5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
When I 1st got my Camry LE ('07), everything felt great except that I had a problem with a tire. I took the car in and the dealer replaced both rear tires. On my why home, I felt the car was floating at hwy speeds.
With help from people on this forum, I found that they had put a different model tire on the rear and I got the dealer to take care of that issue. Since then, this floating feeling has come back!
Not only has the floating come back, but now I have a clunking in the steering. The clunking started at about 1400 miles on the odo. It's the kind of clunk you might get when you tapped on the brakes on older cars. It does it mostly at low speeds but also at hwy speeds. At 1st I thought it was the brakes because it would happen right after using the brakes but now it's happening even without touching the brakes. If I just idles the car around in a parking lot and move the steering left to right, I can feel and hear the clunk. It's not as harsh as when the turn signal returns but the feeling is similar. If I point out the sound to a front seat passanger, they hear it also.
Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? It feels like there is slop somewhere, but the steering is very responsive, so I'm guessing it's something else and this leaves a very bad taste in my mouth about Toyota and their reputation; being this is my 1st Toyota. I think I made a BIG mistake by going with Toyota based on their reputation instead of shopping other brands before purchasing. The only other new car I've ever had problems right from the start was an '86 Pontiac Grand AM, which ended up being junk. Since then I haven't even looked at another GM vehicle.
I feel yea,I'm in the same situation. I didn't get to drive my camry in the freeway until last saturday, and I felt the same, the car was moving side to side, just like floating, kind of like when is really really windy and you feel the car moving, also I can feel any inperfection on the road in the stering wheel and It's pulling to the left, I think that It has to be aligment. I'll take it in on saturday to the dealer. I hope Toyota dealers are different that the other Dealers, GM , Honda, Nissan..I want to get done with this issues so I can lower the car, I know once I lower the car they will say that's the reason why the car is acting funny.
Let's see what they tell me about the floating sensation and I let you know..
I'm gonna take it to the world's largest Toyota dealership (as they advertise it) so far the customer service It's been very very nice, I'm hoping the service departament is the same......
Ho guys-I posted the esame thing a week ago...about some "thug" sound coming form my steering wheel base at low speeds, most audible at slower speeds especially after accelerating after a stop. I had no changes dont to this car and have about 1400 mi. on it. I took it to the dealer. I made an apoointment to drop the car off so that I would have a loaner car when I got there-no waiting. They looked at it the next day, and said nothing was room...alignment and everything was okay. They said the sound was coming from the intake valve. Since I took it home, I have not heard any noise from it.
Just make sure, you make an appointment to drop it off, and also make sure they will have a loaner car ready for you so you will not have to wait. They were pretty good to me.
Well, I, too, had the "floating" sensation with my 2007 Camry LE V6 - had the shop re-balance, re-align and re-balance, including road force balance. They finally said that all four of the original tires were "bad," and replaced them.
My car came with Bridgestone tires - and they put on some "Yokohama" tires. On my 40-mile trip back hope the floating sensation was gone, the car tracked much better, and most of the vibration (not all) was gone.
I still think there's something other than tires involved with the vibration between 64 and 78 mph. Hmm. . .maybe gremlins?
The transmission got a bit worse today, hesitation and very rough shifting. Almost had another rear-end collision. Hope they get some help for us!
When I 1st got my Camry LE ('07), everything felt great except that I had a problem with a tire. I took the car in and the dealer replaced both rear tires. On my why home, I felt the car was floating at hwy speeds.
With help from people on this forum, I found that they had put a different model tire on the rear and I got the dealer to take care of that issue. Since then, this floating feeling has come back!
Not only has the floating come back, but now I have a clunking in the steering. The clunking started at about 1400 miles on the odo. It's the kind of clunk you might get when you tapped on the brakes on older cars. It does it mostly at low speeds but also at hwy speeds. At 1st I thought it was the brakes because it would happen right after using the brakes but now it's happening even without touching the brakes. If I just idles the car around in a parking lot and move the steering left to right, I can feel and hear the clunk. It's not as harsh as when the turn signal returns but the feeling is similar. If I point out the sound to a front seat passanger, they hear it also.
Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? It feels like there is slop somewhere, but the steering is very responsive, so I'm guessing it's something else and this leaves a very bad taste in my mouth about Toyota and their reputation; being this is my 1st Toyota. I think I made a BIG mistake by going with Toyota based on their reputation instead of shopping other brands before purchasing. The only other new car I've ever had problems right from the start was an '86 Pontiac Grand AM, which ended up being junk. Since then I haven't even looked at another GM vehicle.
Thanks!!
You have a brand new car. It has a full 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Don't guess at what is wrong. Take it in to the dealer and let them diagnose the problem. Calling and making an appointment is a good idea, but not always necessary.
