2002 Toyota Camry complaints

TREAD IS SEPARATION AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 CAMRY. IN 2006 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND THE CAR WOULD START TO STALL, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TOYOTA ON 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. EVERYTIME I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.. SO THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I NOTICE THE PROBLEM WHEN I CAN NOT ACCELERATE BETWEEN 30-50 MPH IN THE FIRST 5 -10 MIN OF DRIVING. THE CAR WILL THEN START TO STALL. ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IF I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE OR TWO WHAT EVER THE PROBLEM IS RESETS ITS SELF. I AM AFRAID ONE DAY THERE WILL BE NOWHERE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND I WILL GET HURT VERY BADLY. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. RECENTLY MY VSC LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO DEALER TO BE FIXED AND REP TOLD ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND NOT A BIG DEAL. WHEN THE ROAD IS WET THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO GET THE TRACTION CONTROL. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO GET DEALER TO RESET. *TR

PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ON 2/8/2008 AT 8:55PM THERE WERE 2-3 EPISODES WITHIN A 6 YEAR PERIOD WHEN ANA LOPEZ FELT THE VEHICLE MILDLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS. THE EPISODES WERE SO MILD THAT SHE QUESTIONED HERSELF WHETHER THE CAR TRULY ACCELERATED AND SO SHE NEVER HAD THE CAR INSPECTED. HOWEVER, ON 2/8/2008 AT 8:55PM WHILE DRIVING HOME HEADING SOUTH ON THE VETERANS EXPRESSWAY IN TAMPA SHE EXPERIENCED WHAT SHE DESCRIBES AS THE MOST FRIGHTENING EVENT IN HER LIFE. THE FIRST SIGN THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING WRONG WAS THE DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF SO SHE MADE AN ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER SO SHE COULD CALL HER HUSBAND AND MAKE HIM AWARE OF HOW THE CAR WAS PERFORMING. AS SHE BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND VEERING OFF THE ROAD ON THE OUTSIDE LANE, WHICH WAS WITNESSED, THE VEHICLE MAD A VERY POWERFUL ACCELERATION ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD ACCELERATION SOUND AND LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY AS THE CAR BEGAN TO STEER TO THE LEFT GOING BACK INTO TRAFFIC LANES. SHE FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOW CONTROLLING ITSELF AND SHORTLY AFTER BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE BARRIER WALL AND CAME TO A FINAL REST ON THE RIGHT SOUTHBOUND LANE. ANA LOPEZ SUFFERED MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO HER RIGHT LEG AND SPENT 2 MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL AND REHAB UNIT WHERE SHE SUFFERED GREATLY WITH PAIN AND CONTINUES TO SUFFER FROM PAIN AND DEBILITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTOR AT HER HOME AND NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. BUT THE INSPECTION WAS A PRE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS SUMITOMO TIRES. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR DRIVING UP TO 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD HYDROPLANE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS BALD ON THE ONE YEAR OLD TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SEARS REPAIR SHOP FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. ON EACH VISIT, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DOT NUMBER, TIRE LINE, AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,444. UPDATED 03/12/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/13/09. *JB

AT SUBZERO TEMPERATURE (BELOW 0) CAR STARTS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON (ERROR CODE P1128), TRACTION CONTROL AND VSC DISABLED. IDLE AT 600-800 RPM. ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION PEDAL, SO CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. AFTER WARMING ENGINE UP AND ERASING ERROR CODE FROM ECU CAR DRIVES NORMALLY. *TR

WHEN IT IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F. OUTSIDE THE CARS THROTTLE BODY WILL FREEZE SHUT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT OPERATE AND THE CAR NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN A WARM ENVIRONMENT TO WARM IT TO ABOVE FREEZING, AND THE CAR WILL OPERATE WELL. THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT BY TOYOTA AND TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IT WILL COST APPROX $1200. THIS IS A DEFECT ON THE PART OF TOYOTA. IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF AGE, AND IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

