1998 Toyota Camry complaints

I OWN A TOYOTA CAMRY 1998 MODEL. THE ENGINE OIL LEAKS NON-STOP. SEVERAL MONTHS BACK I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WITH THE TOYOTA COMPANY. IT STATED THAT ALL TOYOTA CAMRYS 1998 HAD AN ENGINE OIL LEAK DEFECT, AND AS PER THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT I COULD TAKE MY CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. ALSO, THAT IF I HAD INCURRED ANY COSTS TRYING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED ON MY OWN, TOYOTA WILL PAY SUCH COSTS TO THE OWNER. ACCORDINGLY, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOOK THE COPY OF THE NOTICE FROM ME AND INFORMED ME THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD CHECK AND FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IF THIS WAS THE CASE, THEN WHY WAS I SENT A NOTICE IN THE FIRST PLACE TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM FIX? THIS HAS BEEN A VERY FRUSTRATING AND EMBARRASSING EXPERIENCE. THIS IS MY COMPLAINT, AND I REQUEST HELP IN GETTING THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. *JB

CONTINENTAL TIRE NORTH AMERICA CLAIM # 6264005. **CC CONTINENTAL TIRE 195/70HR14, CONTI TS 772. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED NOV 2005 AND FAILED JULY 2006. THE TIRE BLEWOUT AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATES THAT IN DECEMBER OF 2001 3 OUT OF HER 4 DOOR HANDLES FAILED. THE ONLY ONE THAT DIDN'T FAIL WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, SINCE IT WAS RARELY USED. THEN ON DECEMBER 11 OF 2006 THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR HANDLE FAILED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERN BECAUSE ON 12/06/06 THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT SHE GOT REPAIRED IN DECEMBER OF 2001 FAILED, AS WELL AS THE REAR LEFT HANDLE DOOR SEEMS TO BE ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATES THAT ONCE THE DOOR HANDLE FAILS THERE ISN'T A WAY TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE AND THAT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN FOR HER. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES, THE FAILED DOOR HANDLE AND OR, INVOICES IF NEEDED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE BLEW. SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE INSPECTION DETERMINED A LIFTER ROD HAD FRACTURED AND BLOWN OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE CASING. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.

BLUE SMOKE COME FROM TAIL PIPE AFTER CAR SIT FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE FRONT RIGHT STRUT OR SOMETHING ON THAT SIDE RATTLE. THE DATE IS WHEN I FIRST HEARD THE NOISE BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HEARD THE NOISE A YEAR OR TWO AFTER PURCHASE,SHE HAD THE STRUTS CHANGED AND THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. *NM

I STARTED SMELLING GAS ODORS INSIDE OF THE CAR AFTER FILLING THE TANK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN JULY 2006 AND TOLD THEM THAT I ALSO SAW GAS DRIPPING ON THE GROUND. THEY FOUND NOTHING. I CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SMELL. TWO WEEKS AGO I SMELLED THE FUMES INSIDE AND SAW LEAK. DEALER REPLACED GAS TANK, SAYING THERE WAS RUST NEAR THE TOP OF THE TANK. MY CAR IS GARAGED, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND. *NM

GAS PEDAL CONSTANTLY STICKS. HAVE TO PRESS IT HARD TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY, ESPECIALLY AFTER STOPPING FOR LIGHT. UNABLE TO PROCEED NORMALLY WHEN LIGHT TURNS GREEN ,MUST GIVE THE GAS PEDAL A QUICK JOLT TO GO. TOYOTA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE FOR A RECALL. *NM

JUST RECENTLY MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WAS A RECALL PERHAPS AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS NOT AND I WAS SURPRISED ONLY BECAUSE THAT THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE IN EVENT THAT I WAS EVER IN A ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS HAVE NOT REACHED 10 YRS OLD YET AND THEY ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS NOW? WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT WHEN I HEARD THAT WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON YOUR AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING MEANING THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO CONSIDER OF A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *NM

GAS PEDAL STICKS. ONE DAY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP FROM A RED TO GREEN LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, SO I HAD TO PUSH DOWN HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL TO MAKE THE CAR GO. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR 98 CAMRY'S. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS COMING FROM 0 MPH GOING TO AN UNKNOWN SPEED TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE AND CONSUMES A LOT OF GAS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS FOR A RECALL. *NM

