This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My check engine light has been on and off for over 2 years. I have had both catalytic converters replaced, a new gas cap and every other issue the garages have told me are causing the problem. With each fix the light goes off for about a week and then comes back on. Toyota dealerships always tell me it is because I do not tighten my gas cap, but I tighten it until it clicks. I am not losing any mileage with the light on or having any other difficulties with car, but I can not pass the emission test with the light on. I feel that the light is on because of a glitch in the system or a defect, because I am not experiencing any of the normal problems that come with a check engine light on for long periods of time.
On Tuesday, 7/12/2011, I needed to have my 2000 Toyota Camry inspected to get the renewal sticker. I took the car to R&D automotive here in asheboro because a check engine light had come on. Two of the codes would not clear. They had to replace the evaporative emission system canister at a cost of $300, not including labor, in order for the car to pass inspection. I have found online that Toyota has had/is having a problem with these canisters. Therefore, I request to be reimbursed $300 for this canister.
My Toyota Camry 2000 motor blew up while driving 55 mph in Dec, 2009. Oil light came on just moments before it started knocking. No check engine light came on. No warning. In Aug 2009 my check oil light came on and I took it into Toyota. They said it was just my gas cap. It came on again the next day, I took it back to Toyota, I told them I smelled a burning smell. They said nothing was wrong with my car. I took it back a third time and told them something was wrong. They said I could maybe use a new oil cap and perhaps use a new belt but nothing was wrong with my car. My check engine light never came on again. (I believe they disconnected it.) when my engine blew in Dec. 2009, I had it towed to Toyota. They informed me my oil had gelled and it would be about $5,000 to fix it. I told them I got my oil changed every 3 to 4 thousand miles. I did not wait till the 5,000 mile mark like it said to in my Toyota handbook. They said sometimes it just happens madam. Toyota refused to pay to fix it.
On Sunday February 21, 2010 my daughter who was driving her Toyota Camry 2000 model sees her battery indicator light go on without warning. Then the car stopped completely and started to smoke out from the engine. Without any further indicator lights displaying the engine flamed out and shortly thereafter the entire front of her car spontaneously exploded. The car had received its timely inspection and maintenance and there was no indication from the reports that showed that this vehicle needed any further mechanical workup. Due to the common sense of our child she had stepped out of the car when it had started to smoke out and did not suffer any injuries. The necessary emergency crews had to shut down the surrounding residential roads and the 2 gasoline stations that this event had occurred outside of and we were all lucky that there were no casualties.
2000 Toyota Camry - 68,400 miles. Sounded like engine had difficulty getting air. Humming noise coming from firewall area of engine. Gas mileage went from 450 miles per tank to 200 miles per tank. Garage replaced air fuel sensor. Problem resolved.
- Sewell, NJ, USA
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2000 Toyota Camry driven at normal highway speed threw a rod through the engine block. This vehicle has always been properly maintained which I can prove with receipts from my certified mechanic. No one I spoke to at Toyota would help me. This car was purchased as a certified used vehicle. The warranty has expired but this should not have happened at all esp. With only 80,000 miles. I had to replace the entire engine all at my cost. This same vehicle broke a timing chain a year and a half ago. Fortunately, it was still under warranty then. I specifically purchased a Toyota because of their supposed reliability and customer service. This will be my last Toyota.
While on a road trip, oil light came, plenty of oil in it. We had to drive slowly for about 45 minutes to get out of the boonies, engine light them came on, shut down immediately. Had to have car towed so not to hurt the engine. Mechanic said the engine is shot!!! 2000 Toyota Camry xle - V6 doesn't even have 50,000 miles on it yet. I bought this car brand new and for big bucks! thoroughly disgusted. Never had a problem with this car until now?
While driving on the highway, no warning lights or temperature lights went off, but a rattling sound occurred, prior to a "pop", which was the engine "blowing" up. This later was diagnosed as the blow up of rod #4, which tore through the engine block, with current repair cost estimated at $6000. The vehicle has received regular maintenance including oil changes within manufacturer guidelines. Since this year and model was part of the "oil sludge" mess, I inquired why I never received any notice from the manufacturer of this potential for the engine to seize suddenly with no warning. They indicated my VIN supposedly is not part of this campaign and since the mileage is 96000 miles, I am not covered. Toyota totes a "quality" product, yet this is the first car in my life that has not made it to 140,000 miles or more. Toyota to date has offered no assistance with no explanation of why the engine would suddenly die with so few miles. They indicate that this is not related to their oil sludge nightmare or engine design problems.
I have a 2000 Toyota Camry with 62,000 miles that has had the oil changed every 3000 miles or less, and has been properly maintained. I was travlling at around 65 mph on a busy highway during a holiday weekend when without any warning I heard a loud noise. Fortunately I was able to get the vehicle off of the road and I discovered that there was oil everywhere. When a passerby stopped he showed me a hole in the engine block. When the car was towed to a Toyota dealer and examined, they observed that the engine had thrown the #4 rod. Since the car was 2,000 miles out of warranty, as a "good will" gesture Toyota agreed to replace the engine, but I was stuck with labor estimated at around $1,500. I have written to Toyota and asked them to pay for labor also, but they haven't made a final determination as of yet. The road I was travelling on less than 10 min before the incident occured (the pa turnpike) was hillly, curvey and crowded. If the engine had blown on that highway an accident would have ensued due to the large volume of traffic and absence of adequate shoulder space. I'm still waiting for shaffertoyota in cumberland, md to repair my car. As far as I know they have the defective engine.
My husband was getting on the on ramp to the freeway when there was a loud noise, he thought he blew a tire. When he checked, the short block was cracked. The cylinder had gone through the block. There was absolutely no warning: No oil light, no overheating, no abnormal engine noise, oil was full when checked two weeks prior. Toyota refused to pay total repair costs due to the fact we were only able to produce evidence of two oil changes in 15 months of ownership/24,000 miles. We bought the car at 21.5K miles, dealer changed oil at 31K miles in Dec 02, one oil receipt I could find was dated June '03, car was due for another change. I took pictures of the engine today and received a requested oil sample. The pictures show sludge on the pistons, a cracked piston and a severely cracked short block. Mechanic says one of the rods is bent, also. I could not see any deformity in the rods, but have a picture of all four rods.
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- Halethorpe, MD, USA