1997 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

REFERENCE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 06T016000. COOPER TIRE RECALL# 147 A STARFIRE FLITELINE IV TIRE CAN APART ON MY CAR DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. I TOOK TIRE AND CAR TO A COOPER TIRE STORE (CORNER TIRE STORE PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA) AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL (COOPER RECALL# 147). I FEEL THAT THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER STARFIRE FLITELINE IV TIRES. THIS TIRE IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, IF IT HAD COME APART AT HIGH SPEED, NO ONE WOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS TIRE. *TR

WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA, SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN SECONDS, FLAMES WERE SEEN, BY THE TIME HE REACHED THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FIRE. BY THE TIME HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, MINUTES, THE DASH WAS ENGULFED. IT TOOK 15 MINUTES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT IT OUT. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD REGULAR SERVICES PER MANUFACTURERS REQUIREMENTS, PLUS A SAFETY AND ENGINE EXAMINATION APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS AGO. NO EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM OF ANY KIND WAS FOUND AT THAT TIME. *JB

THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT ROLL BACK AFTER PULLED OUT. NOW THEY ARE STAYING ON THE SEATS. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTS SLOW. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT 45MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE DRIVE AND MAINTAIN ITS SPEED EVEN AFTER THE CONTACT WOULD RELEASE HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DAY HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 APPROACHING BALTIMORE, MD I BEGAN TO FEEL A SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A LOUD KNOCKING LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. I THOUGHT I HAD A BLOWOUT. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST LOCATION ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND FOUND THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CONTINENTAL - SPORTIVE METRIC 195/ TUBULES RADIAL TIRE. THIS TIRE COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF AND BENT THE EXTERIOR CAR PANEL RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BIDDER AND TO THE LEFT AND BELOW THE HOOD WHICH COVERS THE WHEEL WELL AND RIPPED UP MY WIRING HARNESS. A COURTESY VEHICLE STOPPED TO ASSIST ME AND CALLED IT IN TO AAA WHO SENT TOW TRUCK TO BRING ME TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I STILL HAVE NOT THE DAMAGE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR MAN WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT THE WIRES THAT POWERED THE ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP, POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, ETC AND REPLACED THE FUSES THAT BLEW. HOWEVER THE CAR WILL NEED SOME BODY/ELECTRICAL WORK TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE TIRE. I KEPT THE TIRE AND THE PIECES IN THE TRUNK.*AK

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILURE. SEAT BELT WAS EXTENDED TO USE, BUT ONCE EXTENDED AND SECURED WILL NOT RETRACT TO PROPER TENSION. HAS NOW HAPPENED A THIRD TIME TO SEPARATE BELTS. TWICE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, ONCE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IN THE FRONT.*AK

DRIVING DOWN BELTWAY HEARD A POP AND THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE. 911 WAS CALLED FIRE DEPT GOT THERE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO SAVE CAR. DRIVER GOT OUT SAFELY. *TR

ON 3/21/07, I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FROM MERCHANTS TIRE IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WHICH INCLUDED NEW VALVE STEMS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I DROVE AWAY FROM THE SERVICE FACILITY, MY RF TIRE WAS FLAT. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION BY THE SERVICE WRITER AT MERCHANTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A LEAK HAD DEVELOPED FROM A CUT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VALVE STEM. IT WAS THE SERVICE WRITERS THEORY THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS NOT REPLACED DURING THE TIRE SERVICE. THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED AND NO PROBLEMS OCCURRED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR. ON 3/11/08, I COMPLAINED TO THE SAME FACILITY ABOUT ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH A CUT VALVE STEM BUT NO LEAKAGE OCCURRED. PROMPT REPLACEMENT WAS EFFECTED ON REQUEST AND AS OF THIS DATE, I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. *TR