THIS DESCRIPTION IS IN REFERENCE TO A CONTINUING MECHANICAL ERROR THAT HAS AFFECTED MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE AND THE TERRIBLE WAY MY SITUATION HAS BEEN DEALT WITH BY TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. TO SUMMARIZE, AFTER A ROUTINE CHECK OF MY ENGINE OIL LEVEL ON OCTOBER 28TH, 2004, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BOTTOM 1- INCHES OF THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK HAD BROKEN OFF. THE PIECE WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND AND I IMMEDIATELY BECAME CONCERNED AS TO ITS WHEREABOUTS. AT THAT TIME, I VISITED MY LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AFTER EXPLAINING TO THEM THE SITUATION, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO WAY TO DETERMINE HOW THE BREAK ORIGINATED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE DIP STICK UNDER A MICROSCOPE IT WAS OBVIOUS THERE WAS A CLEAN BREAK ON THE METAL. THIS RULED OUT A BENDING OF THE DIP STICK, AND COULD ONLY MEAN THE METAL BROKE OFF BY RUBBING AGAINST ANOTHER PART OF THE ENGINE, WHICH WAS MY IMMEDIATE CONCERN. ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, I CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER CENTER TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF MY CONTINUED CONCERN. WE AGREED THAT OBVIOUSLY IF THE DIP STICK WOULD BE FOUND, THE CUSTOMER (MYSELF), WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THE LABOR, AS I WAS TAKING A PRO-ACTIVE APPROACH BY LOOKING INTO THE MATTER. ON THE 27TH OF SEPTEMBER, I VISITED TOYOTA TO GET THE WORK DONE. ONCE THE PAN WAS PULLED, THE 1- INCH PIECE OF THE DIP STICK WAS FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. UPON RE-INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE WITH THE DIP STICK MOUNTED NORMALLY, THE TECHNICIAN AND MYSELF WERE ABLE TO SEE NO INTERFERENCE. HOWEVER, ONCE

PULLING 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY INTO PARKING SPACE. FOOT ON BRAKE. PUT INTO PARK. CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING. TRIED REVERSE, DIDN'T STOP. TRIED PARK AGAIN STANDING ON BRAKES. DIDN'T STOP. WENT OVER CURB DOWN HILL INTO CREEK. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN FRONT OF CAR HIT BANK OF CREEK. SAW PUFF OF SMOKE AFTER HITTING BANK COME FROM UNDER CAR. TURNED CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY. *NM

ENGINE STARTS AND STALLS. RPM'S WON'T STAY UP. HAVE TO USE GAS AND BRAKE TOGETHER UNTIL IDLE STAYS UP ENOUGH TO KEEP CAR RUNNING. IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE REPLACED @ 38,315 MI ON 6/20/02. REPLACED AGAIN @ 45,703 MI ON 8/22/03. SERVICE MGR SAID THEY HAVE "CHANGED MANUFACTURERS, SO SHOULD BE OK NOW". PROBLEM RECURRED @ 56,000 MILES IN MID-JUNE. IT'S A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE, SO WILL RETURN TO DEALER IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. THIS AMOUNTS TO 3 REPLACED IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVES IN 20,000 MILES. SERVICE WILL REPLACE PART, BUT I MUST PAY LABOR. *JB

SEAT BELT ON MY 98 TOYOTA CAMRY MALFUNCTIONED WILL NOT RETRACT. MY 5 YEAR OLD WAS PULLING ON THE SEAT BELT AND PULLED IT OUT ALL THE WAY. DEALER SAID HE WOULD FIX FOR $200.00 I ASKED HIM WHY THEY DON'T FIX IT FOR FREE SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT'S WHAT THEY CHARGE. *JB

1998 CAMRY, 4 CYLINDER, 62650 MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 50 MPH SPEED, HEARD AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE ENGINE AND THE OIL DIP STICK WAS SHEARED IN TO 2 PIECES. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE THREW A ROD AND PUT A HOLE. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A REFURBISHED ONE AT A PRIVATE SHOP. CONTACTED THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, TOYOTA WILL NOT BE REPLACING THE ENGINE AND THE LEAST QUOTE FOR REPAIR WAS $4500.00 I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM A DEALER IN JAN 2001 AND HAVE HAD REGULAR SERVICE OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE DONE ON IT. IN FEB 2006 HAD THE 60K MILE SERVICE DONE. IN MAY 2002 HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA ABOUT POSSIBLE GELLING ISSUE WITH ENGINE OIL. SUSPECT THE ENGINE FAILURE IS A RESULT OF ENGINE OIL GELLING. THE FAILED ENGINE MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SHOP, NOT SURE. *JB

