models of limited production. For example, 1998 was the first year for the redesigned Lexus GS300. The GS300 using a 3 liter straight six which Toyota does not produce in great quantity. The 98 GS300 had a number of problems and even today I don't think its reliability has risen above average. The Lexus ES300 on the other hand uses a 3 liter V-6 which Toyota makes in great quantity for the ES300 and several Toyota models. The ES300 is one of the most reliable cars made. I would expect that after a year or two, the Camry's reliability ratings will increase to above average. Also, squeaks and rattles seem to be a common complaint among many makers today, not just Toyota. Although Toyota drive trains seem to be as reliable as ever, I don't think the build quality of today's Toyotas is as good as it was previously. I think this is deliberate on Toyota's part because they want to remain cost competitive with their competition. That's why they decontented the Camry in the 1997 redesign. Also, I think most buyers are willing to trade a little build quality for more features. Also, many Toyotas are built outside Japan today. Although, Toyota will never admit it, I don't think the cars assembled outside Japan are as well built. It's not a coincidence that Lexus are still made in Japan. However, if you really want high build quality in a Toyota Motor product it is still available - it's called Lexus.
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    but in the decontented post 97s are the rear view mirrors that are glued on staying on? I had a VW rabbit that the glue would never hold it on.
    My 94 Camry has the metal post mount - the "glue on" is probably a cheaper way.
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Then my perspective will be to jump back to the American cars, save $5K and dump them every 4 years before I start to incurr repair costs. Toyota looses in this battle becasue if I am forced into a car that won't last for 7 years then I'm buying the cheapest car with the best coverage...Hyndai is not looking so bad!

    PS:
    Hope you are wrong!
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Any fixes...what happened?
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    even if the cars are mechanically reliable etc etc etc, is it a reasonable expectation that the car not rattle and squeak when you drive it down the road three days after you bought it new?

    I say the answer is "yes", and if you have to build squeaky creaky cars to build them to last, then maybe you should be building them to last a little less!

    Toyotas have outstanding reliability and longevity, and I think they are worth a premium over other makes in their segment, but I don't think it is too much to ask that they also be quiet and rattle-free driving out of the dealer's lot.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • mpynempyne Member Posts: 120
    Toyota will never admit it, I don't think the cars assembled outside Japan are as well built. It's not a coincidence that Lexus are still made in Japan. However, if you really want high build quality in a Toyota Motor product it is still available - it's called Lexus.

    **i have a japan built corolla that rattles like crazy. so i dont buy the built in japan stuff

    "Toyotas have outstanding reliability and longevity"

    **based on what? past history who cares, whats to say that toyotas of today will last as long? it seems like honda an toyota are dropping the ball.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    I hear exactly the same type of discussion over in the Kia and Hyundai discussions, except that over there, the HyunKia owners are saying they are built much better now than they were three years, and I say the same thing to them: you won't know for several years.

    The one and two year old cars are not old enough to tell you if they are more or less reliable than they used to be (unless they really suck), and this applies to new Toyotas as well.

    Personally, I would say that since Toyota's model evolution is so cautious and gradual, it is quite likely that the ones being built now are still pretty much as reliable as those of a decade ago, but I would also say that the 80s Toyos were better in the long run than the 90s ones, just by a bit, and this trend may be continuing. In particular, the more I read about manufacturers, Toyota included, squeezing their parts suppliers tighter and tighter for every last drop of profit, the more those parts are going down in quality and longevity, and after all, the car is only as good as its parts.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    I wish I had had the choice of selecting a Japan-built Matrix, but alas they are all built in Canada. Even the Matrix sold in Japan (Voltz) is built here - at the NUMMI plant in CA where the Vibes are produced. I do think the home market cars are built a little better than the ones produced here, and I would have paid a (small) premium to purchase one specifically made over there.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    I thought the Canadian plants were pretty good in manufacturing??
    I had a Honda Civic built there, not quite a good as japan but real close - a few cosmetic glue blobs here and there - mechanically ok
  • i_luv_toyotai_luv_toyota Member Posts: 350
    The Canadian plant (Cambridge, ON) is probably the best Toyota plant outside of Japan. Its far better than the Kentucky plant and the California NUMMI plant. The Indiana plant has proven good quality, though, as my fathers 2002 Tundra Access Cab SR5 V8 4WD demonstrates.

