1999 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND MUST BE "PUNCHED" AFTER STOPPING. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THAT I DRIVE THE CAR NO MATTER WHAT THE CONDITIONS. CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD BANKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A BLOWN GASKET. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, ANOTHER MOTORIST PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER T-BONED THE OTHER MOTORIST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED A STERNUM AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVERE BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 SOLARA AND EVER SINCE OWNING IT, IT'S BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. THE CD PLAYER SKIPS WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES, THE ROTORS NEEDED RESURFACING BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PADS VIBRATED WHEN BREAKING, THE STRUTS RATTLE BADLY AND CONSTANTLY, THE DRIVER SIDE VANITY MIRROR BROKE OFF, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CONTROL PANEL HAS CAME OFF TWICE NOW, I'VE REPLACED BREAK LIGHT BULBS FOUR TIMES, THE ENGINE SPUTTERS AT TIMES AT START UP AND WILL NOT STAY RUNNING ON IT'S OWN AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER FIXED THE SEAT ONCE OUT OF THE 7 TIMES I BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIR FINALLY SAID IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. I TOLD THEM THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM ONCE ALREADY SO HOW CAN IT BE A NORMAL THING? I SAT IN A NEW SOLARA ONTHE SHOWROON FLOOR AND THAT SEAT ROCKED TOO. THE DEALER REPLACED MY CD PLAYER BUT THE NEW SKIPS AT TIMES BUT NOT NEARLY AS OFTEN. THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STRUTS AND REFUSED TO REPLACE. TIRED OF ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER...THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST TOYOTA.*AK

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE ACCELERATED AND BRAKE. THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. THE DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE OUTER TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING. THE THREADS ARE CORRODED ON THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TIE ROD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *NM THE TIE ROD THREADS WERE NOT APPARENT TO VISION WHEN INSPECTED. THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *SC *JB

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH SOUTH ON I45 ABOUT 10 MILES N. OF HUNTSVILLE AND STARTING TO FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING FROM GENTLY TO VIOLENTLY IN A SHORT TIME. 2) THINK OF HAVING A FLAT I SLOWED DOWN AND BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN AND BEFORE GETTING ON THE SHOULDER I SAW RUBBER PIECES FLYING AND HEARD SEVERAL LOUD THUMPS COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, I HEARD A LOUD FIZZLE SOUND AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LEANED TO THE LEFT. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND THAT ALL OF THE RUBBER COVERING ROAD-CONTACTING SURFACE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS GONE EXPOSING METAL WIRES AND THE BASE RUBBER. I ALSO NOTED THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER, THE LEFT FRONT FENDER AND MUDGUARD OF THE CAR WERE DAMAGED, DISTORTED PUSHED CLOSER TO THE LEFT FRONT DOOR. THE PEELED, FLAPPING AND FLYING APART RUBBER ALSO CAUSED NUMEROUS BLACK STREAKS AND MARKS ON THE FENDER AND THE BUMPER. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR BELOW THE DOOR HANDLE WAS ALSO SCRAPES. 3) I REPLACED THE BLOWN OUT-TIRE WITH A FACTORY PROVIDED NEVER-USED SPARE TIRE AND DROVE TO A DISCOUNT TIRE STORE ON SOUTH SHAVER ROAD ON THE WAY HOME TO HAVE THE SEPARATED TIRE INSPECTED. THE TIRE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED VERBALLY THAT THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. HE CALLED GENERAL TIRES AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO MAKE THE CALL MYSELF SINCE THIS INVOLVES PROPERTY DAMAGE. I DROVE HOME AND CALLED GENERAL TIRES TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD TO WAIT 5-7 DAYS FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS BY MAIL. I WAS TO KEEP THE BLOWN TIRE AND OTHER TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR UNTIL THEIR INVESTIGATION COMPLETES. THE BLOWN OUT TIRE, THE SPARE AND THE OTHER THREE TIRES ALREADY ON THE CAR ARE OF THE SAME SIZE, MODEL, MANUFACTURER AND CAME WITH A 1999 TOYATO CAMRY WHEN PURCHASED. TIRE MANUFACTURER: GENERAL, MODEL HP 400 A/S, SIZE P205/65 R15. THE DOT NUMBER ON THE TIRES ARE ACUR 2V1 178.

SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE RUSTED AND BROKE OFF ARM TO TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF GEAR. PART WAS REPLACED. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *AK

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, AT 7:30 AM ON THURSDAY APRIL 22, 2004, I NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER MY AUTO'S HOOD. THE AUTO WAS A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY, WITH ABOUT 90,100 MILES ON IT. THE CLICKING NOISE REMINDED ME OF A SPINNING ROULETTE WHEEL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE NOISE INCREASED IN INTENSITY. AT THAT POINT, I DECIDED THAT I NEEDED TO GO TO A REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. AS I WAS DOING THAT, THERE WAS A LOUD, EXPLOSION-LIKE NOISE AND THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING VERY HEAVILY. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AT WHICH POINT, I GATHERED UP SOME IMPORTANT ITEMS FROM MY CAR, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. BY THIS TIME, THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CALLED 911 AND ADVISED THE DISPATCHER OF MY CIRCUMSTANCES AND LOCATION. THE CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE ARRIVED WITHIN THREE MINUTES OF MY CALL. THEY TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DO SO. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, 10 MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND SMOKE. THEY WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT BY THAT TIME, THE CAR WAS RUINED. A FEW MINUTES LATER, A TOW TRUK REMOVED THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY GARAGE. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND FILED A CLAIM. THEY HAVE SINCE DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REMITTING MY SETTLEMENT.*AK

AFTER RETURNING FROM A ROAD TRIP CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CRANK NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE VENTS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND HEARD LOUD CLANGING SOUND AND THEN SAW LOTS OF SMOKE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I PULLED OVER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND OPENED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND OIL WAS ALL OVER. CAR HAD 66,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS 400 MILES OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO SLUDGE OR GEL IN THE ENGINE. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THIS. WARRANTY COMPANY IS FIGHTING US ON FIXING THE VEC. AND TOYOTA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING EITHER. THIS HAPPENED ON APRIL 15, 2004 AND IT IS NOW JULY 7, 2004. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP STILL HAS MY CAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD BANG NOISE WAS HEARD AND A CLANGING SOUND WAS MADE FROM THE CAR. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEC. WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION ON 4/15/04. CONSUMER WAS 400 MILES OVER FORD WARRANTY. WARRANTY COMPANY HAS AN ADJUSTER COME OUT AND LOOK AT THE VEC. 6 OR 7 TIMES. FORD KNEW IN THE MIDDLE OF MAY THAT THE VEC. WAS OVER MILEAGE AND THEY CONTINUED TO LEAD THE CONSUMER AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT. FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE FORD WARRANTY COMPANY ADJUSTER BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. 2 BOLTS THAT HELD THE PISTON IN PLACE BUSTED AND THREW A ROD THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE SAME DEALERSHIP HAD ANOTHER CAMRY WITH 61,000 MILES COME IN WHILE THIS CAR WAS THERE AND HAD DONE THE EXACT SAME THING HAD HAPPENED WITH IT. THE VEC. NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AND NOT TOYOTA NOR FORD WILL HELP US. I HAVE DONE SEVERAL SEARCHES OVER THIS VEC. AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN OVER 5,000 CAMRYS THAT HAVE DONE THIS EXACT SAME THING....1999. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE ALSO. *AK

REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT ON THE LEFT SIDE FAILED TO RETRACT. I CAN NOT ANSWER A QUESTION ABOUT OEM, BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT IS. COULD YOU BE MORE CLEAR ON YOUR OFFICIAL FORMS, PLEASE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE BETWEEN 55-60 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, JERKING FORWARD AND THEN STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE ENGINE LOCKED UP DUE TO AN OIL SLUDGE. *AK

THE SUSPENSION ON MY 99 TOYOTA SOLARA IS VERY NOISY. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY MADE A NOTE OF IT, BUT THAT WAS ALL THEY WOULD DO. THE CAR HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES ON IT MUCH OF IT HIGHWAY. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE. *NM