LOOSE TIRE AIR PRESSURE. VALVES AND TIRES CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES. NO EXPLANATION EVERY TWO TO THREE WEEKS I AM STOPPING TO PUT AIR IN TIRES. PSI SHOULD BE 35 BUT DROPS TO 20 WITH NO EXPLANATION. CAUSES DIFFICULTY IN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *JB

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN MAY 2000 STATING THAT HIS 1998 CAMRY HAD THE POTENTIAL OF OIL GELLING OR SLUDGING. *TS THE LETTER ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE DIAGNOSED BY THE PRESENCE OF BLUE SMOKE OR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE DIDN'T EXHIBIT ANY SIGNS OF A PROBLEM WHEN THE LETTER WAS RECEIVED. EVENTUALLY THE CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE ON STARTUP AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE LETTER WAS PRESENTED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT THE CONSUMER PAYING A FEE. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO PAY AND THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER DIAGNOSE OR FIXED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD TO PAY THE DEALER FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. *NM

MY MOTHER JUST HAD AN ACCIDENT THIS MORNING AND FROM HER DESCRIBING THAT 98 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND BREAK SEEMED NOT WORKING AT ALL. SO I STARTED LOOKING FOR VEHICLE RECALLS AND DEFECTS THEN I REALIZED THIS ACCIDENT MY MOTHER HAD COULD BE CAUSED BY DEFECTS. IF YOU JUST LOOK, YOU COULD EASILY FIND MANY OTHERS COMPLAINTS. SHE WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND TRYING TO CHANGE LANE THEN NEXT THING SHE KNOW WAS CAR STARTED TO SWERVING SO SHE TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL THEN HIT THE BREAK WHICH DID NOT FUNCTION. I WILL HAVE TO LOOK FOR LEGAL ADVISE WITHIN NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY. BY THE WAY AIR BAGS WERE NOT ACTIVATED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY LAWSUIT OR COMPENSATION FOR THIS KIND OF FATAL ACCIDENT. THANK YOU. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE. UPON PULLING OPEN THE DOOR HANDLE IT BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTO SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE HANDLE WAS MADE OF POOR QUALITY PLASTIC THAT WAS VERY FRAGILE. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY INCIDENT WITH THE DOOR HANDLE. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE DRIVER-SIDE REAR SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. I CHOSE NOT TO GET IT REPLACED, BECAUSE MY CHILD RIDES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NOW THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. MY CHILD IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO SIT IN A BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BACK, AND IT IS VERY AWKWARD TO USE THE CENTER SEAT WITH THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF HIS BOOSTER. I WILL BE SPENDING NEARLY $600 TO GET THE SHOULDER BELTS REPLACED. *NM

CONSUMER MECHANIC FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE COLUMN POST ABOUT TO COME LOOSE SO THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. *TS THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WERE NOT COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED. PARTS WERE ON TOP OF THE AIR BAG BUT NOT INSTALLED. *JB

A PROBLEM WITH WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST WHEN STARTING THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME EACH DAY. BURNS OFF QUICKLY BUT SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS AT ALL. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM MAY BE A VALVE LIFTER, BUT THAT THIS CAR IS TOO NEW FOR THAT. CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT. CONCERNED ABOUT SMOKE AND FIRE OR EMISSIONS PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS RATED FOR CA EMISSIONS AND WAS MADE IN JAPAN. *JB

DT: THE STEAM SEAL VALVE IS LEAKING OIL TO THE CHAMBER OF THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN APRIL 2005. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD AND IT IS STARTED THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

DT: WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN THE RAIN ON 8/28/2002 THERE WAS A TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT WITH THE TAILGATE DOWN. THE DRIVER WAS TALKING ON HIS CELL PHONE. WHILE GOING OVER A HILL IN TRAFFIC, THE TRUCK IN FRONT HAD BAD BRAKE LIGHTS. THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT 30 YARDS IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS IN THE LEFT LANE, HIT THE BRAKES AND THE FRONT END OF THE CAR DROPPED DOWN AND SLID INTO THE BACK OF TRUCK. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COULD NOT SWERVE AROUND TRUCK BECAUSE THERE WAS A CAR ALONGSIDE. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER CUT HIS HAND AND FACE BUT REFUSED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FIXED IT. THE CONSUMER RETURNED IT TO TOYOTA BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *AK *SC