FAILURE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY ( 1 OR 2 SECOND HESITATION) I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR 2 YEARS AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER EACH TIME BUT THAT FIX ONLY LASTED ABOUT 1200 MILES EACH TIME. DEALER SAYS ENGINE FALLS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS AND REFUSED TO DO ANY MORE TO FIX THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY - I HAVE NOW 34,000 MILES AND I GET SCARED WHEN I PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR TEMPORARY STALLS THE SLOW ACCELERATION. *TR

INSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE CHROME COATING HAS CRACKED AND PEELED REVEALING A SHARP EDGE THAT CUTS THE FINGERS OF THE PERSON PULLING THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. PERMANENT REPAIR REQUIRES REMOVING THE INSIDE DOOR PANELS AND INSTALLING NEW HANDLES. *TR

AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SWITCHING THE CAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE CAR ACCELERATED QUICKLY FORWARD CRASHING INTO TWO PARKED CARS AND FINALLY STOPPING AFTER HITTING A CONCRETE STRUCTURE. APPLYING THE BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED BEFORE WITH THIS CAR. *TR

THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE CAR WHERE YOU OPEN THE DOOR AT BREAK. THIS IS FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FROM JUST OPENING THE DOORS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS GREATER THAN 61,000. UPDATED 12/30/08 *CN THE DOOR HANDLES WERE CRACKED. UPDATED 12/30/08. *JB

VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING (WHITE SMOKE) I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER HE ADVISED THAT THE PRIOR YEAR VEHICLES HAD A DEFECT OF THE MOTOR SLUDGING UP BUT MY MODEL HAD BEEN REDESIGNED AND THAT IT WAS DUE TO ME NOT CHANGING THE OIL FILTER MY HUSBAND OWNS A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD DONE THE OIL CHANGES AND REPLACED THE FILTERS THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER 50,000 BUT DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM. *TR

THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN MY GARAGE. I HAD BACKED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH THE CAR IN PARK WHILE I REMOVED THE GARBAGE CONTAINER AND UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR ABOUT 1 MINUTE LATER, I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED THE CAR INTO DRIVE. IMMEDIATELY, THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A VERY HIGH SPEED AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY FOOT REMAINED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL AT THE REAR OF MY GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED MINIMIZING MY INJURIES. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY - THE FRONT END WAS BADLY SMASHED AND THE FRAME WAS BENT. THE TOTAL ESTIMATE TO REPAIR WAS IN EXCESS OF $9000. THE TOTAL TRAVEL OF THE CAR WAS 26 FEET. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST THE CAR ACCELERATED TO, HOWEVER IN THE 60,000 MILES THAT WE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR, I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS HIGH DEGREE OF ACCELERATION. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN I HAD FIRST RE-ENTERED THE CAR JUST PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A FAST ENGINE IDLE AT ALL. ALSO, I OBSERVED AFTER THE CRASH THAT MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING LODGED BENEATH THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

REPLACEMENT OF WHEEL BEARING AND BRAKES REQUIRED FOR 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, 64K MILES, NO RECORD OF ACCIDENTS. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT ONE WILL BEFORE LONG WHEN WHEEL BEARING AND/OR BRAKES FAIL. *TR

MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY GOT STUCK IN REVERSE AND ACCELERATED CAUSING A 5 CAR ACCIDENT IN A PARKING LOT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS B.F. GOODRICH TRACTION T/A TIRES, SIZE 205/65R15 (NA). THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES HAS CRACKS ON THE FIRST AND LAST ROWS. B.F. GOODRICH OFFERED TO GIVE THE CONTACT NEW TIRES AT A 40 PERCENT DISCOUNT. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,453. UPDATED 08/14/08 *BF UPDATED 08/14/08

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE REAR BACK SPEAKERS DISINTEGRATED! THEY CRACKED AND THEN JUST CRUMBLED WHEN I TOUCHED THEM. *TR

TWO COMPLAINTS (1) HEADLIGHTS ARE DELAMINATING WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A COMMON, EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. (2) INSIDE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE SO I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE LEARNED ARE QUITE COMMON TO OTHER CAMRY OWNERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR CAME DOWN AND STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE EYE. THE GLASSES SHE WAS WEARING PREVENTED THE INJURY FROM BEING SEVERE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND LEARNED THAT THE COVER TO THE COMPARTMENT AND THE MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS THE SUNROOF FAILED. SHE WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE COMPARTMENT UNTIL SHE RETURNED HOME, BUT IT WOULD NOT COMPLETELY LATCH BACK TOGETHER. THE SUNROOF HAS NEVER BEEN USED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08 *JB

