2004 Toyota Camry Visibility & Wipers Problems

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

2004 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE V6 SUNROOF STUCK. WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH WITH THE SUNROOF FULLY OPENED, IT BEGAN TO RAIN. I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT AND IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. I TRIED TO PULL OVER, BUT WITH THE RAIN AND SOME HAIL ON MY EYES, IT WAS HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY SUNROOF WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THESE CARS HAVE ISSUES WITH SUNROOFS GETTING STUCK, BUT BECAUSE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THE DEALER WILL NOT PAY. DEALER ESTIMATED APPROXIMATELY $1,200 WILL COST TO FIX IT. *TR

PROBLEMS WITH THE SUNROOF. CABLES BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY RIGHT AFTER THE THIRD YEAR. DEALER SAID THE ENTIRE PULLEY SYSTEM BROKE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. DEALER SAID WARRENTY HAD JUST EXPIRED, COST OVER $1000+ TO REPLACE IT. TWO YEARS AGO, WHILE DROVE ON THE FREEWAY; THE ROOF EXPLODED, GLASS DROPPED ALL OVER, IT WAS SCARY. PAID $800+ AND INSTALLED THE NEW ROOF WITH DEALER, A MONTH LATER THE PULLEY BROKE AGAIN. THE DEALER SAID WE HAVE TO PAY $1000+ AGAIN. IT IS DIFFERENT ISSUE THAN THE GLASS. TOTAL COST OVER $3000+ FOR JUST A SUN ROOF ITSELF. UNTIL NOW, I HAVEN'T REPLACED YET. I AM AFRAID TO KEEP REPLACING THE PULLEY SYSTEM. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED. IN JANUARY 2010, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

MY TOYOTA CAMRY LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR WAS BURNED , BUT THE FUSE STILL GOOD, AND I PULLED RIGHT SIDES TWO FUSES, THE WINDOWS STILL CAN GO UP AND DOWN, THAT MEAN THE ELECTROCITY DIDN'T GO THROUGH FUSES TO THE MOTORS. *TR

I AM THE AUTHOR OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10253724, RELATING TO SUN GLARE ON MY 2004 SOLARA. ABOUT 5,000 MILES AGO I PURCHASED BLACK FELT FROM A LOCAL FABRIC STORE AND COVERED THE TOP PORTION OF THE DASH BOARD, WHERE THE SUN HITS, USING DOUBLE SIDED TAPE. IT IS NOW LIKE LOOKING THROUGH NEW GLASS. THERE IS NO MORE GLARE, EVEN NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER. I STILL BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE SOME TYPE OF DASH COVER AVAILABLE, THOUGH. *TR

BOTH SUN VISORS HAVE FAILED WITH ORDINARY USE. THE BRACKETS BREAK AND THE SUN VISOR FALLS IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE OBSTRUCTING YOUR VISION. THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AS THE PLASTIC BRACKET EASILY BREAKS. THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR BROKE FIRST THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TALKED WITH THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WERE LOTS OF REPLACEMENTS. THE COST TO REPLACE BOTH WERE IN EXCESS OF $250.00. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT CAN EASILY CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS. MY SON WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR HAD PINNED THE VISORS UP TO THE OVERHEAD MATERIAL WITH STRAIGHT PINS TO KEEP IT FROM DROPPING IN HIS FACE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS UNTIL HE WENT OFF TO COLLEGE BECAUSE HE WAS THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE CAR. I KNOW THIS IS NOT ON THE SAME LEVEL AS A AIR BAG BUT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD NEVER THE LESS AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD ONE SUN VISOR EVER BREAK, YET THIS CAR HAD TOW BREAK. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD VISORS AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO FORWARD THEM TO YOU FOR TESTING. I LOOKED AT THEM AND COULD EASILY SEE WHERE THE DEFECT IS, YET I AM NOT A ENGINEER. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THESE ISSUES BUT MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE TO COMPLAIN OF THIS DEFECT. I WOULD BE EASY TO SEE JUST HOW MANY ARE REPLACED. THIS IS "CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE" THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT CAN IMPAIR A DRIVERS VISIBILITY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *JS

ADDITIONAL INFO REGARDING ODI CASE NUMBER: 10142658, SUN GLARE ON 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE REFLECTION OF SHEEN ON THE DASHBOARD BACK ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, MUCH LIKE A PROJECTION SCREEN. IN CERTAIN CASES I HAVE "LOST" OTHER VEHICLES IN THE GLARE. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED I PURCHASE A DASHBOARD COVER. IT SEEMS TOYOTA SHOULD COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF FIX, NOT AFTERMARKET VENDORS AND NOT AT MY EXPENSE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM ON SUNNY DAYS. *TR

IF YOU TRY TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN (DRIVER'S WINDOW), IT COMES OFF TRACK - NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, JUST HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO LET IT DOWN. *TR