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE WHEN HE REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS OBSTRUCTING THE PEDAL. HE MANAGED TO RELEASE THE OBSTRUCTION AND PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS . IT APPEARED TO BE A PIECE OF THE AIR DUCT WHICH SOMEHOW CAME LOOSE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE PART TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS AND WHERE IT CAME FROM. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE PART WASN'T VITAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE THEREFORE THE CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE IT REPLACED/FIXED. THE CONSUMER HAS THE PART IN HIS POSSESSION. *AK *NM

DT: ON 7/7/05, THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED BY OWNER. SHE RECEIVED RECALL SSCXOC6 NOTICE, BUT DID NOT RECALL WHETHER SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER BEFORE OR AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE. OWNER CALLED TOYOTA TO HAVE THEM CHECK RECALL LETTER TO SEE IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE WORK DONE. TOYOTA TOLD OWNER SHE HAS HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE. THE VEHICLE IWASREGULARLY SERVICED. THE LOCATION OF THE WORK WAS THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY.*AK

DT: THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK ON THE LEFT LOCKED ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO, COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT. ABOUT 6 WEEKS LATER THE RIGHT ONE WOULD NOT RETRACT. TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA, AND WAS TOLD IT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER , DID HAVE THEM REPLACED, BUT THEY WERE HARDLY EVER USED. *AK

CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY HER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER SHE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. *JB

REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FROM CONSUMERS. I BELIEVE IT IS TIME THE MANUFACTURER TOOK NOTE OF THIS PROBLEM.

1998 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, 4 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. STATER KEPT CRANKING EVEN WITH KEY REMOVED UNITL THE CAR WAS ON FIRE.

WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT TURN, THE STEERING CONTINUED TO TURN RIGHT AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A STONE WALL. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONSUMERS SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND BACK PAIN DUE TO HITTING HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

I BROUGHT MY 98 CAMRY INTO TOYOTA CITY IN MAMARONECK, NY ON 11/6/03 BECAUSE OF BLUE SMOKE THAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. SEALS WERE REPLACED BUT THERE WAS STILL LEAKING OF OIL. ON 6/2/04 THE CAMRY HAS MORE REPAIRS DONE WITH GASKETS AND SEALS REPLACED BUT STILL THERE WAS OIL LEAKING . I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO HAVE THE LEAK CHECKED AND I AM ALWAYS TOLD THERE IS NO LEAK. I HAVE SMOKE COMING INTO THE CAR FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND PUT A QUART OF OIL IN EVERY WEEK. *NM

ACCELERATOR PEDAL FREQUENTLY STICKS CAUSING CAR TO SURGE WHEN DRIVER DEPRESSES PEDAL. REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACK. TOYOTA ADVISED THAT THEY DO NOT WARRANTY THEIR SEAT BELTS AFTER 36,00 MILES. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS CONTRIBUTED BY FREQUENTLY USING CHILD SEATS. *JB

ABS, TRACTION LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF. *NM

MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMERY ALWAYS BURNED SOME OIL.THEN AT ABOUT 108000 MILES IT STARTED BURNING OIL AT A RAPID PACE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO TOYOTA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT FOR THE OIL SLUDGING PROBLEM ,WHICH THEY KNOW OF.THEY SAID MY ENGINE IS SHOT AND I DID NOT HAVE THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, SO THEY WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS.THEY SAID ONE REASON I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM IS BECAUSE I CHANGED OIL EVERY 3000 MILES.*AK

