1997 Toyota Camry complaints

DURING COLD WEATHER THE PISTON THAT RELEASES THE GAS HATCH DOOR FROZE TO THE HOUSING. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE THE GAS DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE PISTON BROKE IN HALF. SINCE THE PISTON WAS FROZEN IN PLACE, THE GAS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. OWNERS MANUAL DID NOT REFERENCE HOW TO DEFEAT THE MECHANISM AND DRIVER COULD NOT FILL WITH GAS. *NLM

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. *JB MADE ATTEMPT TO CONTACT CONSUMER 10/16/07, NO ANSWER *LJ RETURN USPS, MADE 2ND ATTEMPT 07/16/07 FAILED. *BF

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED BY PIECES OF METAL. *JB

STRONG ODOR IN CAR. CAUSES HEADACHES. TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO FIX PROBLEM AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. *NLM

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. PH *JB

VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.

THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE RUBBER CORRODED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS TYPE OF DETERIORATION DOES NOT NORMALLY OCCUR. *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. THE BRAKE PADS WERE CHANGED AT 5000 MILES YET THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED AT 37,000 MILES. *NLM

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT RATTLE PRESENT FOR TWO YEARS. ON 03/30/03 DURING A DRIVE AT 56 MILES/HR SPEED, STRUT RATTLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GREW WORSE SUDDENLY AND FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ON CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD, THE LEFT STRUT CENTER BOLT CAME OFF COMPLETELY AND ITS THREADS WERE COMPLETELY STRIPPED. STRUT CAME OFF THE MOUNT SLEEVE. AFTER A NEW STRUT IS PUT ON THE VEHICLE, THE DAMAGED STRUT IS CHECKED AND ITS TOP THREADS (WHERE THE CENTER NUT GETS FASTENED) WERE PARTIALLY STIPPED.

REAR DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE- STICKY LATCH. (I DO NOT HAVE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ). *NLM

POOR DESIGN AND BUILD - 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY LE (4 CYLINDER). I OWN A 1997 4-CYLINDER CAMRY LE. IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. A FEW MONTHS AGO, ITS STARTER WENT BAD AND WAS REPLACED. THIS MORNING, THE DEALER FOUND THAT ITS ENGINE VALVE SEALS WORN OUT AND MUST BE REPLACED (OVER $1000 REPAIR). I CHECKED THE INTERNET CAR FORUMS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1997 MODEL YEAR 4-CYLINDER TOYOTA CAMRY. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A POOR DESIGN AND BUILD PROBLEM. CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE PAYING A PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S POOR DESIGN AND BUILD. ALL 1997 4-CYLINDER CAMRY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY TOYOTA. *NLM

NAR 03-27-2003 MR THE CONSUMER HAD ONLY 49000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. OVER $400.00 IN REPAIRS MADE. *CB

MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF BRAKES.

THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG MODULE BLEW THE FUSE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSED THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO FAIL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. *NLM

AIR BAG COMPUTER SENSOR BAD AND SHUTS DOWN CAR WHILE ENGINE ON IN PARK. CAR DID NOT RESTART. SENSOR BLEW ENTIRE FUSE BOX FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE. *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION AT NORMAL SPEED, THE DEALER STATED THE TIRES WERE THE PROBLEM, WHICH WERE REPLACED AND A ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION AT NORMAL SPEED, THE DEALER STATED THE TIRES WERE THE PROBLEM, WHICH WERE THEN REPLACED AND A ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB

THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WORN, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 45,000 MILES.*JB *TS

DEFECTIVE ENGINE IN VEHICLE(1997 TOYOTA CAMRY LE) LEADING TO CONSTANT OPERATIVE PROBLEMS. THE STATED VEHICLE WAS REQUESTED FOR RECALL FOR ENGINE MALFUNCTION LAST YEAR AND I HAD VEHICLE DELIVERED BACK TO BOURNE TOYOTA OF3069 WASHINGTON RD AUGUSTA, GA 30907 (706-868-5454) FOR TECHNICAL SERVICE UNDER RECALL. ONE DAY AFTER RECALL WORK WAS DONE STATED VEHICLE HAD TO BE RETURNED NOW IM FACED WITH AN ENGINE REPLACMENT DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE BUILD UP. AN PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT ONLY BEEN PROBLEMATIC IN THE CAMRY LINE BUT WITH THE SIENNA, SOLARA, AVALON, & LEXUS MODELS AS WELL. HOWEVER BOURNE TOYOTA SAYS THAT ENGINE SLUDGE BUILD-UP IS MY PROBLEM DUE TO ME NOT GETTING THE OIL CHANGED ENOUGH. THE OIL WAS CHANGE ON PERIODIC INTERVALS SINCE RECALL WORK WAS DONE AND THIS IS JUST AN ATTEMPT BY BOURNE TOYOTA TO DENY MY CLAIM AND BILL FOR REPAIRS. IT WELL DOCUMENTED HOW TOYOTA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUGE BUILD-UP ARE BEING DENIED WARRANTY CLAIMS, AN ACT THAT I FEEL AS AN LOYAL CUSTOMER IS UTTERLY IRREPONSIBLE ON THE PART OF THE TOYOTA AND THERE DEALERSHIPS AS WELL. IM AN SCHOOL TEACHER ON AN LIMITED INCOME AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM BOURNE TOYOTA IN GOOD FAITH AND THIS WHOLE SITUATION HAS CAUSED ME FINANCIAL BURDEN IN CAR RENTAL BILLS SO I CAN GET TO WORK. I ASK FOR ANY ASSISTANCE OR DIRECTION IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER FULLY.