PURCHASED FOUR NEW DUNLOP SP SPORT A2 P195/70R14 TIRES AT 36,157 MILES ON 05/10/02 FROM TOYOTA DEALER IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. ON APRIL 2, 2004, IN PREPARATION FOR A TRIP TO TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA (APPROXIMATELY 180 MILES), ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CHECKED AND EACH HAD 32 PSI AIR PRESSURE. ON APRIL 3, 2004 (APPROXIMATE ODOMETER READING 55,000) UPON ARRIVAL IN TALLAHASSEE, DISCOVERED ONE OF THE TIRES MOUNTED ON THE LEFT REAR WAS PARTIALLY DEFLATED AND WAS UNDERGOING SEPARATION AT THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON THE SIDEWALL. WE TOOK THE CAR TO DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY, 1507 KILLEAN CENTER BOULEVARD, TALLAHASSEE (PHONE 850-894-8473) FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PARTIAL DEFLATION WAS CAUSED BY A TIRE DEFECT THAT RESULTED IN THE SIDE WALL SEPARATION. WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE TIRE DID NOT FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEED (70 MPH). DUNLOP THROUGH THE DUNLOP WEBSITE. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKE PROBLEM THE PROBLEM CONCERNED ABS PUMP. WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED. EVERY TWO-THREE MONTHS THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED, AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES. THIS PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 2001. THE FIRST DOCUMENTATION WAS FOR MAY OF 2002. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS, BUT NONE AS OF YET. THE DEALER WAS UNSURE OF THE EXACT PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND IT. THEY HAVE TOLD THE CONSUMER NUMBERS POSSIBILITIES, BUT STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THEY CHANGED THE TIMING BELT BECAUSE OF ENGINE NOISE. THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER PUMP AND IT WAS CHANGED. THE CONSUMER HAD A REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. BUT, NOT ALL OF THE TIMES THAT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WAS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT ENGINE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE VALVE AND THE LIFTERS. *AK

(1) THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING IN WAS PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN TRAFFIC SIGNAL WHEN OTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO OBEY RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL THUS STRIKING MY VEHICLE BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOORS ("B" PILLAR). *AK (2) SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE CONTRIBUTING TO MORE SERIOUS INJURIES SUSTAINED. (3) VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. COULD NOT FIND CONTACT INFORMATION ON MANUFACTURER TO MAKE NOTIFCATION OF DEFECT.

1999 TOYOTA CAMRY 140,000 MILES ROUTINE OIL CHANGES THREW A ROD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DEALER CHARGED $127.00 TO PULL THE VALVE COVER. DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE ENGINE FAILED BUT IT WAS NOT OIL GELLING. THEY DENIED MY OIL GELLING CLAIM EVEN THOUGH I SHOWED RECEIPTS FOR THE OIL CHANGES. *AK

THE GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN YOU FIRST START AND THEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THIS AND SUGGEST CLEANING THE THROTTLE BODY EVERY 15000 MILES. THEY CHARGE $25 TO DO THIS IF THAT IS ALL YOU HAVE DONE. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS YOU HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL HARD TO GET IT TO RELEASE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE TOLD MY TOYOTA DEALER MANY TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM SEAMS TO ALLEVIATE ITSELF AFTER YOU HAVE DRIVEN A FEW MILES. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS JUST ONE DATE THIS OCCURRED. IT IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I ALSO OWN A 1993 TOYOTA CAMRY AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT AND ASSEMBLY. SINCE THEN, THE LIGHT JUST COMES ON RANDOMLY AND STAYS ON UNTIL I TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME, THEY FIX "SOMETHING". SEVERAL OF THE TIMES, THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE SEAT COME DISCONNECTED OVER TIME. THEY THEN PROCEED TO "FIX" IT. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AGAIN WITHIN SEVERAL MONTHS. ONE TIME, THEY SAID IT WAS A LOOSE CONNECTOR FROM THE STEERING. ALL TIMES, THE DEALERSHIP HAS FIXED THIS WITHOUT CHARGING ME. THIS LAST TIME, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE LOOSE CABLE UNDER THE SEAT AGAIN, BUT BECAUSE THE PRIOR PROBLEM WAS NOT THIS SAME THING (E.G. THE STEERING CONNECTION), IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTLY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $200 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED. THIS IS OBVIOULSY A RECURRING ISSUE. AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THESE KINGS OF PROBLEMS. WHEN WILL THEIR BE A RECALL OF THIS? IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER IS OBVIOUSLY NOT ABLE TO PERMANENTLY FIX THIS PROBLEM (AFTER 6 TRYS, YOU'D THINK THEY WOULD FIGURE IT OUT). I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY EVERY TIME I NEED IT FIXED.