You've got the same floating feeling. It's exactly as if the wind was pushing you side to side. Sorry to hear you've got the same problem, and if the dealer get's mine fixed, I'll let you know what they had to do.
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Marichi,
Who's your dealer? My dealer doesn't want to provide a loaner to me until after they inspect it and they can confirm that it will have to stay over night. My dealer also offers pickup/dropoff but they don't want to do that either unless they absolutly have to because "I live too far."
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Writer,
I've got a vibration on the hwy also once I hit around 60mph. I hope they can at minimum can fix that without an issue, but I have a funny feeling that if they can't get the clunking/thud, clicking, or what ever one wants to call it in the steering wheel, they won't be able to get rid of the vib. You might ask why? The reason is because I think all this vib, floating and clunk are related. I think somethings not tight in the steering shaft or a suspension componant.
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Mike,
The reason I'm guessing/asking is because I don't trust the dealer. I don't care if it's covered by warranty because my time is worth $$$ and I don't want to have to keep taking in a "Brand NEW" vehicle, especially since one of the reason I bought what I did was because of Toyota's reputation of quality. So far Toyota has earned a BIG FAT ZERO in my book.
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As for the clunking/thud/clicking or whatever I hear/feel in the steering wheel, it seems some '03 to '06 Camry's had the problem also. I found a link to a TSB last week that said something about replacing a shaft with a new short design shaft or something. You would think if Toyota had this problem in the past with a design, they would have known how to do it right the next time around. Where's the quality in that???
Can someone explain in detail what the "Floating" effect feels like?
I don't know how else to explain it other then that it feels like the wind is pushing the car side to side. Basically while your driving down a straight road, it's like someone pushed your car from the side so you have to, ever so slightly, correct your steering to stay straight.
If you've ever been in a tall vehicle like a Expedition during a bad storm, you'll know exactly what it feels like, but just not as pronounced in the Camry. Also if you can imagine riding a bicycle with a warped front rim, think about how the bike would still go straight but it wobbles side to side without you moving the handle bar. It's kinda like that.
You've got the same floating feeling. It's exactly as if the wind was pushing you side to side. Sorry to hear you've got the same problem, and if the dealer get's mine fixed, I'll let you know what they had to do.
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Marichi,
Who's your dealer? My dealer doesn't want to provide a loaner to me until after they inspect it and they can confirm that it will have to stay over night. My dealer also offers pickup/dropoff but they don't want to do that either unless they absolutly have to because "I live too far."
==
Writer,
I've got a vibration on the hwy also once I hit around 60mph. I hope they can at minimum can fix that without an issue, but I have a funny feeling that if they can't get the clunking/thud, clicking, or what ever one wants to call it in the steering wheel, they won't be able to get rid of the vib. You might ask why? The reason is because I think all this vib, floating and clunk are related. I think somethings not tight in the steering shaft or a suspension componant.
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Mike,
The reason I'm guessing/asking is because I don't trust the dealer. I don't care if it's covered by warranty because my time is worth $$$ and I don't want to have to keep taking in a "Brand NEW" vehicle, especially since one of the reason I bought what I did was because of Toyota's reputation of quality. So far Toyota has earned a BIG FAT ZERO in my book.
==
As for the clunking/thud/clicking or whatever I hear/feel in the steering wheel, it seems some '03 to '06 Camry's had the problem also. I found a link to a TSB last week that said something about replacing a shaft with a new short design shaft or something. You would think if Toyota had this problem in the past with a design, they would have known how to do it right the next time around. Where's the quality in that???
I don't know how else to explain it other then that it feels like the wind is pushing the car side to side. Basically while your driving down a straight road, it's like someone pushed your car from the side so you have to, ever so slightly, correct your steering to stay straight.
If you've ever been in a tall vehicle like a Expedition during a bad storm, you'll know exactly what it feels like, but just not as pronounced in the Camry. Also if you can imagine riding a bicycle with a warped front rim, think about how the bike would still go straight but it wobbles side to side without you moving the handle bar. It's kinda like that.
Hi Crabjoe...
Ask for James Causey; he was my salesman, and tell him that I referred you (the doctor). Russel Toyota even has a customer loyalty program: $22 for oil change, free loaner cars and free car wash. Maybe you can set up an arrangement with him. Good luck!
The reason I'm guessing/asking is because I don't trust the dealer. I don't care if it's covered by warranty because my time is worth $$$ and I don't want to have to keep taking in a "Brand NEW" vehicle, especially since one of the reason I bought what I did was because of Toyota's reputation of quality. So far Toyota has earned a BIG FAT ZERO in my book.
