1998 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH AND HIGHER, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND BECOME EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE DEALER HOWEVER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH HIS SAFETY WHILE DRIVING A VEHICLE HE POTENTIALLY COULD NOT CONTROL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 WE MOUNTED THE DIP STICK BACKWARDS, IT CAME INTO CONTACT WITH PART OF THE ENGINE. ALTHOUGH THE DIP STICK IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE INSERTED THAT WAY, IT STILL SHOULD NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY PART OF THE MOTOR AND WE CONCLUDED THIS WAS THE REASON FOR THE BREAK. I WAS GIVEN ZERO ASSISTANCE FROM TOYOTA AFTER THIS, AND WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE $270 THAT WAS PAID IN GOOD FAITH. THIS IS WHY I AM CONTACTING YOU TODAY. *JB

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

EGR VALVE BROKEN AND VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE NOT WORKING. ENGINE DIES (SOMETIMES TOTALLY DIES AND SOMETIMES DIES AND STARTS AFTER A MOMENT) AFTER TAKING EXIT FROM HIGHWAYS AND SOMETIMES ON HIGHWAYS AT 65 M/HR. STEERING GETS LOCKED (CANNOT TURN) BECAUSE ENGINE DIES OUT. FORTUNATELY DIDN'T INVOLVE IN MAJOR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. HOWEVER THERE WERE MINOR ACCIDENTS WITH NO DAMAGE TO ANY PROPERTY INCLUDING MY VEHICLE. PROBLEM RESOLVED AFTER REPLACING EGR & VSV ASSEMBLIES. VERY FORTUNATE I DIDN'T INVOLVE IN ANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AS SEVERAL TIMES MY VEHICLE STOPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN ON HIGHWAYS AT AROUND 60 M/HR. *TR

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.

CONSUMER NOTICED REAR LEFT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. AFTER RELEASING BUCKETS LOCK MECHANISM BROKE. DEALER INDICATED SORRY YOU DON'T HAVE NO LONGER WARRANTY, WOULD COST YOU $300.00 AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *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

2 OF MY 3 REAR SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T RETRACT. THEY BROKE WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE SYSTEM REPLACED. *J B

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION OF 110 MPH. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO THE "PARK" POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 03/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/21/10

WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE DIED AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON A DUAL LANE HIGHWAY. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE CAR MOMENTUM DIED. WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE "ENGINE CHECK" LIGHT WAS LIT.*AK CAR WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE REPAIR STATION THAT EVENING. SERVICE STATION FOUND THE WATER PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN THE TIMING BELT FAILURE. BELT AND WATER PUMP REPLACED, TIMING RESET, BUT FAILED TO START. INVESTIGATION REVEALED TIMING HAD SLIPPED AND CAUSE WAS THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY KEY HAD SHEARED. THAT WAS REPLACED, TIMED AGAIN, AND ENGINE WAS BACK TO NORMAL. OLDMOBILE PARTS NOT AVAILIABLE.*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

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

WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO DISENGAGE IT THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO ACCELERATE THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL FORWARD AND BACK TO OBTAIN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A THROTTLE BODY CLEANING AND IDLE SPEED CONTROL REPLACEMENT. *AK *NM

WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 TO 55 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE DRIVER SUFFERED A FRACTURED LEFT SHOULDER, MINOR INJURIES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS HEAD AND BRUISING TO HIS LEFT HIP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT AN ANTILOCK BRAKE FAILURE MAY HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. *NM

THE DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED, AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS PRODUCED A WHITE FILM WHICH IMPAIRED THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

CONSUMER WAS PULLING IN A PARKING SPACE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, HITTING A CURB. IT CONTINUED TO SPEED, AND HIT A TREE, AND VEHICLE STOPPED BY HITTING A WALL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE NOT HURT. INSURANCE COMPANY HAD VEHICLE TOWED. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER UNLATCHED THE SEAT BELT, IT DID NOT RETRACT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK BOTH THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT AND THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND WAS FELT MORE WHEN BRAKING. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING. I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR BACK ON AS I TRIED, THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE HAD SEIZED. MY CAR IS A 98 CAMARY WITH 75000 MILES WHICH WAS PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER AND HAS HAD ALL SERVICE CHECKUPS FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST ME 4700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND MY WARRANTY WAS UP IN JULY OF 2003. I AM WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH TOYOTA. MY FAMILY HAS HAD SIX TOYOTAS SINCE 1988. THIS CAR AND OUR LAST TOYOTA CAMARY HAVE BEEN HORRIBLE. THE 2000 NEEDED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AND NOW THIS. IN ADDITION TO THIS WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR AS IF IT WAS JUST THAT EASY. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO BROUGHT A TOYOTA BECAUSE OF THE SUPPOSED DEPENDABLITY. I GUESS I WAS WRONG. *JB

ENGINE SLUDGE. NOT YET FAILED BUT INEVITABLE IF NOT REPAIRED.*AK

DOOR HANDLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE OFF (IN COLD WEATHER) WHEN I TIRED TO OPEN THE DOOR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHICH CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES DURING THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM

THE ENGINE IN MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY THREW A ROD (#4) THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS, LIKE ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE OR LOSS OF POWER, BEFORE THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS 67000 MILES AND HAS HAD THE OIL CHANGED WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES. ALSO, THE 45000 MILE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE LOCAL TOYOTA MANAGEMENT SAID THAT I DID NOT POSSES SUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO SUPPORT THEM PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE. I HAD THE RECEIPTS FROM THE OIL CHANGES. TOYOTA CORPORATION TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CARS OVER 60000 MILES. MY COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER IS PENDING REVIEW.*AK

IN DECEMBER STARTING ON THE 5TH MY REAR SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. A FEW WEEKS LATER A SECOND SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. *CB