ON MARCH 13, 2007 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 P.M. AS I WAS EXITING A PARKING LOT AND TURNED LEFT ON PAGE STREET IN STOUGHTON, MASS. MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS A CAR WITH TWO OCCUPANTS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT APPROXIMATELY 1/5 OF A MILE IN FRONT OF ME. AS I ACCELERATED FASTER AND FASTER WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT I TRIED TO STOP. THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER STARTED TO SCREAM "GRAMS, WHATS WRONG WHAT'S WRONG" I KNEW I DIDN'T WANT TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS THEY HAD NO IDEA I WAS SPEEDING TOWARDS THEM, AND I KNEW I WOULD SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILL THEM IF I HIT THEM AT MY ACCELERATED SPEED , SO AS I APPROCHED THE INTERSECTION I VEERED TO THE LEFT AS IT WAS AN INDUSTRIAL PARK AND MOST OF THE BUILDINGS WERE CLOSED., BUT, I DIDN'T MAKE THE COMPLETE TURN AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND SMASHED THRU IT AND MY CAR GOT CAUGHT ON TOP OF AN FIRE HYDRANT AND STOPPED.I REMEMBER HITTING AND THEN EVERY THING WENT QUIET MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS SCREAMING AND I ASKED HER IF SHE WAS ALRIGHT. SHE WAS COHERANT AND THE TWO PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THE CAR AT THE LIGHT KNOCKED ON MY WINDOW AND CALLED THE POLICE. I WAS REMOVED FROM MY CAMRY BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE I STAYED FOR TWO DAYS, MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BUT RELEASED. NO ONE BELIEVED ME THAT I DID NOT ACCELERATE THE CAR MYSELF. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR STATED THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK AND THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THEY LOOKED FOR IN THE CAR, I WAS OUT OF WORK FOR THREE MONTHS. I ALMOST LOST MY HOME.. ALL OF MY INSURANCE FORMS STATE THE ACCELERATION I EXPERIENCED INCLUDING THE POLICE REPORT MY CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. . WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT I REALIZED HOW LUCKY WE WERE THAT MY CAR WAS CAUGHT UNDERNEATH BY THE HYDRANT AS IT WAS HEADED INTO A VERY DEEP DROP OFF AND SURELY WOULD HAVE FLIPPED OVER AND DROPPED APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET .NOW WITH THE RECALL I AM VINDICATED BUT VERY ANGRY!!

THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS MAIN REASON THE TRANSMISSION LOCK UP. AND IT HAVE COOLING PROBLEMS. *TR

THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS MAIN REASON THE TRANSMISSION LOCK UP. AND IT HAVE COOLING PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC ,WHERE HE DETERMINED THAT THE 90 DEGREE FUEL LINE CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TO LEAK OVER THE OUTSIDE OF THE TANK. THE CONTACT HAD THE FUEL LINE REPLACED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER FELT THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM AND CHARGED THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK THE FULE PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/25/07. *JB

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL BE UNLOCKED ITSELF WHEN THERE IS A SMALL EXPTERN FORCE ACT TO DOOR FROM INSIDE THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE DASH BOARD ALSO INDICATE THE DOOR IS UNLOCK AND THE DOME LIGHT IS ONL. FURTHER MORE, IT HAPPENDS SOMETIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHCIH IS NOT COMPLANATE.

1997 TOYOTA CAMRY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON I-87. FIRE BEGAN SOMEWHERE UNDER THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. BRAKES FAILED WHILE MOVING TO HIGHWAY SHOULDER. PASSENGERS WERE IMMEDIATELY EVACUATED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE CONTACT TRIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, WHICH CAUSED A CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED BY THE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT FEELS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING AND THAT CAUSE THE CRASH. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. THE VIN 3 WAS UNAVAILABLE.