3/21/2008 CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY. TOWED 50 MILES INTO DEALERSHIP ALAMO TOYOTA, SAN ANTONIO, TX =NOT WHERE PURCHASED 100 MILES FROM RESIDENCE. TOLD ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS SHEERED OFF INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH CAUSED CRACK. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER FOUND SALVAGE ENGINE WITH 37000 MILES ON IT. OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE PROOF OF THE MILEAGE. DEALER KEPT USED ENGINE $4,000.00+. INCLUDED USED LONGBLOCK, OIL, OIL FILTER COOLANT REAR MAIN SEAL, FIPC, RADIATOR CLEANING. OWNER RENTED AT OWN EXPENSE RENTAL VEHICLE. TOLD CAR WAS REPAIRED. PICKED CAR UP DROVE OFF LOT, TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK INTO DEALERSHIP. CAR WAS MISFIRING. HAD TO LEAVE CAR AGAIN. ADDITIONAL $235.00 TO REPLACE 4 COILS APRIL 11,2008. ON MAY 2 2008, A/C STOPPED COOLING. TOOK CAR INTO CHAMPION TOYOTA, AUSTIN TEXAS. $613.00 FOR AC CONDENSER, CONDENSER ASSY, RELAY, WARRANTY. AC CONDENSER LEAKING, PROBABLY DAMAGED DURING RADIATOR CLEANING AT ALAMO TOYOTA. *TR

3 FLAT TIRES FAULTY VALVE STEMS IN ALL 3 TIRES REPLACED THE 3 VALVE STEM. REPLACED VALVE STEM PART NUMBER IS TR414. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TIRE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. WITHIN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS, THE THREE REMAINING VALVE STEMS FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE TIRE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVE STEMS. THE STEMS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE THE TR418, MANUFACTURED BY DILL AIR CONTROLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

THE DOOR HANDLE LOCK RELEASE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD BROKEN WHEN I PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE TO GET OUT. HAD THIS BEEN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION SUCH AS A VEHICLE IMMERSION AND IF THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE POWER WINDOWS, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO REACH OUT AND RELEASE THE DOOR LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. *TR

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY FROM ARLINGTON TOYOTA, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA- NEW IN DECEMBER 2001. WE HAVE ALWAYS OWNED TOYOTAS WITH NO PROBLEMS. PRESENTLY THE CAR HAS 64,000 MILES. ON JUNE 26 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THEN WENT OFF, AFTER THAT THE A/C STOPPED WORKING. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO COGGIN TOYOTA AT THE AVENUES ON JUNE 28 AND WERE GIVEN A BILL OF $1154 WITH AN EXPLANATION THAT THE ENTIRE A/C CONDENSER ASSEMBLY, AIR FLOW SENSOR AND AIR FUEL SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. OBVIOUSLY WE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS AND HAVE IT DONE AS WE'RE GOING OUT OF TOWN AND HAVE A CHILD WHO RIDES IN THIS CAR REGULARLY, BUT THIS IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS. FOR THIS AGE OF A CAR, AND SUPPOSEDLY BEING THE MOST RELIABLE AND HIGHLY RATED CAR FOR THAT YEAR THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY BAD ACCIDENTS AND IS NOT DRIVEN EXCESSIVELY. ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IS PERFORMED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT ON TOYOTA'S PART AND NEEDS TO BE COMPENSATED FOR. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY THIS MUCH FOR A REPAIR ON THIS TYPE OF CAR, WHETHER OR NOT THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. I EXPECTED MUCH MORE FROM TOYOTA THAN WE HAVE PRESENTLY EXPERIENCED AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED. WE HAD PLANNED TO PURCHASE A NEW SIENNA WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS BUT NOW WILL LOOK ELSE WHERE. ************ KRISTI B. GABRIEL, LMT, BA, MBA HEALING WATERS THERAPY *TR

