Hesitation Problem with 2007 LE I4

[rollon1300]

Talked to the service manager today who has been working with me to help resolve this hesitation/??? issue on my 07 LE 4-cyl (PZEV) 5A. I asked him if the factory has issued any new maps for the ECU/TCU at this time. He stated that he isn't aware of any as of this morning, but the factory engineer who "scanned" the operating parameters of my vehicle a month ago would be at the dealership on 6/15. The SM is going to question him to see if he can find out what progress has been made to release an updated map.

I will keep this message board informed.

[rollon1300]

If you are having a hesitation problem, try the following test and post your results with the parameters I've stated. I will compile them and report to the forum.


*** (Do not do this in heavy traffic or in a lower posted speed zone)

(Vehicle: 07 LE 4-cyl 5AT, US built with PZEV emissions)

Cruising at 65mph on level ground with transmission locked up in 5th gear and cruise control active, I tapped the cruise control 4 times to increase speed by 4mph. After about 2-4 seconds the transmission came out of lock-up for about 2-4 seconds and then downshifted to 4th to achieve the desired speed. There was about a 2-3 mph overshoot and then the speed settled and we were back locked up in 5th. I repeated this procedure four times and the results were the same each time.

[humbhidesi]

Good news friends.......I had the same hesitation issue with my 2007 Toyota Camry LE 4 CYL (AUTO). Yesterday evening while driving back home after having about 1800 miles on my car, I noticed that the problem is not there any more and the car runs great without any hesitation issues. Also, no problem in heavy traffic. So I guess, everyone need to wait for about 2000 and then see if the problem still exists.

[mtnet2000]

That's cool!! I have about 1300miles, so i'm still teaching my bit@& how to move, she's still a virgin Maybe I should take it easy and not be too tuff on her....

[Chrisco]

I also noticed a hesitation with my 2007 SE V6 during the first month of driving but I've had the car for about 2 months now and put 1400 miles on it and now I don't feel any hesitation whatsoever. Like everyone has already said, I don't know if I just instinctively learned how the Camry wanted to be driven or if my Camry is so darn smart that it learned from my driving habits and adjusted its acceleration habits!

I also tried the cruise control test yesterday on my way home and didn't experience the downshift or overshoot, it smoothly accelerated the 4mph and leveled off.

[rollon1300]

As of last Friday (6/16) there have been no no maps issued for the 07 4-cyl 5A.

My vehicle is still exhibiting the same hesitation symptoms it has since it was purchased. The computer was reset once and I now have 2000 miles on the odo (over 1000 since last reset.)

I now know that some 4-cyl Camry's exhibit this problem, and some don't. I know a fair number of owners, if they notice the problem at all, can be conviced that it is normal operation - IT IS NOT...

My dealer's Service Manager has recommended that I call the 800-331-4331 number and try to accelerate a solution to my problem. I will do this with more than a little trepidation, knowing what some have reported on this process.

I will continue to report to this forum what my experience with Toyota Customer Experience Center is like.

[rollon1300]

07 Camry LE 4-cyl 5A (see earlier posts for details)

Well, I've not been able to post recently about my experience with the Toyota Customer Experience Center, but I will now since I've had a few days to calm down.

Basically I've been blown off by Toyota on my problem!

I won't go into the problems I experienced in getting connected with a Case Manager, but it's not something you want to experience.

When I finally did make a connection, it didn't take long before I realized I was being written off by the CM based on the comments made by the Field Technical Service Engineer on the service report during his visit. Even though he verbally stated that my vehicle was going lean when I accelerated, and this according to the scan tool, he had the dealership note that "they dulpicated my concerns, and that they are normal characteristics of the vehicle." This is a crock!

There are a number of things I can do at this point.

1. I am going to go back to the dealership and see if they will let me drive another vehicle like mine. Other have reported that they have done this and found profound differences in the operation of the vehicles. If my dealer will not give me this option, I will visit other dealers and "test drive" a few 07 4-cyl Camrys.