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AT LEAST 2 BRAKE REPAIRS PER YEAR SINCE THE INITIAL REPAIR DONE PRIOR TO 20000 MILES .ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND THIS IS THE MOST BRAKE REPAIRS I HAVE EVER HAD ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. THE LAST MECHANIC WHO WORKED ON THE CAR RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE CALIPERS BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM IN THESE CARS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS IN THIS YEAR VEHICLE. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME OTHERWISE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A TOYOTA ENTHUSIAST, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE APATHETIC RESPONSE I HAVE GOTTEN FROM THEM. *CB

ENGINE BLOWN ON MY TOYOTA SOLARA. *AK

WHILE AT A STOP CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE PROBLEM, AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, BUT DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

ON GOING PROBLEM WITH AIRBAGS AND IT'S SENSORS COMING ON. WAS IN THE DEALERS ON TWO OCCASIONS. A WARNING ON BILL THAT A POSSIBLE RE CHECK WILL OCCUR. *CB

STARTING IN DEC. '03, I HEARD FLUID CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE IN MY "99 TOY. CAMRY (V6), ESP. FROM A STOP. THE TOY. DEALER TOLD ME MY COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW, BUT FOUND NO LEAKS, AND ADDED MORE COOLANT. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE SOUND CAME BACK AND BECAME WORSE. THE CAR BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGH AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAN HIGH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER TOY. DEALER, WHO INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. I HAD TO HAVE A NEW SHORT BLOCK INSTALLED, ALONG WITH A NEW OIL PUMP AND WATER PUMP. *JB

I HAVE READ A REPORT IN USA TODAY NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE CAMRY SOLARA SURGING AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS MYSELF. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MOST OF MY TRAVEL IS AT THESE SPEEDS. AT THE TIME I DID NOT NOTICE THE SPEDOMETER OR THE TACHOMETER INCREASE, IT JUST FELT LIKE I GOT A SUDDEN PUSH FROM BEHIND. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT ANY CERTAIN TIME, ROAD CONDITION, WEATHER OR ANYTHING ELSE. EACH TIME ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS USING MY CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO I NOTICE IN THE REPORT THAT OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. I MYSELF WAS JUST INVOLVED IN A MINOR CRASH RECENTLY WHERE AT THE TIME I THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT. I HAD BEGUN TO MOVE INTO THE SPOT THAT THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME WAS MOVING OUT OF. WE WERE IN THE RIGHT TURN LANE, STOPPED, WAITING TO TURN. AS I MOVED I LOOKED LEFT FOR CLEARANCE AND WHEN I TURNED BACK, LOOKING RIGHT, SHE HAD STOPPED. MAYBE 5-10 FEET AHEAD OF ME. WELL I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I COULD FEEL THE PEDAL PUSLE FROM THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. I WASN'T GOING MORE THAN 5MPH MAX. I HAD JUST STARTED TO MOVE. I DON'T EVEN THINK I TOUCHED THE GAS, JUST LET OFF OF THE BRAKE TO COAST AHEAD INTO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS AN UNOCCUPIED SPOT. AT THE TIME IT SEEMED ODD TO ME THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP IN SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE ESPECIALLY WHILE GOING AS SLOW AS I WAS. BUT AFTER YOUR CAR GETS CRUMPLED YOU KIND OF FORGET ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE EXCEPT THE VEHICLE AND DRIVERS CONDITION INVOLVED. OF COURSE I RECIEVED A TICKET FOR CARELESS DRIVING FOR BEING THE REARENDER, NOT THE REARENDEE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH HEARD LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS FORCED DRIVER TO PULL OF THE ROAD. THEN, CALLED TRIPLE AAA, AND TOWED VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. TECHNICIAN STATED THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. CONSUMER HAD NAVIGATED IN DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND FOUND 5000 IDENTICAL PROBLEMS.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON 287 NORTH AROUND EDISON, NJ, MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE FIRE STARTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME THE FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED, 60 PERCENT OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ENGULFED ON FIRE. *LA

WITHOUT WARNING, I.E. SQUEALING, SOUNDS, ETC., I EXPERIENCED INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION. WHEN I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER/SERVICE, THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT PADS ARE METAL TO METAL. THE CAR HAS 89,000 MILES AND THE BRAKES AND PORTIONS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON AVERAGE EVERY 8,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN THE ELEVENTH TIME THAT THERE HAS BEEN BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE BEING WORN PREMATURELY. THERE IS USUALLY A LOT OF BRAKE DUST AND CRYSTALLIZED OR SOLID MATERIAL FALLING FROM THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE DEALER/MECHANIC/SERVICE HAS STATED VARIOUS REASONS FOR THE BRAKE FAILURES EACH TIME, BUT THE PROBLEM IS NEVER RESOLVED. THIS CAR HAS ABS. *LA