DT: WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THREW A ROD THROUGH THE ENGINE AND DESTROYED IT. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 31, 2005. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS THE PISTON ROD THAT CAME LOOSE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THEY WERE NOT HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE DAMAGE. *AK 11/02/05. *JB

I OWN A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 194,000 MILES. LAST WEEK IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I PULLED INTO THE OFFICE PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND REMOVED THE KEY. THE STARTER CONTINUED TO TRY TO START THE CAR. I TRIED TO STALL IT OUT BY LETTING OUT THE CLUTCH, BUT IT JUST CONTINUED TO TRY TO START. I THEN PUT THE KEY BACK IN TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. I THEN RAN INTO THE OFFICE TO GET A TOOL TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED THE STARTER QUIT, BUT BY THEN THE SOLENOID WAS SO OVERHEATED IT STARTED TO SMOKE AND BURN. LUCKILY WE HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON HAND. THE DEALER HAS ONLY SAID THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE STARTER. I THOUGHT VEHICLES HAD A FAIL SAFE MEASURE THAT WOULD TERMINATE THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE STARTER ONCE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. *NM

MY CHEK ENIGNE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS HEADED OUT FOR A 250 MILE TRIP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND GOT THEIS LIST OF PROBLEMS. TIMING BELT REPLACMENT,WATER PUMP, RESEAL OIL PAN, REPLACE ENGINE PIPE, TRANSMISSION GASKET AND FILTER REPLACEMENT OXYGEN SENSOR, A/F SENSOR, EFI SERVICE, CAM SEAL, CRANK SEAL, OIL PUMP SEAL . BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. I WENT ON LINE AND REALIZED THAT I HAD OIL SLUDGE. CALLED TOYAOTA, THEY TOLD ME TO GET IT EVALUATED FOR OIL SLUDGE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT INVOLUNTARILY SLIDES BACK WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TYPE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THE 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT LAST FOR MORE THAN THREE MONTHS, AND LESS. *AK

IN JULY, 2003 (PLEASE REFER TO ODI ID NUMBER: 10030262) OUR 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY CE (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) BEGAN LEAKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE. IT WAS DETERMINED INTERNAL PRESSURE HAD CAUSED THE TANK TO BULGE OUT AND RIP AT THE SEAMS. AFTER TWO SOLDERING ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO PATCH THE TANK, THE ENTIRE TANK WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. A PRESSURE TEST WAS CONDUCTED BUT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. IN FEBRUARY 2005 THE GAS TANK STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. THE SAME BULGE FROM INSIDE OUT WAS FOUND AS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SEEN WITH THE OLD AND SINCE REPLACED TANK. THE TANK WAS REMOVED & SENT OUT FOR WELDING, RETURNED AND TESTS WERE CONDUCTED ON THE CHARCOAL FILTER & VACUUM SWITCH. BOTH TESTED FINE. THE VACUUM SWITCH WAS REPLACED AS THE COST OF REPLACING THE CHARCOAL FILTER WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND SINCE IT DIDN'T SHOW FAILURE, IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE NECESSARY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED PERIODIC TESTS IN CASE THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. ALSO, THE HEAT DISTRIBUTOR (I BELIEVE THAT'S THE NAME FOR THE METAL BETWEEN THE EXHAUST PIPE & THE GAS TANK TO KEEP THE TANK FROM OVERHEATING & EXPLODING) WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN "WRINKLED" BUT FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE IN-OUT EXPANSION OF THE TANK, NOT FROM AN OUT-IN PUSH THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM DRIVING OVER SOMETHING. *AK LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER, THE GAS LEAK RETURNED. TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED AND WE WERE REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER. THE CSM COORDINATED WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR PUT UP ON THE RACK AND LOOKED AT. THREE INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING THE CSM DECLARED IT WAS AN "EXTERNAL LEAK FROM THE PATCH" AND FELT IT WAS NOTHING THEY WERE WILLING TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. THEY DID SUGGEST REPLACING THE TANK AND DOING FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS TO ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE THE PROCESS, HOWEVER, THE EXPENSES ARE SO EXTRAORDINARY, WE HAVE OPTED TO REPLACE THE TANK WITH A USED ONE AND LOOK AT OTHER REPLACEMENT VEHICLE OPTIONS, POSSIBLY SELLING PARTS OR TOWING TO A JUNK YARD.