    My 1991 Camry, which was made in Japan, has NO rattles, squeaks or vibrations anywhere in it. It has over 115K miles on it. My 2000 RAV4 (also made in Japan) is the same way, but only has 10K miles.

    My mothers Kentucky built 1999 Avalon is a complete rattletrap after only 15K miles. It may be soon traded in for an ES 300 or a Highlander Limited 4WD, both primarily Japanese built.

    Yes it does make a difference whether or not the Toyota was made in Japan or Canada versus Kentucky. As has been said ad nauseum, there are reasons all Lexus are Japanese made. The first Lexus soon to be built in North America will be built in Canada. This means the Solara is going to be built in Kentucky, so look for it's quality to go down from earlier Canadian built models. The Sienna is going to Indiana, so look for an increase in quality from earlier KY models.
  • bdesaibdesai Member Posts: 24
    As a current owner of a '98 Camry (LE, 40K miles, AT) I feel that I can say this without insulting all you Toyota fans. While this Camry has remained mechanically problem free, just too many stupid little things have me totally p'd off.
    1. Drivers door does not close the way other doors do (from day one). It needs just a little extra push - I know, I know - picky, picky! Heck ya, I'll be picky and expect perfection. I thought Toyotas were only made after a lot of thought and with great detail in mind ?? Not so sure now!
    2. Both rear doors squeak. Granted we do not use these doors often, I have lubed/oiled them regularly.
    3. Rattle from the B pillar on driver’s side. Taken to the dealer multiple times and had some of the trim re-installed but this problem still continues.
    4. Passenger side door armrest trim cracking. I can't believe this.
    5. Driver side door trim that has the window switches is peeling paint. Again, I can't believe this crap.
    6. Hood does not prop up at all when lever pulled from inside the car. It will open without problems but at times it has been left open since
    it is easy to forget it is open since the hood seems perfectly aligned and no visual clue to remind that it is open.
    7. Ditto as above for the trunk. Both of these since day one and when taken to dealer they said, "Well, that’s the way it is".
    Bottom line for me:
    1. This model Camry is cheap, cheap, and cheap. Plastic quality is horrendous. Plastic trim pieces don't fit perfectly.
    2. The "attention to detail" factor is just plain missing.
    3. Seat fabric feels cheap esp. now after 4 years.
    4. I think Toyota seems to putting its good resources to Lexus and SUV products since they fetch a fat profit, and leaving the Camry’s and corollas to their inexperienced teams. While this makes immediate business sense, not taking care of its core and bread and butter products is going to come back someday and bite their [non-permissible content removed].
    5. '98 Camry: Very amateurish.
    6. I am done with you TOYOTA. When its time to buy a new car, I am going to HONDA. Asta La Vista, baby!!
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    What do the Japanese do on the lines that Americans don't...Can't we snap the plastic in place as well as they do? Are the cars coming from over there assembled differently with different parts and fasteners than their American counter-parts?
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    My guess would be the people who supply the parts are not the same. Thus the parts are not the same - like trim parts etc. Engines tranxaxle are probably the same. In Japan they probably control the vendors more here if like Gm it might be low bid. Seems someone who works for Toyota would log on and tell us.
    On GM cars I used to use the problems were with vendor supplied things like an arm rest or a washer fluid bottle. Sometime you would buy 3 of the things all made to the same drawing number - either GM would not revise the design spec, or the supplier kept screwing up on quality. the parts man at the Olds dealer told me 2 times when buying replacement parts "this one will break too, its the same as the one you have"
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