I understand how you feel, but I also think you should take it in to your dealer so you get it on record with Toyota that there is a problem with the car. I have been a long time Toyota Camry customer. I have a 2007 XLE on order right now. This will be our 4th Camry. The 3rd, a 98 XLE, was recently totaled in an bad accident. I feel strongly enough about Toyota Camry quality to go out and order another one. No car I have ever owned has been absolutely perfect, the day I picked it up. I am pretty anal about my cars, so I notice every little flaw. I judge a car by how it drives, how reliable it is and how it lasts, long term. I plan to keep my cars 10-12 years. Incidently, we still have our 94 XLE. It runs and looks as good as the day we picked it up. Only 78,000 miles on it now. I think long term you will be happy with the car. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.
I understand how you feel, but I also think you should take it in to your dealer so you get it on record with Toyota that there is a problem with the car. I have been a long time Toyota Camry customer. I have a 2007 XLE on order right now. This will be our 4th Camry. The 3rd, a 98 XLE, was recently totaled in an bad accident. I feel strongly enough about Toyota Camry quality to go out and order another one. No car I have ever owned has been absolutely perfect, the day I picked it up. I am pretty anal about my cars, so I notice every little flaw. I judge a car by how it drives, how reliable it is and how it lasts, long term. I plan to keep my cars 10-12 years. Incidently, we still have our 94 XLE. It runs and looks as good as the day we picked it up. Only 78,000 miles on it now. I think long term you will be happy with the car. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.
Mike
Mike,
The reason I bought a Camry was because of stories like yours. All I kept hearing and reading in articles was about how good Honda and Toyota's reliability and quality was, but it seems Toyota is slipping.
I say slipping because I've been reading articles about how Toyota quality is not what it was in the past. Take a look at this article http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/...ss/quality.php ; it says that Japan's pride is hurt due to Toyota and Sony's quality issues at this time.
I hope when you get your new Camry, everything is 100% and I hope mine gets fixed. I can tell you that all the vehicles I've bought since '87 have been pretty much problem free. The ones that did have problems didn't appear until 30K + miles and it was usually something like a bad seal or an O2 sensor going out, which were easily diagnosed and fixed. This Camry, I've had a problem from the 1st day I picked it up. On my way home, I heard a thunking in the tire, then the Floating problem and now the steering wheel thunk, clunk or whatever one wants to call it. I have this gut feeling I made a mistake banking on Toyota's reputation, but I hope Toyota proves my gut wrong.
As for keeping a car, I do too. I don't trade them in, I pretty much keep them until they die, and because I spend so much time driving, I need a car that's problem free. With the 4 vehicles I currently have, the Jeep I use for 4 wheeling, the Expedition was a daily driver, the Dodge was my tow vehicle (I tow a 10K lb boat and the Jeep for recreation) and now the Camry, I could probably keep OPEC in business. The Jeep doesn't get many miles (It's a '95 with 150K miles) these days since it's a trail rig, but the '04 Dodge has 90K miles, the '01 Expedition has 80K miles and now my 3 week old Camry has 3K miles. I rack up miles FAST! Dang, I got off track on my thought....
Getting back to my thought, I needed a car that is quality built and reliable so I went with the Camry. Thinking about it, who doesn't want a reliable, quality built car reguardless of how much they drive or how long they keep it??? So far, the only thing I still like about it is the style because I don't see the quality in it. Hopefully, Toyota and their dealers gets my problems and the problems of others fixed so we never have to take it in for anything other then for maintance.
Mike, in closing, I'd like to say Good luck when your new car comes in and I hope your new Camry treats you as well as they have in the past!
Thanks for the article. It made for interesting reading.
Just one additional thought. A long long time ago an old mechanic told me there are 3 things about a car you don't fool around with; they are brakes, tires and steering. He meant this about older cars, but it also applies to brand new cars.
If you can find the time, stop by the dealer. I have found that when bringing the car in to a dealer, if you can make an appointment for the first thing in the morning when they first open up, you will not have to wait very long.
I got it into the dealer yesturday and they told me they repacked the grease in the steering knuckle. When I pulled out of the parking space, the click was there, so I drove it right back to the service desk.
The service manager goes with me and confirms the click and wants his machanic to look at it again. Then they come back to tell me that I have to work the grease into a boot that covers the knuckle and if the problem doesn't go away by Wednesday to call them to schedule another appointment to replace the steering knuckle.
From what I see, the dealer tried a bandaid fix which might mask the problem for some time, but won't fix it. I don't even think their fix is masking the problem. Since pulling out of their lot yesturday, I've put 300+ miles on it and the clicking/clunking is just as bad as ever.
Because of reasons like this Bandaid fix crap is why Toyota is just pissing me off. As a 1st time buyer, I can tell you if it doesn't get fixed the next time I take it in, I'll never buy another Toyota again! I may trade in my '07 Camry on something else/lemon law the sucker then tell everyone in the world via the web how Toyota's reputation for quality and service is JUNK!
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