OWNER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND WHILE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE, OWNER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OIL LEAKAGES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED, AND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK

THE FRONT SEATS IN MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY LE COLLAPSE, ON TAKEOFFS OR LEANING BACK ON THEM WITH NOT MUCH PRESSURE OR FALL BACKWARDS WITHOUT NOTICE.

DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT FAILS TO RETRACT AS IT SHOULD...I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE 8 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE DATABASE. I ALSO HAVE 2 FRIENDS THAT HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THEIR CAMRYS.*AK

THE VEHICLE MAD A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY FOLLOWED BY A BANG. THE ROD HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. INCIDENT DATE 01/28/2005. *SC

THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A STEERING RECALL ON NHTSA'S WEBSITE BUT NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM RECALL CAMPAIGN : 99V307000 DEALING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT. *TC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH A KNOCKING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE, THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, THEN TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE FOLLOWING IS A COMPLANT THAT WAS SENT TO TOYOTA MOTOR CO. IT IS NOT MY WISH TO HAVE TO WRITE UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. HOWEVER I MUST, BECAUSE OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE COME TO PASS. MY FAMILY HAS SUPPORTED TOYOTA, AND OFCOURSE ALL OWN TOYOTA DUE TO THE BEAUTIFUL WORK AND CRAFTSMANSHIP OF TOYOTA. HOWEVER MY TOYOTA CAMRY HAS MADE ME TO DOUBT THE STRONG FEELING I ONCE HAD FOR MY CAR. I TURNED MY CAR OVER TO TOYOTA OF LOUISVILLE FOR SERVICE AND THE REPAIR OF OIL SLEDGING. I ASSUME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. HOWEVER AT THE TIME I WITNESSED NO SYMPTOMS. I SIMPLY DID NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. SO I HAD IT SERVICED TO AVOID ANY PROBLEM. LATER AFTER HAVING MY TIMING BELT REPLACED I STARTED TO WITNESS A SLUGGISH ACCELERATION, AND WORSENING GAS MILEAGE, THE PROBLEM WORSENED. EVENTUALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED. AND THE OIL LIGHT ALSO. HOWEVER IT WAS RIGHT BEFORE THE ENGINE THREW A ROD ON THE INTERSTATE ON THE WAY HOME FROM COLLEGE FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CAR RESTORED TO THE STATE IT WAS IN BEFORE THE SPECIAL SERVICING. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOUR COMPANY; I PLAN ON PURCHASING FROM TOYOTA IN THE FUTURE. HOWEVER THIS MATTER HAS PLACED ME IN SALTY WATERS, AND AS U CAN IMAGINE THAT IS NOT A VERY PLEASANT TASTE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR SOMETHING BACK FROM YOUR OFFICE REGARDING THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SINCERELY A FAITHFUL CUSTOMER JOHN R. CUMMINGS JR.*AK

AT 72,000 MILES ENGINE BLEW. PERFECTLY MAINTAINED CAR WITH RECORDS TO BACK IT UP. NEEDED NEW ENGINE. AT 39,000 MILES VALVE SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 67,700 MILES VALVE SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I BELIEVE THIS ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE SINCE THE TIME IT LEFT THE FACTORY. NO RESPONSE FROM MANUFACTURER.*AK

FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING HEAD ON COLLISION. DRIVER WAS INJURED. *NM

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1997 CAMRY V6 WITH AMERI GENERAL G4S TIRES WHOSE SIZE IS 205/65 R15 AND DOT # IS A3UR 442 2301 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ON RTE. 287 NORTH NEAR 14B EXIT FOR BRIDGEWATER MALL , THE RIGHT REAR TIRE JUST BLEW OFF INTO PIECES. THE WHOLE TREAD JUST CAME OFF THE REAR WHEEL AFTER A LOUD NOISE AND WHEN SHE STOPPED SHE FOUND TIRE COMPLETELY DIS-INTEGRATED. IT IS THE FIRST TIME EVER IN OUR LIFE THAT THIS KIND OF THING HAS HAPPENED AND I AM LUCKY THAT MY WIFE IS ALIVE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. BUT SHE IS COMPLETELY UNDER SHOCK AND AFRAID TO DRIVE NOW. AFTER ANALYZING THE WHEEL AT STS TIRE CENTER, THEY JUST WANTED TO GIVE 25% ON NEW SAME TIRE AND NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEFECT WITH TIRE. I WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED BUT REALIZED LATER THAT "HOW WILL THEY ACCEPT FAULT OPENLY" HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED CONTINENTAL DIRECT BY PHONE, THEY ASKED ME TO HANDOVER THE TIRE TO THEM AND I AM AFRAID THAT THEY WILL DEFINITELY NOT REVEAL THE REAL REASON AND JUST OFFER ME PROBABLY FREE 1 TIRE REPLACEMENT. SINCE I AM AWARE OF SEVERAL SUCH INCIDENTS IN THE NEWS, I THOUGHT OF CONTACTING YOUR OFFICE FOR PROPER ACTION. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOUR OFFICE SOON. I HAVE ALSO VERBALLY COMPLAINED OVER PHONE. AWAITING BHARAT AIDASANI. *AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT/TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH WITH ONLY THE DRIVER IN A TOYOTA CAMRY 1997 VEHICLE. (AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT, INSTALLED AT 68,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE 205/65R15 AND THE DOT# IS A3UR4422301) THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTRATED. THE TIRE IS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHICH SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE FRONT. WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED AND THE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMERS RADIO WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT STICKS. VEHICLE TRUNK LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. THE DRIVER SIDE ADJUSTABLE HANDLE DOES NOT WORK. THE RUBBER ON THE MOTOR MOUNT DOES NOT LAST AND BREAKS. THE VEHICLE JERKS REPEATEDLY. *TC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE CURRENTLY HAS A PERMANENT BACK PROBLEM DUE TO THE ADJUSTABLE HANDLE NOT WORKING. *SC

AT ABOUT 70K MILES, MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY STARTING EXHIBITING PROBLEMS OF HUGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE AT COLD STARTUP. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE ENGINE SLUGE OR GELLING PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE TSB-628696 AS NOTED IN THE NHTSA. HOWEVER, TOYOTA HAS DECLINED TO COVER THE REPAIR, BUT IS WILLING TO COVER ONLY THE PARTS, BUT THE LABOR IS BEING CHARGED TO ME. THEY ARE NOT HONORING THE EXTENDED COVERAGE THAT THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED FOR THIS TSB TC02002 AND NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 628696. THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS

WITHIN 1 MONTH, BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE.*AK

MY AUTOMOBILE SUSTAINED A FULL FRONTAL IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 30 MPH BUT THE SAFETY AIRBAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE OR INFLATE. *AK

TRUNK HINGES ARE CUTTING INTO THE WIRE HARNNESS FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS. FUSES FOR THE REVERSE LIGHTS AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE BLOWEN OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY FURTHER INFOMATION OR ADVICE ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED GAS IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE TOTALLY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE.*AK

UNIROYAL TIRES 19570R14 WEAR ON BELT AND TREAD AFTER HAVING TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND ONLY DRIVING ON THE OF A DISATANCE OF 36,000 MILES. *AK