VACUUMING MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT I HAD MOVED THE DRIVER SEAT FORWARD FINISHED VACUUMING I TRIED TO MOVE THE SEAT BACK TO THE POSITION I HAD IT,WOULD NOT BUDGE SO I THOUGHT MAYBE A BAD FUSE NO THE FUSE WAS GOOD SO I THOUGHT THE MOTOR WOULD BE BAD AND HAVE TO WAIT TILL MONDAY TO TAKE INTO TOYOTA. AT TOYOTA I RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION THAT THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY HAS EITHER SEIZED OR WAS FROZEN AND TO REPAIR THIS PART WOULD BE $1,200.00 I HAVE NEVER HEARD SUCH A THING AS TRACK WERE YOU ARE SITTING FREEZE OR SEIZE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ERRATICALLY SHIFTS. WHILE ACCELERATING UP AN INCLINE AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR, IT FEELS STUCK ON SECOND GEAR AND THEN POPS INTO THIRD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN EITHER NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER OF 2007, BUT THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH A MECHANIC FOR OVER A WEEK, BUT THEY STILL CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS SHEERED OFF INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH CAUSED THE CORNER OF THE ENGINE TO CRACK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AS OF JUNE 6, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE

I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY NEW AND RECENTLY NOTICED THE CAR BLOWING BLUE SMOKE ON START UP IN THE MORNINGS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER WHERE THEY DID AN EVAL. THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT I HAVE THE VALVE STEM SEALS REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $2,000.00. I WAS SHOCKED. MY CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 77,000 MILES. HOW COULD THIS BE? I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR, GETTING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES (AND HAVE THE RECEIPTS AND RECORDS TO PROVE IT. IN FACT THE DEALER HANDLED ALL THE OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE FOR ME, UP TILL THE LAST 2 OIL CHANGES.) I KNOW THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR AN OIL SLUDGE/GEL PROBLEM, WHICH AFTER READING EVERYTHING ON THE INTERNET, I BELIEVE IS PROBABLY THE REAL ISSUE WITH MY CAR, BUT EVERYTHING I'VE READ SAYS IT ENDED WITH THE 2001 CAMRY MODELS. HAVE YOU HEARD OR RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2002 MODELS AS WELL? ANY INFORMATION OR ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE ME WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED! *TR

AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN THE GEARS SWITCHES IT MAKES THE NOISE. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL NO PROPER FIX. BEEN THIS WAY FORM AT LEAST TWO YEARS. *TR

BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY AND IT TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT WENT ACROSS THE STREET AND HIT A TREE EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CHARCOAL CANISTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,630. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED *JB 07/15/08

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING A TRIP TO LEXINGTON, KY ON A SATURDAY. I EXPERIENCED A BAD SHIFT ON ONE OCCASION DURING THAT TRIP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. WAS TOLD THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS GOING BAD. COST TO REPAIR WAS APPROX $800. ELECTED NOT TO REPAIR CAR AT THAT TIME. I HAVE APPROX 127000 MILES ON CAR AND JUST PAID IT OFF LAST DECEMBER. WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THIS VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 25 AND 40 MPH. I PARKED CAR AND BEGAN TO DRIVE MY OLDER VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD GET IT BACK INTO DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON FEB 14 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. I HAD ALL OF COMPLETED TRANSMISSION SERVICES DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED DURING DRIVING AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ME BEING REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE QUALITY OF TOYOTA VEHICLES AS I HAVE READ ABOUT THEIR ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND OTHER PEOPLE WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE. AS A RESULT, THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF FEBRUARY 7, 2008, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000. UPDATED 3/1/08 *CN UPDATED 03/11/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. BEGINNING ON AUGUST 14, 2007, THE VEHICLE'S GEARS WOULD SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT, KNOWLEDGE, AND NEED FOR A NEW BATTERY. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $4,432. IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT SWITCH GEARS OR ALLOW THE CONTACT TO DRIVE ABOVE 10-15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON DECEMBER 13, 2007 AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED ONCE MORE UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY FOR THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE DUST BOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT HAS THE DUST BOOT AVAILABLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,083.

