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Sedans Toyota Camry 2007 Toyota Camry Problems and Repairs
4934 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 10:29 PM
You are in the Toyota Camry Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: helpman230 (Aug 22, 2009 5:05 pm) But back to your seemingly absolute faith in GM's 'advanced technology' and good will about their "no questions asked" warranty policies. Have you ever heard of Dex Cool coolant? Dex Cool was a long life coolant which GM developed in the early 1990's. They REQUIRED it to be used in every vehicle which originally came with it; in order for the warranty to remain valid. But it eventually turned out that the advanced technology chemicals in GM's Dex Cool coolant were attacking the advanced technology silicone rubber intake manifold gaskets that GM was using in their motors. And the result was that the advanced technology radiators and cooling systems were becoming plugged up with brown sludge; and causing the engines to overheat and blow head gaskets; and the damage was sometimes so severe that it required the entire engine to be replaced. This problem affected thousands and thousands of vehicles that GM built for more than ten years. But GM refused to admit there was any problem. Finally, when enough people became aware of this situation, they contacted lawyers and filed the LARGEST CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN HISTORY against GM. The courts eventually forced GM to pay for the damages to all those motors; but GM's lawyers negotiated a sliding scale of compensation, based on the age of the vehicle. The result was that owners of vehicles made as recently as 2001 are only receiving $80 for repairs to their car that often cost $800 or more. And GM still never admitted any fault in the case. But perhaps you dismiss that incident as an isolated example; which is not really representative of GM. So here's another one to broaden the picture: In 1999, GM introduced a new small block V-8 engine of 4.8 liters. This engine was designed with restricted coolant flow to the cylinder heads; in order to achieve greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions. It became the standard engine in many Chevy pickup trucks. And it turned out that this engine has an oil sludge problem; just like the Toyotas that you think are such an example of poor engineering. Why do you ignore the GM oil sludge problem; and write as if Toyota is the only company that has such a problem? And why do you write as if GM has the best warranty; when two other manufacturers have better warranties than GM? Who do you think you're kidding??? |
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Replying to: helpman230 (Aug 22, 2009 5:05 pm) Let me suggest you use one or more of the search features on the sidebar to find better topics for your decision-making process. I suggest you start by going to the Automotive News board from the Browse by Board feature and have a look at the topics there. I think you'll find several of interest to you. Best of luck to you. |
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Good Morning to All: (Some thoughts to share with the group!) My 2007 Camry was purchased new from a dealer in Northern N.J. I have all my service done at the selling dealer. (I even purchase my tires from the dealer.) The vehicle now has almost 52,000 miles on it, and the only thing that has been serviced under the extended warranty was the exterior oil line. (Since I am constantly on road trips I had this line replaced as preventive maintenance.) As you can see from my other postings I am very concerned with preventive maintenance. I will spend a little extra money to have a dependable vehicle. (My choice.) My vehicle is my office! I never had the transmission issue that you read about on this board. (This does not translate into Toyota not having a problem, but I believe that some of the stories on this board are "driver related," ------ and I believe that the number of units that have this issue are small! ----- REMEMBER: ---- this is a drive by wire vehicle, so as such, the shifting characteristics are different! ----- Drive by wire vehicles DO NOT respond well to "aggressive driving!" ) ------- Today because of the technology, you need to put an extended manufacturer's warranty on the vehicle for the maximum number of years and mileage. (My Toyota has a top-of-the-line extended warranty with a "0" deductible!) ----- Parts and labor are just TOOOOOOO expensive to be "self-insured!" In addition, you need to use the dealer for regular service in order to keep your service records in one place. Should something happen there is no issue with regards to collecting service receipts. (I would never have my vechicle service at any of the "quick change oil & filter stores" or a department store. There is simply no way to control the quality of the work and the materials used in the service. Then if something occurs you are caught between the store, the dealer and the warranty!) My prior vehicle was a 2003- 4 cylinder Honda Accord. Many people believe that Honda produces a high quality vehicle. Once my Honda reached 50,000 miles the extended warranty put in $3,000.00 + dollars worth of repair, (AC Compressor, Power Window regulator drivers side. Cat Converter, Motor Mounts, Radio Display ----- etc) Most likely, I will purchase another Camry on or about December 2010, and I will purchase it from the same selling / servicing dealer. I will also get a "top-of-the-line Toyota extended warranty for the maximum mileage and years. --- If something happens to the vehicle, Toyota and the dealer will make the necessary repairs and I will be driving a Toyota Loaner vehicle. --------- If something happens on the road I have my extended warranty to fall back on and I will continue my trip with a Toyota Loaner from that dealer. Any car company can produce some units with problems. I see this everyday in the boating industry. Not all marine engines are perfect. I have been told that there is a 1% issue with all marine engines. When this happens, the manufacturer simply ships an engine to the dealer and the problem is solved. That is simply the nature of the business. ------ Sometimes I think that we all tend to "blow things out of proportion"! ------- No manufacturer wants to produce a vehicle with problems. This simple hurts their business image. -------- Sometimes customers are their own worse enemy. They attack the service person at the dealership and then they expect to be treated in a professional manner! -------- After my vehicle is serviced, I send a "hand written thank-you note" to the Service Advisior, Service Manager and the General Manager. In that note I thank them and the service staff for their help, concern and professionalism. I go our of my way to make people feel important and appreciated! ---- When I present my vehicle for service, they also make me feel important. ----------- (What goes around comes around in life!) Just some thoughts to consider! Best regards to all! Dwayne   