TOOK 1997 CAMRY TO DEALER SEPTEMBER 2002 FOR SLIGHT HESITATION PROBLEM AND ADVISED THEM THAT I NOTICED A SMALL OIL LEAK WHILE PARKED AT HOME. DEALER ADVISED IT WAS ENGINE SLUDGE. CAR REMAINED IN DEALER'S POSSESSION FOR 1 1/2 MONTHS BECAUSE OF NO RESPONSE FROM SERVICE TECH. THEY CLAIMED THAT SLUDGE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, HOWEVER. JULY 8, 2004 THE CAR STOPPED. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE DIED FROM SLUDGING...AGAIN. DEALER SAY THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AND THAT I MUST PURCHASE ANOTHER ENGINE FOR $5200.00 (USED 2000 TOYOTA ENGINE). I ADVISED THEM OF THE LETTER FOUND ON THE I-NET FROM TOYOTO RE. "COVERAGE FOR OIL GELLING RELATED ENGINE DAMAGE FOR 8 YEARS UNLIMITED MILEAGE FROM DATE OF FIRST SALE" BUT SERVICE TECH SAID "WE FIXED IT ONCE AND WE WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN". I AM WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION, AND NO SATISFACTION FROM TOYOTA DEALER. HELP!*AK

TRUNK LID WAS CUTTING THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE BACK UP LIGHTS WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE TRUNK. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

5INCIDENTS: 1) MILDEW ODOR FROM AIRCONDITION (BROUGHT CAR TO CHECK--DATE NOT AVAILABLE). THE AIRCONDITION WAS REPLACED WITH EITHER NEW OR USED PART. *AK 2) WENT TO RENO (SNOWING) AND THE AIRCONDITION (HOT/COLD) DID NOT DEFROST PROPERLY ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALL FOGGED WITH NO VISIBILITY. I STICKED MY HEAD TO THE SIDE WINDOW AND DRIVE VERY SLOWLY & ON A SLOW LANE BEHIND A HUGE TRUCK--IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY!!!!! 3) PERIODICALLY, THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT FLASH TOO FAST BUT BY HITTING THE FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR IT'S WENT BACK TO NORMAL. 6) WHEEL ALIGNMENT--ALWAYS HAVE PROBLEM WITH THAT TOO (AT THE MOMENT CANNOT RECALL DETAILS). 5) ON 6/9/04, MY HUSBAND WENT TO GET A SMOG CHECK. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 15,000 MILES BU IT DIDN'T PASSED THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS VISUAL INSPECTION/FUNCTIONAL CHECK RESULTS. "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT--FAIL. THIS VEHICLE FAILED THE MIL/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DUE TO OBD COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE."--NO SIGNAL. THE CAR IS HARDLY USED AND PARKED IN GARAGE. WHAT SHOULD WE DO AND HOW CAN YOU HELP? THANKS ;-)!!!

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END ALSO, HAD PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK

WHILE PARKED VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. NO FIRE WAS REPORTED.*AK

1997 TOYOTA CAMARY HEAVY BLUE SMOKE ON COLD STARTS, ORIGINALY TAKEN IN FOR OIL GEL PROBLEM WAS TOLD NO GELLING FOUND BUT VALVE OIL SEAL WORN AND NEED REPLACE $1000.00. CAR HAS 85,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVIED BY TOYOTA PER THIER SERVICE MANUAL. HAVE TALKED WITH NUMERIOUS OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT. FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE SEALS BEING SUB STANDARD. PLEASE ADVISE IF OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN POSTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING FRONT END/STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO ENGINE SLUDGE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HOME, HEARD CLANGING NOISE AND CAR LOST POWER - CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. UPON EXAMINATION THE FOLLOWING WAS FOUND: "#3 PISTON ROD BROKEN COMING THROUGH BLOCK" - THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BLOCK. THE DEALER REPLACED SHORT BLOCK, OIL PUMP, BALANCED SHAFT & REPLACED NECESSARY FLUIDS. TOYOTA REPLACED THE ENGINE, HOWEVER, I INCURRED $1,560 IN LABOR. *JB

1997 TOYOTA CAMRY LS POPPING NOISE IN STEERING. *NM

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. *AK