WE OWN A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY VIN [XXX], AND WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS CAR. ABOUT A ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, WE REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT FOR APPROXIMATELY $400.00. THE CAMRY HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WHEN IT IS COLD, AND THE HAYWARD CALIFORNIA TOYOTA DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US ANOTHER $400.00 TO REPLACE THE SAME PART THAT THEY REPLACED ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO. THE PART IS A TOYOTA MANUFACTURING PART, AND IT COST ABOUT $250.00. TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PART, AND IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS. I HAVE TALKED WITH A NUMBER OF AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, AND THEY KNOW THAT THIS PART FAILS ON THE TOYOTA CAMRY. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CORPORATION REFERENCE NUMBER [XXX], BUT I DO NOT FEEL TOYOTA WILL ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM, AND I FILED THE COMPLAINT ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU DISCOVER. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ALL 4 STRUTS WORN-OUT AND LEAKING ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 60,000 MILES . DRIVING WITH BAD STRUTS WAS HORRIBLE! VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE. WAS TOLD BY AUTO SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1998 CAMRY. THE RESULT WAS A REPAIR BILL OF $800.00. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL 4 STRUTS SO REPLACED ONLY 2 AT A COST OF $500.00!!*AK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: OPENED GARAGE DOOR WITH REMOTE. STEPPED LIGHTLY ON GAS PEDAL TO ENTER GARAGE. CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. STEPPED ON BRAKES BUT CAR DID NOT STOP. CAR CRASHED THROUGH INTERIOR GARAGE WALL AND THROUGH CLOSET IN ADJOINING BEDROOM. COUSE OF PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED. REPAIR NOT COMPLETED.*AK

OWNER DRIVING VEHICLE, CAME TO A STOP, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, ENGINE BLEW A ROD THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION WITHIN 15 MINUTES. VEHICLE INVESTIGATION FOLLOWED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUILD UP OF SLUDGE FROM ENGINE OIL. COMPANY DECLINED TO FULFILL WARRANTY OBLIGATION BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE CAR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTER REVIEWING THE TIRE, THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CENTER HAD SEPARATED. *JB *TC

THE CHILD WAS FASTENED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CHILD LEANED OVER TO LAY IN THE SEAT AND SLIPPED HER HEAD AND SHOULDER IN THE CENTER RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT. WHEN THE CHILD MOVED SUDDENLY TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AROUND HER NECK, STRANGLING HER. THE MORE THE CHILD MOVED TO FREE HERSELF THE TIGHTER THE BELT BECAME. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE SCISSORS TO CUT THE BELT OFF THE CHILD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP WHO REPLACED THE BELT AND RETRACTOR. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER STATED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE UNBALANCED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

PROBLEM WITH SUSPENSION. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

1. THE AUTOMOBILE WOULD SHIMMY, SHAKE AND STOP OPERATING SUDDENLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS LEAD TO SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENT SCENARIOS. . WHEN THE AUTOMOBILE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF IT PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM PROCEEDING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND AT INTERSECTIONS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. 3. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR. BRAKE REPAIRS WERE DONE BUT THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THIS RESULTED IN ANOTHER VERY DANGEROUS NEAR ACCIDENT DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION IN WHICH THE AUTO WOULD NOT START AFTER SHAKING AND COMING TO A VIOLENT HALT.*AK

ON A COLD START, THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE FAILED. THE CAR WAS TAKING TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PART WAS REPLACED. OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

I SHIFTED FROM "PARK" TO "DRIVE", THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY CABLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. A DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE PART IN STOCK, UPON ARRIVAL I WAS TOLD PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME FOR PURCHASE. I SPECIAL ORDERED & PAID FOR THE PART & WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE IN 8/11/04. ON THAT DATE I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NONE OF THESE CABLES IN THE U.S., THE EARLIEST ETA WAS 8/16/04. THIS WAS REVISED BY SANDY, TOYOTA PARTS DELAY TEAM, TO ETA 8/18/04.

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT FOR 40-4000046657. *JB

AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS,THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTS SINKING DOWN AND VEHICLE STARTS MOVING EVEN WHEN MAXIMUM BRAKE FORCE IS APPLIED.CUSTOMER PAID THE DEALER REPLACE THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER ON 04/10/2003 AND THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED IT WOULD COST $90 JUST TO TEST THE SYSTEM. *NM

THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF MY CAR IS PEELING OFF. IT FIRST BEGAN TO BUBBLE AND THEN PEEL. THE AREAS ARE VERY LARGE AND IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. I BELIEVE IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PAINT JOB BECAUSE THE REST OF THE PAINT IS FINT. *AK

THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BOLTS NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *AK NO PARTS WERE REPLACED, THE BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED. *SC *JB