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Toyota Camry: Problems & Solutions
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Yes, it's been a year... I was all set to get the 2001 Camry but ;then,I found out that it was going to remodeled so I waited.... I am getting a 2002 Lunar Mist Camry... The 2002 Camrys are really nice! I'll have my 2002 Camry by this summer or sooner.... I am just double checking that there are no complaints about the 2002 Camry and I am glad to see that I am not getting any responses that are negative about the 2002 Camry because I like the 2002 Camry and I am defintely getting one.....
Chow! :-)
Here is an article from a few days ago about the Toyota oil sludging issue if you are not already aware of it from previous posts.
http://www.wusatv9.com/consumer/consumer_article.asp?storyid=4725
The other issues on the 2002 involves a couple of recalls that are listed on the NHTSA web page for the 2002 Camry. Also on the government's web page are 20 different owners complaints about a variety of issues, mushy brakes, electrical issues, etc. The most notable complaints listed are two fires that are alleged. The link is: www.nhtsa.gov
Still wondering if you Old, Camry Lovers have any opinions on WHAT YEARS WERE THE MOST
TROUBLE FREE?
The above quote from 'sunshine' certainly includes 1994! Hope 'Mom' has the same good luck.
Think anything before the 97 model year was great. Seems Toyota cheapened the car in post 97 years and this is also the semi re-designed engine that appears to be causing sludge.
Regarding the 1997 Camry - " What we see in the 1997 Camry is a car that's been cheapened in the company's attempt not only to reduce costs, but to reach the broadest possible audience."
http://detnews.com/AUTOS/9609/18/camry/camry.htm
Its the 1997 and on Camrys that are having the engine sludge problems.
Saw a 1993 powder blue XLE with the gold badging and double chrome tailpipes, that makes the new Camry models look pitiful. (The owner was not interesting in selling it.)
I have been reading posts on this site and others from angry Camry owners dissapointed in Toyota's new attitude about some of the problems with the recent models. i.e. "it's not Toyotas fault that you are having these issues." But it seems that old Camry tradins were reliable, well loved cars. Hence my cautious concern about 'What years were the best?" From the few post here on the subject, it looks like "anything older than 1997" So, I will start seriously looking for a 92 to 94 XLE. They won't have some of the bells and wistles of the newer models ,but the trade off might be the durablitiy, from the 'Old Camry Owners' favorable experience and the fact that I just don't like the stripped down, Eurobox looks of the newer ones. (I'm still a, chrome wheels and white wall tires, kinda person)
What was the best Camry power train in those Golden years? ..With an auto/tranny/ and air conditioning,...could the 4 cyl handle it?
I tried to read the complaints about the Camry that you talke about and I couldn't find them anywhere.... You said that it listed to alleged fires.. Could you tell me if it was the v6 or the 4 cylinder of the Camry?
Thank you.
Sunshine60105
Cap in the manual is "up to 4.4 l"
What is cap if you just remove the bottom "nut" drain and refill?
Even if you are already running GOOD tires on the Camry, one of them still could be out of round, and have a bulge that sets off the symptoms at 45 mph. Try a new set of tires anyway, the Camry will love you for it.
The NHTSA database is definitely a bit clunky and slow to use. Of the 21 complaints to the government on the 2002 Camry, there are two reports listed in the NHTSA database involving fires.
One complaint alleges that the "starter caught fire in a parking lot" and the second one alleges that smoke was coming out of the Camry and then it caught on fire. Its just raw information that is left up to the viewer to interpret, one way or another. No determinations are made or inferred, its just data. Nothing necessarily something to worry about.
Make: TOYOTA
Model: CAMRY
Year: 2002
ODI ID: 8000808
Make: TOYOTA
Model: CAMRY
Year: 2002
ODI ID: 899154
Didn't you have the upper end of your engine rebuilt at 57K miles due to the blue smoke at start up? I was wondering if maybe you actually did have the sludge problem but it was masked by the valve stem seal replacement you had done under warranty. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who got it fixed under warranty.
I have put on almost 1800 miles since last weekend and its current mileage is around 8500, and I have had no problem except this one since I bought it last Sept.
Just wondering if anybody has a clue to what happened to my Camry today. Is this a big concern that I should bring forward to my dealear?
Thanks for your comments.
Some Camrys have reportedly sludged with only 9000 miles on them. Since you have such low mileage its hard to believe it would acutally be affecting you yet. However, people have reported different symptoms including the engine losing power. But since your Camry restarted after a while, I doubt it is that. However, the sludge can apparently affect the PCV valve which in turn would cause other symptoms. One symptom has been a high rate of oil loss. What is your oil level?
http://www.wusatv9.com/consumer/consumer_article.asp?storyid=4725
Greenhorn, I wouldn't worry about sludge, since the 4-cylinder in the 2002 Camry is a new design, completely different from the 4-cylinder used in 2001 and earlier models. But I have no idea what happened to your car. I'd just monitor it for future occurrences and try to keep track of the conditions (speed, rpms, temperature) if and when it happens again.