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Replying to: djm2 (Aug 29, 2009 5:42 am) Gee, glad you told me that, otherwise I would have NEVER guessed it as my '99 911/996 didn't seem to exhibit that trait, nor does my current '01 911/996 C4. Seemed to be quite competitive even on the track, driving AGGRESSIVELY, at Daytona. While DBW can be, and is, a tremendous technological design and is quite useful for many reasons, no idle bypass, simplified cruise control, etc, it can also be used to hide a few SINS. Toyota is using it, has been using it, to hide a huge sin, the lack of a satisfactory, reasonable, transaxle design. Between my daughter and myself we had driven our '00 Chrysler T&C almost 100,000 miles before inadvertently discovering that it's panic braking capability is seriously flawed. So some flaws can exist throughout the product line and yet not be discovered except under highly unusual circumstances, unique to the individual driver, even. Google for: Chrysler panic braking "very large effort" |
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Replying to: wwest (Aug 29, 2009 9:12 am)
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Replying to: djm2 (Aug 29, 2009 5:42 am) This has worked quite well for my two current Camrys, one a 2005 XLE with just over 40,000 miles, the other a 2004 LE with nearly 64,000 miles. The '05 has not had any problems of any kind, just routine oil changes, tire rotations, filter and wiper blade replacements, plus two replacement tires. I have paid zero for service, only a small amount for parts -- see below about the tires. The 2004 had one recall for possible mis-installed side curtains (mine turned out to be fine) and one other minor problem which I haven't bothered to fix -- a minor "stiction" in the steering when making sharp left hand turns under about 25 mph. Unfortunately, the car was sideswiped by a hit-and-run driver while it was parked, requiring a replacement quarter panel, rear bumper cover, and related repairs (plus much repainting) in early 2006. Then a year ago in June it was pummeled by a rare hailstorm (for our area), requiring paintless dent removal plus a replacement trunk lid (and more painting). The paint work wasn't satisfactory, so my insurance company paid for much more extensive paint work to get the car in its now very presentable state. The dealer's platinum warranty wouldn't have helped in either case, so I did have to pay the insurance deductible in each incident (but not for the do-over). This car has had professional maintenance for a few small items like brake fluid replacement. I'm lucky in that I have access to a tire mounting machine at my workplace, and I made sure to learn how to use it. We also have a balancing machine, so I only have to pay for tires -- on my 3rd set on the 2004, only 2 new tires so far on the 2005. My former ‘97 Camry was part of the “sludger” series. I never had a lick of sludge, but my valve stem seals started to fail at 57K miles (evidenced by a puff of blue smoke on cold startup), just before the 60K powertrain warranty was about to expire. I took my log of oil change records to the local dealer (not the original selling dealer), and they took care of the problem without a hassle. It would have cost $800-$1,000. This dealer has many "packages" that pad the service intervals with all kinds of added work and magic chemicals not recommended by Toyota. Plus it has a “Tires for Life” program for cars bought new there, as my 2 current Camrys were. Problem is you have to pay for all maintenance at the dealer AND follow the dealer’s recommendations for tire rotations, balancing, and alignment, which of course are way beyond what the manufacturer calls for. You end up paying for the “free” tires many times over. No thanks! |
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Replying to: wwest (Aug 29, 2009 9:12 am) As far as the transaxles go, I have no problems whatsoever with the 4-cylinder, 4-speed auto in my 2004. What I don't like in the 2005 with its 4-cylinder, 5-speed combo is its tendency to shift too soon into too high a gear (lugging) in city driving, which is especially apparent when going up hills. |
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Replying to: wwest (Aug 29, 2009 9:12 am) I was simply suggesting that some drivers, (who have an older vehicle without DBW), might see / experience an "operating difference" with this new technology. My Camry handles differently in the snow because of DBW than did my 2003 Honda Accord! Best regards! Dwayne
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Replying to: djm2 (Aug 31, 2009 2:46 am) I would imagine the fuel cut using EFI/SFI had to be pretty much total in order to avoid detonation whereas with DBW dethrottling can be moderated, modulated. So yes, likely a very noticeable VSC/TC difference when moving from one to the other. |
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My wifes 2005 Camry needs front brake pads soon. Ive changed them myself on other cars. Would this cars pads be similiar to do? Do the calipers come off the same way? (two 14mm bolts?) Can you still push the pistons back into the calipers with a large C clamp? Thanks for any replys!
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