I don't like my 2002 Camry. Strange things happening...

[kero]

I got my 02 Camry last May. I liked its design and the test drive went well too. It was very quiet and comfortable, and seemed to handle well.

Today, I only have about 1000 miles on it, and I already started to notice some strange things. Increased vibration is one of them. When I got the car, it only sometimes had a slight spike in vibrations just before coming to a stop. Then, I could hardly hear the engine running. Now, when I stand in traffic, it vibrates, sometimes more, sometimes less. When I put it in reverse, it starts vibrating even more...

Another annoying thing that I just noticed, maybe because it's just started, is the way the transmission shifts when accelerating from 20-30 mph. There's like a half-second delay between the time I press the gas pedal and the time it actually reacts to it. Very strange, but I never noticed this until a couple of days ago. Maybe it's because this crap just started...

I don't know, but these things annoy me as hell! It's a freaking new car! It is supposed to perform like a new car...

Anyone's got similar experiences? Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!


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2002 Toyota Camry LE (4cyl) AT

[spellspoil]

take it to the dealer

[Deep]

Its under warranty man, do as SpellSpoil says.

[kero]

Yeah, but it seems it will be pretty difficult for me to convince the dealer that these things are NOT normal. I took it to the dealer once, and complained about the vibrations (at that time it was only noticable with AC on), and they said "It is normal, no problems found"

Guys, can you arm me with some tech info on these issues/possible causes, so that I know what I'm talking about when I go back to the dealership?

[CorollaKen]

1,000 miles since May 2002 ?
That's a lot of cash to be tied up sitting in your laneway dood !
I'm sure you could ask some TN guys to take it out once in a while - work those sweaks and rattles !

Just buggin' ya :P

[kero]

Yeah, I know... My old piece of junk car died, and I was kind of ready for a new one So, I got it. Now, I'm a dissatisfied Toyota owner... :wink:

[Silver Streak]

Hmmm...I now have about 1200 kms and I've only been driving my 2003 for two weeks! I don't have any complaints so far, but I'll watch out for those problems you mentioned....

Just curious, how are you breaking in your car?

[96CamryDX]

is it a 4 cy.....cause i mean the nature of a 4 cy is to vibrate...least all 4cy i have ridden have done that shit

[Phi]

I think I read that the Gen5s had drive shaft probs. Worth investigating at the dealer.

Check this out for recalls;

http://www.alldata.com/recalls/index.html

[Ken4]

The 2.4L 2AZ-FE is a much smoother engine than the 2.2L 5SFE. At idle in D with the AC on, the vibration at the steering & brake pedal is very minimal.

Recommend you to change your oil & filter every 3 months regardless of mileage. Synthetic 50wt oil (e.g. 10w-50) will make your engine smoother (but less fuel efficient). Use premium gasoline (92 or higher) & add in a bottle of fuel injector cleaner.

It is not good to leave the car sitting in your garage or driveway for long periods w/o use. Condensation will set in the engine and the fuel tank. There are procedures for long term storage.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/sub_care_sat/2002/10/storing_your_car/

[Zeek321]

i know what u mean, its hard to explain to someone that something is wrong when its brand new. but you're the customer, take one of the shop ppl with you... i hate having somehting new then all the sudden little things happen...

[Luc]

There seems to be something misprogrammed with the A/T ECU for the '02 ES300, thus, subsequently the '02-up Camry. Toyota has issued an update to recalibrate the 2-sec hesitation caused after the accelerator has been pressed. You may want to inform your dealer about this new update, many ES owners have complained (on www.clublexus.com), and they are getting some answers.

Luc

[mtnet2000]

On my gen5 If i don't let the car warm up in the cold mornings it hesitates real bad and sometimes it takes like 6 cranks to get it started. I took it to the dealership and they can't find anything. Also when Idle its rough its actual rougher than my Old 5S-fe. And around the exhaust tip it all black carbon build up, the dealership said this is normal? Is It? And 1 more thing when I turn up the heat, as the interior heats up, I hear cracking and noise like something is expanding, I only have6500 on her, I kinda not happy

[kero]

No, mine doesn't sit in the driveway. I drive it every day. It's just that I work less than a mile away from my house...

Regarding the drive shaft problems with Gen5s, I found this on the alldata.com:

SS001-02 MAR 02 Drive Shaft - Nut Chisel Tool.

Does anyone know what this service bulletin is about?

[PLRBEAR]

Originally Posted by kero

No, mine doesn't sit in the driveway. I drive it every day. It's just that I work less than a mile away from my house...

One thing to note about your travel habits. Travelling one mile to and from work everyday constitutes extremely harsh conditions. As it is, i don't think your engine has a chance to warm up by the time you get to your workplace. Take the car on long trips every now and then. Gives your exhaust a chance to evaporate any moisture in the system, and your engine the workout it should have.