THE ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS ARE DEFECTIVE. WHEELS ARE DELAMINATING CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. PH

IN 2001, WHEN OPENING DRIVER'S DOOR FROM OUTSIDE WITH THE DOOR UNLOCKED THE FLAT PART OF THE HANDLE THAT IS FLUSH WITH THE OUTER BODY OF THE DOOR BROKE OFF FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE HANDLE FIXED INTO THE DOOR LEAVING A SHARP PIECE OF PLASTIC ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HANDLE AREA THAT MUST BE PRIED UP TO OPEN THE DOOR. IN THE SAME WEEK, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID THE SAME THING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT "THESE PLASTICS JUST DON'T HOLD UP WELL IN THIS SUN." I WAS ALSO TOLD IT WOULD COST $150 TO REPAIR THEM [AS OF JANUARY 2003 IT WOULD NOW COST $200 TO REPAIR THEM] AND THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS IN ITS FOURTH YEAR, THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. I AND MY WIFE HAVE BOTH BEEN CUT SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE IS STILL "THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR 36 MONTHS."

WHILE ACCELERATING THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION THE DRIVER NOTICED THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE BLEW DUE TO LACK OF OIL. *PH *NLM

FIRESTONE FR 690 TIRE SEPARATION AND BLOWOUT-TIRE DEFECTIVE. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT P18570R14 87S M+S

THE DEALERSHIP SOUTH BAY TOYOTA; GARDENA CA; 310-323-7800 IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL 99 V 307 000. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT STATED IN THE RECALL AND IS PRESENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. TS

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BEATS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY.

FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION AT STRUT MOUNTS MAKE A NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT 20 TO 30 MPH.

NAR 1/15/2003. 40% OF THE VEHICLES PAINT WAS PEELING OFF OF THE HOOD, ROOF AND TRUNK. *JB

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION. WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, VIEWED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA, AND IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE DIED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT A ROD HAD BLOWN A HOLE THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONED. SCC DEALER RECOMMENDED ENGINE BLOCK BE REPLACED. TIMING AND DRIVE BELTS REPLACED. *TT

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S FRONT RIGHT STRUT HAS BEEN DESTROYED. WHEN VEHICLE DRIVES OVER BUMPS IT MAKES LOUD NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

JUST STARTED RAINING I WAS CUT OFF AND BRAKED. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED AND I HIT THE MIDDLE MERIDIAN.

THE VEHICLES' FRONT BRAKE ROTOR CONTINUOUSLY WHOP, AND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TURNED THE ROTOR 6 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT SLUDGE AND OIL GELLING IN THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REPORTED SEEING SMOKE FROM THE VEHICLE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE MAIN BEARINGS, ROD BEARINGS AND THE OIL PUMP. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH INDICATING BRAKE PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATES TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING. CONSUMER STATES BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOUR TIMES. CONSUMER FEELS THERE A DEFECT IN THE BRAKES THAT ARE BEING PUT ON VEHICLE. MR MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM MET THE SATISFACTORY SPECIFICATIONS-DECLINED REPAIR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ELAPSED BRAKE WORK ON THE DATE OF 8/15/02 IN THE AMOUNT OF $659.44. SCC

CONSUMER STATES WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROX 25-30MPH AND IN TURN COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR

CONSUMER STATES WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROX 25-30 MPH AND IN TURN COLLIDED W/A VEHICLE IN FRONT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS BUCKLED AND COLLAPSED BACKWARD. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SEVERE WHIPLASH INJURIES AS A RESULT. MR

MODEL GRACO 74038NM DATED 10-11-01; WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY HYDROPLANED, SPINNED AROUND AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL. THIS CAUSED THE HARNESS STRAPS AND THE CLIP ON THE CHILD SEAT TO BREAK APART AND SEPERATE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TOTALED THE VEHICLE. NLM

CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE SEIZED W/O WARNING. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DLR WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTON WAS CRACKED. NLM

WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A SCREECHING SOUND AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER OF A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK ABOUT 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE NUMBER 2 AND NUMBER 4 CONNECTING RODS HAD COME OUT AND THE PISTON ROD WAS BROKEN. CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JG

CONSUMER STATES AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER. THEY REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS, WITHIN SIX MONTH OR LESS THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

WHILE TRAVELING, EXITING TOLL, OCCUPANTS HEARD A POP AND THEN STEERING STARTED JIGGLING. BEFORE ACTUALLY PULLING OVER TO INSPECT VEHICLE, SMOKE AND THEN FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH BY ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING OR CAUSE OF FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS BROKEN. THE SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE. THIS OF COURSE POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD TO PASSENGERS IN THIS SEAT. IT ALSO PRESENTS A LEGAL ISSUE BECAUSE A CHILD IS NORMALLY SEATED THERE WHO NOW CANNOT OPERATE THIS SEAT BELT. CONTACT WAS MADE ON 8/28/02 WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED . THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE SEAT BELT AT THEIR EXPENSE.*AK

THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT FROZE AND WILL NOT RETRACT OR RELEASE ADDITIONAL LENGTH. THREE TO FOUR MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS RETRACTING AND RELEASING. IT WILL PROBABLY FAIL COMPLETELY TOO, SOON. REPORTED TO DEALER WHO STATED IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA) WHO STATED THAT THE 5YEAR /60000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED FOR THIS COMPONENT. OPENED UP COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA WHO ADVISED US TO HAVE IT FIXED AND SEND THEM A COPY OF THE BILL. THE SUPERVISOR STATED THEY WILL "LOOK INTO IT, BUT CAN'T MAKE ANY GUARANTEES". WHEN QUESTIONED THEY ADMITTED THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A PRIMARY SAFETY COMPONENT IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN SAFETY DEFECT.*AK

TAIL LIGHT FUSES KEEP BLOWING OUT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRS SPLIT IN THE WIRE HARNESS DUE TO THE TRUNK BEING CLOSED ONTO IT. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE WAS PULLED OVER DUE TO NOT HAVING TAIL LIGHTS. *SLC

ENGINE EXPLODED - HOLE IN BLOCK ALOTS OF SMOKE NO FIRE- HAVE REPLACED CAR - ASKED TOYOTA TO RESEARCH UNUSUAL EVENT AT THEIR COST - THEY REFUSE - GOING TO SCRAP CAR BUT WORRIED ABOUT OTHER DRIVERS - I WANT NOTHING FROM TOYOTA. *AK

SEAT BELTS IN REAR SEATS FELL FALL APART WHEN BRAKING, CONSUMER'S GRAND CHILD FELL FORWARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *JB

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICE D A LOUD NOISE. SOON VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

FRONT AND REAR STRUTS FAILED, DEALER KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE. CAR IS UNSTABLE ON ANY UNEVEN ROAD OVER 25 MPH, ALL BUT BOTTOMS OUT, STEERING CORRECTION IS NEEDED ON THE SMALLEST OF BUMPS ABOVE 25MPH.*AK

MIDAS IN FORESTVILLE, MD DID NOT PUT ANY OIL IN MY CAR AND NOW THE ENGINE IS GONE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS IN PARKED POSITION AT DEPARTMENT STORE, SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER HOOD, #4 CRANKSHAFT ROD BROKE AND PENETRATED CAST IRON BLOCK, SPRAYING SHRAPNEL & HOT OIL THROUGH THE AREA, PENETRATING RADIATOR CORE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (CROWN TOYOTA, ONTARIO) FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PROBLEM AND ESTIMATE FOR SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS. TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED TWO DAYS LATER AND ADVISED IT WASN'T DUE TO DEFECTIVE TOYOTA PART(S). SERVICE MANAGER STATES HE CONTACTED DISTRICT MANAGER FOR TOYOTA'S WESTERN REGION, STATES THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT'S YOUR PROBLEM. WEEK PREVIOUSLY, OWNER RECEIVES LETTER FROM TOYOTA EXPLAINING "OIL GEL PROBLEM" ADVISED SERVICE MANAGER OF THIS ISSUE, STATES I NEED TO VERIFY OIL & MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THIS VEHICLE. SAME ARE PRODUCED FOR INSPECTION & "FORWARDED" TO DISTRICT MANAGER. TOYOTA'S POSITION IS TOO BAD IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY! VEHICLE IS TOWED TO PERSONAL MECHANIC, WHOM CHANGES ENGINE COMPONENTS & RADIATOR, STATES PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP BALANCER.*AK