HIT FROM REAR AT ABOUT 45 MILES AT A STOP LIGHT. BOTH BUCKET FRONT SEATS LAID BACK ON REAR SEAT AT IMPACT. IIS THIS IS A DEFECT IN SEAT CONSTRUCTION AS I AM THINKING OF BUYING SAME AUTO. WE DID NOT HAVE INJURIES. *LA

FAILURE OF VALVE SEALS AND ENGINE VARNISH AT ONLY 62,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED OIL CHANGES WITHIN MFG. SPECS. THIS ENGINE RUNS TOO HOT! ONLY 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY TOYOTA REFUSED HELP, OVERCHARGED FOR REPAIR, AND CHARGED FOR AN OIL CHANGE THAT WAS NEVER DONE!!!! *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH GOING UPHILL ON EXPRESSWAY, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY SMOKE AND FLAME. BY THE TIME WE GO TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, WE HAD NO BRAKES, NO STEERING, NOTHING WAS WORKING. CAR WAS TOTALLY COVERED IN SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE INTENSE. ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED WITHIN SECONDS OF OUR PULLING OVER WITH A MEDIUM SIZED FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HE PROCEEDED TO LAY ON HIS BACK AND TOTALLY EMPTY THE EXTINGUISHER FROM UNDER THE CAR, WHICH MADE NO DIFFERENCE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED (WITHIN 10 MINUTES), THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOTALLY BURNED. I NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE CLOSED OUT PE02-079, BUT BELIEVE IT TO BE RELATED. THE CAR IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY STATE FARM INSURANCE. THE CAR HAD A MAJOR SERVICE AT 67,000 MILES, INCLUDING A TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT ON JULY 24TH, 2003. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *LA

VEHICLE STRUCK DEAR AT 65 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY (CRASH DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR). NO INJURIES REPORTED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THAT TIME. *JB

MY 1999 CAMRY (52K MILE) SEDAN WAS IN FOR SERVICE AND I ASKED THAT CLUNKING AND SQWEEK IN THE FRONT END BE CHECKED. AFTER DRIVING IT, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RUBBER TOP MOUNTS ON THE MACPHERSON STRUTS WERE SPLIT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY HAD REPLACED A LOT OF THEM. IT COST APPROXIMATELY $350. I HAVE OWNED 9 FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES IN THE PAST 18 YEARS AND THIS HAS NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. I THINK TOYOTA IS TRYING TO GET BY WITHOUT FIXING THAT SHOULD PROBABLY BE CLASSIFIED AS A DEFECT. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.

1. MY 1999 SE V6 SOLARA BEGAN SMOKING A LOT EVERYTIME I STARTED THE CAR AND WHEN I ACCELERATED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE "SLUDGE" PROBLEM AND THE DEALER DID ALL OF THE REQUIRED WORK TO FIX THAT. 2. I WAS IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT IN 1999 AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. 3. THERE IS A VERY LOUD, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, CLUNKING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA. THE DEALER SAYS THE STRUT TOPS ARE WORN OUT AND IT WILL COST $750.00??? PER SIDE TO REPLACE THE STRUTS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT. SHOULDN'T THE STRUTS HAVE A LONGER LIFE THAN THAT? 4. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW JUST FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL ONE DAY AND HAD TO HAVE THE REGULATOR REPLACED. 5. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, IF I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STILL WARM IT WOULDN'T CRANK. FIRST THERE WAS NO NOISE AT ALL WHEN I TURNED THE KEY OVER AND IF I WAITED A BIT, AS IT COOLED OFF, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY START. THEN ONE DAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK I STOPPED AT THE STORE AND WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE IT WAS DEAD AND WOULDN'T START AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY AND HAVE A THROTTLE BODY SERVICE BECAUSE THE WAS "CARBON BUILD UP IN THE INJECTORS". 6. THE CAR SHAKES LIKE IT IS GOING TO EXPLODE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND IT IS NOT THE TIRES BEING OUT OF BALANCE OR THE ALIGNMENT. IT ALSO SHIMMIES BADLY WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES FROM A HIGH SPEED. 7. NOW, I WENT TO HAVE AN EMISSION TEST DONE AND FAILED BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE CODE WAS FOR THE O2 SENSOR. MY MOTHER HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM FOR THE O2 SENSOR, WHICH SHE HAD REPAIRED AND WITHIN A WEEK THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I AM SO TIRED OF ONE THING AFTER THE NEXT WITH THIS CAR.