2. I can pursue arbitration through Toyota.

3. I can pursue the lemon law option.

4. I can notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of my problem - which is certainly safety related.

If my vehicle's problem is like many, but not all, other 07 Camry 4-cyl 5A, then Toyota has a problem that must be addressed and I am willing to pursue this till they do.

If my vehicle's problem is limited to a few vehicles, then I believe I have a "LEMON" and Toyota is going to fix it or replace it.

With my automotive, aircraft, motorcycle and engineering experience, which is extensive, I am DISGUSTED with Toyota telling me that this vehicle "performs normally." Every time I drive this Camry, I get more and more frustrated.

A colleague told me he would help me put together a letter in Japanese to Toyota Headquarters in Japan. He stated that they would be quite upset to hear that my experience with this vehicle and Toyota USA was so unpleasant.

I will continue to post to keep this forum updated on my future experiences with Toyota and this Camry....

[Astroacks6]

I just noticed this post for the first time tonight. Ironically i called my dealership in regards to this exact problem today and was told like most of you that "it's by design".

I'm around 1500 miles and will see if it goes away at 2k.

Also, Rollon1300 i'll let you take the ball and run with it since you have already taken steps thus far. Maybe if it becomes necessary there is some sort of class action we can pursue.

[pjp]

I just chedked with the dealer for software updates for the 5spd 07 transmission. There are a few updates like hard 3rd-4th shifting but nothing for the hesitation.

I think in my case the hesitation is when the trans is downshifting. The delay is longer than I like. Today I had to abort a lane change because of the hesitation.

I left my car with the dealer yesterday so that they could finally get the dealer installed alarm working properly. I got a new Chev impala 8000+ kms with a 3.5L V6 and a 4spd auto. This thing hesitated like my 07 camry. Also the impala build quality was alot lower than the 07 camry. May this is normal? I'm use to manual transmissions and am having a hard time adapting to the slush box.

[jshtick]

wow..i experienced the very same thing. I test drove a 07 Camry I4 and noticed hesitation while accelerating. When i told the salesperson, he let me drove another camry. The other camry was very smooth. I ended up buying that car and it hasnt given me any accerleration hesistation like the one i intially test drove.

I dont know if this matters or not, but the one with the hesitation problems was assesmbled in Japan. While the camry that i eventually bought with much smoother acceleration was assembled in kentucky.

[adrand]

RollOn1300- What dealership are you dealing with? Just curious. Thanks.

[rollon1300]

Originally Posted by adrand

RollOn1300- What dealership are you dealing with? Just curious. Thanks.

Copeland - Brockton

[rollon1300]

Originally Posted by jshtick

wow..i experienced the very same thing. I test drove a 07 Camry I4 and noticed hesitation while accelerating. When i told the salesperson, he let me drove another camry. The other camry was very smooth. I ended up buying that car and it hasnt given me any accerleration hesistation like the one i intially test drove.

You are the third poster who has tried multiple Camry I4's and found one with a hesitation problem and one without. Is the Camry you purchased a PZEV (CA) vehicle or a ULEV (US or 50 states)

Originally Posted by jshtick

I dont know if this matters or not, but the one with the hesitation problems was assesmbled in Japan. While the camry that i eventually bought with much smoother acceleration was assembled in kentucky.

Mine was assembled in Kentucy

[jshtick]

Originally Posted by rollon1300

You are the third poster who has tried multiple Camry I4's and found one with a hesitation problem and one without. Is the Camry you purchased a PZEV (CA) vehicle or a ULEV (US or 50 states)

im not sure but i think its ULEV since i dont live in CA.

[rollon1300]

Originally Posted by jshtick

im not sure but i think its ULEV since i dont live in CA.

There are a number of states that get both the PZEV and the ULEV. You can check under the hood (the inside front edge) or look at the window sticker. I live in MA and have the PZEV, but I have seen a few ULEV units at my dealership.