PASSENGER INSIDE VEHICLE WENT TO EXIT VEHICLE AND INSIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED AND BROKE. HANDLE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT COST OF $78.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 EVENFLO DISCOVERY, MODEL NUMBER 4791255P1 CHILD SEAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACES THE CHILD SEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK SEAT, THE BASE IS VERY UNSTABLE. SHE DOES NOT LIKE TO PLACE THE CHILD BY THE WINDOWS AND FEELS THAT THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT IS THE SAFEST PLACE. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HER MOM OWNS THE CAR AND JENNIFER ROMERO IS THE COMPLAINANT. UPDATED 02/20/08 *TR

BRAKES HAVE A LONG STOPPING DISTANCE; EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS. MECHANICS CAN'T FIX IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE IT WAS BROUGHT NEW. *TR

INSIDE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE DID THE SAME THING IN 2003. *TR

JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED (5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS) THE ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHT CAME UP WITH THE GENERIC P0770 CODE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT TRANSMISSION/SOLENOID FAILURE PROBLEM FOR FEW TOYOTA MODELS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CANADA FOR SUPPORT IN THIS MATTER TO ONLY EXPERIENCE MORE DISAPPOINTMENT. AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT A RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST WOULD NOT TAKE LONGER THAN SEVEN TO TEN BUSINESS DAYS, I HAD TO FOLLOW UP WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE ON FEW OCCASIONS, BY E-MAIL AND PHONE, UNTIL FINALLY RECEIVING A RESPONSE AFTER SIX WEEKS ? A NEGATIVE ONE. MY CURRENT DISAPPOINTMENT IS NOT SO MUCH DUE TO THE FACT THAT TOYOTA TOOK SUCH A LONG TIME TO REPLY, BUT TO THE INFLEXIBILITY PROVEN BY THOSE WHO ANALYZED AND ?SOLVED? MY CASE. ALSO, THEY SEEM TO SEND "CANNED MESSAGES". BUT, TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, HERE ARE THE QUICK FACTS ABOUT MY CAR AS ALSO PRESENTED IN MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE: 1. THE SOLENOID FAILURE WAS FIRST REPORTED AT 43,000 KM (25,000 MILES) WHEN THE CAR WAS 4 YEARS OLD, WELL UNDER WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED AND THE CODE RESET. BUT THE CODE REAPPEARED WHEN THE CAR WAS FIVE YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS OLD, AND ONLY 67,000 KM (40,000 MILES). JUST 4 MONTHS OUT OF THE OFFICIAL WARRANTY. 2. THE PROBLEM MY CAR HAS IS COMMON FOR TOYOTA CARS. ALTHOUGH THE P0770 CODE I GOT IS A GENERIC CODE, A GOOGLE SEARCH RETURNS ONLY TOYOTA REPORTED ISSUES IN THE FIRST 40 RESULTS. MY CAMRY HAS TRANSMISSION U1

AT ABOUT 105,000 MILES ON MY 2002 CAMRY V6, THE CAR EXPERIENCED HESITATING DRIVING WHILE DRIVEN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH WHEN REMOVING SLIGHTLY THE FOOT FROM THE THROTTLE PEDAL. THE CAR IS BUCKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD FOR INDEFINITE TIME UNTIL THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED OR FULLY PRESSED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION SINCE ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED CANNOT BE DECREASED OR INCREASED ANY TIME. NOTIFIED DEALER AND TOLD THAT THIS CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED SINCE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE GENERATED (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON). REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS AT 108,000 MILES ON AUG 24, 2007. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. SPOUSE NOTICED INCREASED BUCKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. PERFORMED TEST DRIVE WITH TECHNICIAN IN THE CAR AND THE DIAGNOSE SYSTEM HOOKED TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. DETECTED SOME MISFIRES ON CYLINDERS 5 AND 6. REPLACED SOLENOID IGNITION PACKS FOR CYLINDER 5 & 6 AND TEST DROVE AGAIN. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT FUEL INJECTORS ARE CLOGGED. PERFORMED FUEL INJECTORS PURGE (CLEANING). PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL FUEL INJECTORS AND SOLENOID IGNITION PACKS. CAR WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY DURING THE OWNERSHIP. OIL & FILTER CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES, REPLACED AIR FILTER EVERY 30,000 MILES, REPLACED TIMING BELT AND BELT TENSIONERS AT 87,000 MILES, REPLACED WATER PUMP AT 87,000 MILES, FLUSHED TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 87,000 MILES. FROM READING VARIOUS CUSTOMERS COMPLAINTS, IT APPEARS TO BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT DEALER DID NOT MENTI