TL*THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BACKING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ACROSS THE STREET AT AN UNCONTROLLABLE RATE. THE VEHICLE CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO HIS NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION BEFOREHAND. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 05/13/2010. *LJ

8/12/03 HEARD UNUSUAL NOISE SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ON A HIGHWAY. PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND STOPPED. FOUND OIL ALL OVER THE PLACE, INSIDE THE ENGINE AND OUTSIDE ON THE GROUND. A TOYOTA DEALER EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE "#1 CONNECTING ROD" WAS BROKEN AND THAT IT IS NOT CUSTOMER'S FAULT. WE BOUGHT TOYOTA CAMRY (4 CYLINDERS) IN 1999. WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AT THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER. EVEN 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE ENGINE BROKE DOWN, WE HAD A MAJOR MAINTENANCE FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR PREVENTING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. AS THE MILEAGE IS OVER THE WARRANTE AMOUNT, TOYOTA DOESN'T PAY FOR THE REQUIRED ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND WE HOPE THEY DO. IT'S NOT FAIR TO LET US PAY AS WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG.

SLUDGE BUILD UP IN ENGINE CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. MY ENGINE IS GOING TO BE INSPECTED BY TOYOTA AT THEIR GRIFFIN GA OUTLET ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2003. I ANTICIPATE THE RUNAROUND AND I AM GETTING ALL THE INFO I CAN TO ARGUE MY CASE. MY ENGINE SUDDENLY IS USING ONE QUART PER 300 MILES AND WHEN I TOOK IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE I SUDDENLY DISCOVERED IT WAS SO GUNKED UP IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT OIL UNLESS POORED IN VERY SLOWLY.

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT TIRES. AFTER ONE YEAR, THE TIRES BEGAN CAUSING VIBRATION IN THE CAR. AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER AND THE TIRE SALES CENTER CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. SO FAR, 3 OF 4 TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK

WE WENT TO THE DEALER TODAY, ARMED WITH AN AMAZING ARRAY OF INTERNET INFORMATION. WE WERE INITIALLY SENT TO THE MAIN RECEPTIONIST WHO WHEN ASKED WHO'S HANDLING THE SLUDGE PROBLEMS? AT FIRST DIDN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE WORD, THEN WHEN MY FIANCE PULLED OUT A WHOLE PACKET OF INFORMATION AND PUT IT IN FRONT OF HER AND SAID THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE OF SHE THEN AID, YOU TOOK ME OFF GUARD AND THEN STOPPED THE GSM OR SM AND ASKED HIM TO TALK TO US. WHEN IN HIS OFFICE, WE SAID, WE BOUGHT A CAR FROM YOU AND HAVE SLUDGE AND THE CAR HAS SAT A MONTH, HE REFERRED US TO THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT. WE WALKED THOUGH THE HALL AND OVER TO REPAIR AND SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER OF THAT DEPARTMENT. HE ASKED FOR THE VIN AND THE MILEAGE, AFTER WE SAID WE HAVE A BAD SLUDGE PROBLEM. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE UP IN THE COMPUTER THEN ASKED IF ANYONE HAD REMOVED THE INTAKE TO SEE IF IT WAS SLUDGE. WE ANSWERED THAT OF COURSE WE HAD TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS, FIRST BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS AN OIL LEAK, BURNING AND CAUSING ALL THE SMOKE. BOTH MECHANICS KNEW IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS SLUDGE, ALTHOUGH THE ONE WAS NICE ENOUGH TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS TO PROVE THERE WAS NO LEAK. WE WERE TOLD THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. AFTER TELLING THE MANAGER THAT TWO MECHANICS HAD SEEN IT, HE ASKED IF IT COULD BE DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE TOLD HIM, SINCE IT IS SHUDDERING AND SMOKING LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN, BOTH MECHANICS ADVISED THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE WOULD SEIZE UP, AND WE WOULD NOT DRIVE IT. HE THEN GAVE US A NUMBER TO A TOWING COMPANY FOR THE DEALERSHIP THAT WOULD TOW AT NO COST TO US TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AGREED TO LOOK AT THE CAR TOMORROW. WHEN I ASKED WHAT IT WOULD COST ME, HE SAID NOTHING, IF IT IS SLUDGE. WE'LL SEE. IF THIS MAN IS AS HONEST AS HE SEEMS, HE'S NOT ONLY RARE, BUT AMAZING. OF COURSE, HE COULD CALL IN A DAY OR TWO AND SAY IT WAS MY FAULT AND WANT OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. UNFORTUNATLLY FOR THE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE THEM.

AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

PROBLEM WITH BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS COMING OFF TRACK AND NOT GOING BACK UP ALL THE WAY. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER 4 TIMES.THREE OCCURENCES WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE LAST OCCURENCE THE COST WAS SPLIT. *AK

ON APRIL 2003, THE CONSUMER BOUGHT 4 BRIDGESTONE TIRES, MODEL POTENZA P195/70R14 DOT- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 WEEKS LATER, ON 4/21 WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT AND TREAD SEPARATED. AGAIN, ON MAY 22 THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT OF THE RIM(S), WHEEL COVER(S), HUB CAPS, AND A REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. *SCC *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HEARD A POPPING SOUND, THEN SAW WHITE SMOKE, SOON AFTER THAT SHE SAW BLACK SMOKE.SHE GOT OUT OF CAR, AND SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, THEN FIRE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE (FRONT OF THE AUTO) PART. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND WHEN THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, THE FIREMAN SAID THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MIXTURE OF OIL GETTING ON THE HOT MOTOR WHICH STARTED THE FIRE.*AK

VEHICLE'S ENGINE FAILED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE CONSUMER WAS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRE. THEY STATED THE CAUSE WAS: LACK OF OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO WEAR OUT. THROW ROD, #3 BEARING ROD SPUN AND CAUSED IT TO BREAK THE ROD. IT WENT THROUGH THE BLOCK AND ALLOWED OIL TO COVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IGNITE, STARTING A FIRE AND MELTING SOME OF THE COMPARTMENTS. *PH *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER VIEWED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. *AK *SCC *JB

MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY NEEDED IT'S SECOND CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST WAS AT ABOUT 33K AND NOW ANOTHER AT 78K. WHY ARE THE CLUTCH GOING SO FAST. WE HAVE ANOTHER VECHICLE 1993 ACCLAIM WITH 170K. WE HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL ALL OUR LIFE WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTILL THIS TOYOTA. *AK

I PURCHASED FOUR NEW BRIDGESTONE "POTENZA RE900" TIRES FOR MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY LE SEDAN FROM COSTCO WHOLESALE (72800 DINAH SHORE DR, PALM DESERT, CA 92211 (760) 202-1362) IN EARLY MAY. TWO WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING TO MORNING CHURCH (APPROX. 45 MPH) I HEARD A LARGE "BOOM" AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD EXPLODED. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION WHERE THEY INSTALLED THE SAME MODEL SPARE TIRE. I RETURNED TO COSTCO AND THEY REPLACED THE SPARE WITH A NEW BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE900 TIRE. LAST SATURDAY EVENING ABOUT 6:00PM (JUNE 21, 2003) WHILE DRIVING HOME TO PALM SPRINGS ON HIGHWAY 10 AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, I HEARD ANOTHER LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED ANOTHER BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE900 TIRE HAD EXPLODED. LUCKILY, SOMEONE STOPPED AND REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE SO I COULD GET HOME. AGAIN, I RETURNED TO COSTCO WHERE THEY REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE900 TIRE. IN MY OPINION, COSTCO'S MANAGER, AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR TIRE SHOULD HAVE: 1. IMMEDIATELY PULLED THEM FROM THE INVENTORY SO THAT THIS MODEL COULD NOT BE SOLD TO OTHER CUSTOMERS 2. REPORTED THIS COSTCO MANAGEMENT... WHO, IMMEDIATELY, SHOULD HAVE PULLED THEM FROM THE INVENTORY OF EVERY STORE 3. REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE 4. REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THE NHTSA. WHAT SHOULD BE MY NEXT RECOURSE OF ACTION? I LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING A PROMPT RESPONSE CONCERNING THIS VERY SERIOUS MATTER. SINCERELY, MILDRED MADSEN. *JB 1370 ADOBE WAY PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262 EMAIL: MADSENEM@AOL.COM PHONE: (760) 323-4683. *JB