MALFUNCTION OF MY SUNROOF IN MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SE. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED COMMON PROBLEM... *TR

I AM REPORTING THIS DUE TO THE RECALL ON THE 2004 COROLLA FOR DEFECTIVE PASSENGER WINDOW MECHANISM. I HAVE A 2004 SOLARA THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. TOYOTA REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EVEN WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE WINDOW, WHEN ROLLED UP WOULD NOT STOP BECAUSE PART OF THE WINDOW MECHANISM CAME LOOSE AND FELL OFF. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT HAD A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER TURNED OFF/FAILED WHEN WATER SPLASHED ONTO THE VEHICLE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS AT 35 MPH. . THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP AND SHE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO SEE. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAW THAT THE DEFROSTER LIGHT AND THE AIR RECIRCULATION LIGHT WERE FLASHING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE DEFROSTER STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SPLASHED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007 -THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS HER FAULT. *NM

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA WITH A MOONROOF. AS I WAS DRIVING THIS EVENING THE MOONROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THE MOONROOF WAS BOWED UPWARD AND SMALL FRAGMENTS OF GLASS FELL INTO THE DRIVING COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR GLASS SHATTERED ONTO THE OCCUPANT. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEATBELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BODY REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OF THE DAMAGE BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

THE DESIGN ( ANGLE ) OF THE WINDSHIELD CREATES SEVERE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN. THE GLARE OFF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS BLINDING EVEN WITH THE SUNSHADE DOWN. USING SUNGLASSES HELPS BUT DOES NOT ELEVATE THE PROBLEM AT ALL. I HAVE TRIED ADJUSTING SEAT TO CHANGE VIEWING ANGLE BUT WONT HELP. THIS IS A PROBLEM I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN. THIS CONCERNS ME VERY MUCH AND MAKES ME HESITANT TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS. WITH SUN BEHIND YOU THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY. *JB

THERE IS A STRONG SMELL COMING THROUGH THE DEFOGGER SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BECOME NAUSEAS. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR CHECKUP, BUT THE CAUSE IS UNDETERMINED. *NM

THERE IS A HAZE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR WINDOWS. I HAVE CLEANED THE WINDOWS BUT THE HAZE REAPPEARS. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS "VINYL OUT GASSING PER TOYOTA TECH ASSISTANCE. DEALER SAYS PROBLEM COULD LAST FROM 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. THE HAZE IMPAIRS MY VISION ESPECIALLY AT DUSK AND AT NIGHT. THE PROBLEM SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE USE AND MARKET VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE "GASSING" PROBLEM IS ALSO A HEALTH ISSUE. I WILL NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT BECUASE OF THE VISION PROBLEM. I RARELY DRIVE DURING THE DAY AND ONLY WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOWN BECAUSE OF THE "GASSING" PROBLEM. *AK

I NEED YOUR HELP ON PROBLEMS AND LAWS GOVERNING NEW CARS. I JUST TOOK DELIVERY OF MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. THE PROBLEM IS AN OBSTRUCTED VIEW OUT OF MY REARVIEW MIRROR. THERE IS ONLY A 12" WIDTH BETWEEN THE TWO LARGE HEADRESTS ON THE BACK SEAT. I HAVE BLIND SPOTS THAT I CANNOT PICK UP WITH EITHER MY SIDE MIRRORS OR MY REARVIEW MIRROR. I HAVE BEEN TO THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL. AS THE LAW IS WRITTEN, HAD I LOADED MY CAR TO BLOCK THE VIEW IN THIS MANNER, I WOULD BE IN VIOLATION. HOWEVER, A CAR CAN BE CONSTRUCTED WITH AN OBSTRUCTED VIEW. APPARENTLY, MY TOYOTA IS NOT THE ONLY CAR DESIGNED WITH AN OBSTRUCTED VIEW. FRIENDS OF MINE WHO DRIVE VANS TELL ME THEY ALSO CANNOT SEE WELL OUT OF THEIR REARVIEW MIRRORS. PLEASE HELP. THERE SHOULD BE A LAW GOVERNING MANUFACTURES TO PROVIDE PROPER VIEW FOR PASSENGER CARS. *JB

REAR WINDOW IS BLOCKED BY THE HEAD REST. ALSO, THE WHEN THE SUN VISOR IS DOWN, IT BLOCKS THE REAR WINDOW . MANUFACTURE STATES THAT THE DESIGN MEETS DOT COMPLIANCE.*AK THE CONSUMER ALSO INDICATED THAT EH REAR WINDOW APPEARED TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY SMALL THAN PRIOR YEAR SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. *NM

CAR'S DESIGN MAKES CHANGING LANES HIGHLY DANGEROUS: THE BACK WINDOW IS EXTREMELY SMALL AND NARROW, AND THE TWO BACK SEATS HAVE UNUSUALLY HIGH HEAD RESTS WHICH COMPLETELY BLOCK THE SMALL WINDOW.*AK