I PURCHASED A 2002 CAMRY (NEW) AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS FRONT DOOR HANDLES DUE TO BREAKAGE, WERE NOT TALKING EXCESSIVE FORCE HERE. THIS IS THE PART YOU PUT YOUR FINGERS IN TO PULL OPEN DOOR LATCH. THEY ARE BREAKING AT THE PIVOT POINT, WHERE THE PIN GOES THROUGH. TOYOTA IS CHARGING $37.00 APIECE FOR AN ITEM THAT WILL GET YOUR VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION STICKER REVOKED UNTIL REPAIRED, AS I JUST FOUND OUT. IN MY OPINION THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS( NOT BEING ABLE TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY)CONSTITUTES A RECALL. THANKYOU, MARK GROSE *TR

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY INSIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE INSIDE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CUSTOMER BELIEVES THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *KB THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS INOPERATIVE.

THERE WAS A VIBRATION SOUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED AIR BAG MALFUNCTION PROBLEM, AND THAT IT MAY DEPLOY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR UPDATED 10/10/07 *TR

SIDEWALL IS BULGING - WILL BE RETURNING TO DEALER (COSTCO). HAS NOT COMPLETELY FAILED. TIRE IS A MICHELIN MXV4 S8 ALL SEASON P215/60R16 94V RRBL. INSTALLED 1/10/06. ABOUT 10,000 MILES OF USE. *TR

TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2.4 L WINTER WEATHER CAUSE TO VVT ON AUTO TO FAIL AND STALL ENGINE. STALLED ENGINE CAUSED LOST OF CONTROLS, STEERING, BRAKES, ETC..PARTS REPLACED WERE OXYGEN SENSORS, CAT.CONVERTOR, ETC.. THE VVT IS VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL ALONG WITH OCM, PCM, THROTTLE SENSOR, MASS AIR SENSOR WHICH REGULATES THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. SHE NOTICED GAS FUMES AND A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS OVERFILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OTHER OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ALWAYS TOPPED OF THE TANK AND THERE WAS NO WHERE IN THE MANUAL WHERE IT SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE. UPDATED 04//12/07. *JB

MY 2002 CAMRY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR EXCEPT FOR THE FOUL ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AS WELL AS TOYOTA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED. WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE ODOR FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. *JB

TL* - WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH FULL FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 21265 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 21200.*AK CONSUMER HAS INCLUDED THE REPAIR ORDER AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. UPDATE *4/17TR

MY WIFE, AMY S. JENSON, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON S MAIN ST IN FINDLAY, OH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF HER CAR. THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK THE BEST PART OF A FOOT BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE WAS NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OF ANY SORT FROM THE ACCIDENT. ISN'T THAT WHAT AIR BAGS ARE THERE FOR? AS A RESULT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT BRUISING OF MY WIFE'S HEAD WHERE IT HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND BROKE IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS DEFECTIVE AIR BAG IS COMMON AMONG HER CAR TYPE. SHE DRIVES A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. *NM

APPLIED BRAKES TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AT 25 MPH. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR(SPONGY) AND ALSO ABS GOT ACTIVATED BUT DID NOT STOP. IT HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT AND STOPPED WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE. THIS HAPPENED COUPLE OF TIMES EARLIER, BUT NOT INVOLVED ANY ACCIDENT. BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, GOT THE BRAKES ADJUSTED 3 TIMES AT DEALER FOR LOW PEDAL. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, THE BRAKES STILL REMAINED THE SAME. ON BUMPY ROADS ABS GETS ACTIVATED DIRECTLY. I PAID FINE FOR THE ACCIDENT FOR TOYOTA FLAW. WILL GET RID OF THIS CAMRY IF TOYOTA DOES NOT RECALL. *NM