I went to the dealer where I bought the car and described what happened. The manager had no comment on the power loss but recommended to have a transmission check-up next Monday. Their response to the smell was maybe there was some oil residue. I called another dealer and a guy told me to keep a close eye on it and if it happened again, they would give a check-up. Finally, I was able to make an appointment with a 3rd dealer for tomorrow afternoon and I will keep you folks updated.
BTW, I did a 5000-mile maintenance in Jan. Per the dealer's sticker, I would need to have the second oil change around 9000, but when I told them I intended to do the 10,000 maintenance, they told me no need for an oil change till then. Actually, I was even more confused when I got a letter from the dealer in Feb. reminding me I would need the 7500 maintenance service.
As for the oil level, I didn't get a chance to check today, but will have it checked tomorrow.
Thanks again for your help.
30K summary
Miles Covered: 29,927
Running Cost : $3,062.24
Running Cost per mile: 10.23 cents
Gas consumed: 1274.64 Gallons
Cost of Gas: $2,052.37
Average Economy: 23.5 MPG
Best: 30.2 MPG
Worst: 16.8 MPG
Maintenance Cost: $720.98
Maintenance Cost per mile: 2.4 cents
Gas Cost: $2052.37
Gas Cost per mile: 6.85 cents
Miscellaneous costs: 0.98 cents per mile
(Still working on Total Cost of Ownership with depreciation and insurance)
I came across this 'review', written 5 years ago....
"As part of its cost-reduction efforts, Toyota has greatly reduced the
number of parts on the '97 Camry. The new front bumper, for
instance, uses only 13 parts, compared with 20 for the old bumper.
Integrated grille and bumper fascia into a single part.
Front bumper system has fewer parts.
Less-expensive tires on four-cylinder models.
No chrome trim around windshield.
On-glass radio antenna replaces mast antenna on LE and XLE.
No front-seat assist handles.
Doors now single-seal, instead of triple-seal.
Fewer sensors for air bags.
Less expensive knobs and switches on heating/ventilation system.
Eliminated coupe and wagon models."
Now, 5 years later ,the 'Camry Problem Posters' could add lot more to that long list of other things that obviously went South!
Toyota insisted that all this was NOT Decontenting, but "re-engineering in a cost effective environment". Spin On Baby, but you just lost me as a new car buyer.
I'll keep looking for a 92 to 96' gold Badged, Powder Blue XLE
I assume they checked the oil right?
Just remember to keep good records of your oil changes.
If everything is running okay, I would just chalk it up as an anomaly and not worry about it. Yours is a 2002 Camry 4 cylinder right?
Enjoy your car.
I believe his post is in the last 40-60 messages on that board so you don't have to try and read that entire board.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002/04/04/toyota-sludge.htm
"Effective immediately, Toyota announces a Customer Support Program which will cover the cost of repairs on 5S-FE amd 1MZ-FE engines necessary due to oil gelling for 8 years, unlimited miles. This action removes the one-year limit on coverage that was orignially announced in the SPA. In addition, Toyota will cover reasonable incidental expenses for customers like towing and rental car expense as outlined in our Toyota Transportation Assistance Program. Also, to help you insure the highest level of customer satisfaction, we will reimburse you for all parts, labor, fluids and incidental expenses associated with the repair of affected vehicles. We will also add the 2002 model year vehicles with 1MZ-FE engines to the list of eligible vehicles...."
There is also a table attached for covered vehicles. The 2002 4 cylinder Camry and Solara are not listed. Per the manager, Toyota will honor its customers' efforts, as long as there's some proof of reasonable maintenance, regardless who actually provides the services. Hope this info can bring some relief to some Toyota owners.
I guess Toyota's SPA might become a MBA case for its studying some other MBA lessons. Anyway, I still feel Toyota's local services still have a lot to improve, at least from defensive to cooperative.
Please get real, guys. I'm making these decisions myself based on a very common sense
interpretation of the Town Hall Member Agreement. Certainly spreading false rumors undermines community enjoyment and confidence and is worthy of immediate deletion. Such assertions very very mean-spirited, and I am disappointed to see them.
Host
The good news is that anyone with half a brain knows it, knows who's behind them, and why they were made.
No question, you did the right thing Shifty!
On the other hand, deleting postings that suggest there was some nefarious reason behind it, while leaving the postings that RESPOND to those, leaves a rather strange history in this discussion.
There are now a bunch of posts remaining that respond to postings that aren't there.
Seems to me if you'd left all the postings up in this forum, people would have been able to tell pretty quickly who was making sense and who was posturing or rambling.
But I will review the posts and make more deletions as necessary, thanks for mentioning it.
Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with these? Is there a choice of unit that I should be asking for? Since this car has the transponder key, they've told me I need to sacrifice a key to go with the unit. I assume that is true (?).
In particular has anyone had any problems with these units down the road that I should be aware of in advance -- anything to ask for to try to make it trouble-free in cold weather? The point of having the unit is to start the car from my house in subzero temperatures and have it be warm before we get in.
Host
Pick up a magazine, lo and behold, more ads. Watch TV, more ads. Look at some buses, ads....
I guess this means Tire Rack paid off Edmunds right?
Here's a joke I heard at a US Defense symposium, told by a lawyer for the USMC:
What's black & tan and looks good on a lawyer?
A doberman pinscher
Bye!