2007 Build Date V6 Issues?

[EuroPlate]

I've been hanging around these forums for over a year now researching the "2007" Toyota Camry. I really like the look of the SE and want the power and fuel economy of the V6. Unfortunately the transmission issue (3rd-4th gear flare) has kept me from pulling the trigger on a purchase.

But since Toyota issued a TSB (TC002-07) on January 19th, 2007 focusing on this problem I'm hoping the V6 Camrys built after this date will have this issue resolved. So I'd like to ask those of you who have a 2007 build Camry V6 whether or not you're having any transmission (specifically the 3rd-4th gear flare) or other major issues?

[jaysi09]

Originally Posted by EuroPlate

I've been hanging around these forums for over a year now researching the "2007" Toyota Camry. I really like the look of the SE and want the power and fuel economy of the V6. Unfortunately the transmission issue (3rd-4th gear flare) has kept me from pulling the trigger on a purchase.

But since Toyota issued a TSB (TC002-07) on January 19th, 2007 focusing on this problem I'm hoping the V6 Camrys built after this date will have this issue resolved. So I'd like to ask those of you who have a 2007 build Camry V6 whether or not you're having any transmission (specifically the 3rd-4th gear flare) or other major issues?

my camry was built 1/07 and so far havent experience any tranny problem.

[eflw1029]

EuroPlate-
Like yourself I was also very concerned with the 3rd to 4th gear "flare" but pulled the trigger one my 2007 V6 Camry LE. If you look at my signature I have a Kentucky March 2007 build date and so far the tranny is solid without any issues whatsoever. This is not to say I am completely safe as I've only had the car less than a month and have only a couple hundred miles on the odo. If you are really, really serious about a Camry do your best and negotiate (haggle) on a good price then allocate $880 for the extended Toyota warranty which will provide you with peace of mind for 7 year/100k. Being a New Yorker where no one ever pays MSRP I haggle and am prepared to walk to another competing dealer. I ended up with a V6 Camry LE for $22.6 which included the alloy wheels and nothing else. I then shopped around and using both ToyotaNation and Edmunds I got the extended warranty from Greenfield Toyota in Massachusetts for $880...this is for the yr/100k/$0-deductable.

[gdanaher]

Take a look at:

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=180

[EuroPlate]

Yes, I understand that there are ES350 owners with the same flare issue. But as with the Camry a majority of those were prior to the flare TSB.

I'm mainly interested as to the quality of the current product that has been manufactured after the TSB issue date.

[onsknht]

Originally Posted by EuroPlate

Yes, I understand that there are ES350 owners with the same flare issue. But as with the Camry a majority of those were prior to the flare TSB.

I'm mainly interested as to the quality of the current product that has been manufactured after the TSB issue date.

I think what he was trying to point out was that there are ES350 owners with builds as late as 03/2007 that are throughly pissed they ever bought the car... It's an interesting observation but the Lexus folk seem to be more open about their transmission issues than the Camry folk.

If you think Toyota would get it right anywhere... It'd be with their $40k + Camry?

There's no less than 6 boughtback ES350s due to transmission trouble on e-bay at any given time.

I think the Camry folk suck it up more than the Lexus folk... Toyota won't "buyback" cars, Lexus does.

[reprod]

My Camry SE V6 was built in late November '06. I know this isnt necessarily what you were looking for in terms of production date but I thought it wouldnt hurt to let you know that I have no transmission issues, nor have I ever.

5200+ miles

[jza80007]

Europlate, 1 thing you have to consider is that a lot of people who have had transmission problems didnt start to have problems until after they reached a few thousand miles and I have even heard cases where the problems didnt start until 10k-15k miles. So even though ppl w/ January '07 Build Camrys arent experiencing transmission problems now they may later on.

[Yazovets]

Why is everyone so "afraid" of this 3rd to 4th gear flare? Nothing is gonna happen except that shift won't be that smooth. No big deal, and certainly not worth the trouble of leaving your car at the dealer for a month while they put in a new tranny.

[onsknht]

Originally Posted by Yazovets

Why is everyone so "afraid" of this 3rd to 4th gear flare? Nothing is gonna happen except that shift won't be that smooth. No big deal, and certainly not worth the trouble of leaving your car at the dealer for a month while they put in a new tranny.

Here's a few reasons to ponder:

1. My first car ever, a 1976 Pontiac Catalina was purchased for $350, never once slipped the transmission.

2. Every other Brand NEW Toyota I've bought with an automatic transmission prior to the 2007 V6 Camry never slipped the transmission.

3. The slipping gets worse, I started to get it after 20 mins of not driving the car, it also would slip when going into a passing gear.

4. This is a Toyota, not GM, Ford, or otherwise.

5. Toyota has never provided a REASONABLE EXPLAINATION as to why I should own a car with a slipping transmission.

6. Toyota has NO CLUE as to why the 2GR-FE and U660E equipped vehicles slip.

7. The warranty will eventually run out, why should I foot the bill for an extended warranty?

8. Referencing #7 above, I buy Toyotas for their ability to clear 100,000 miles easily without a major catasrophe, the warranty runs out at 60K and IMO so does the car, especially if it was sold with a KNOWN DEFECT 60,000 miles prior.

9. Why does Lexus buyback ES350s when customers complain about this issue, if it wasn't a REAL PROBLEM, Lexus wouldn't buyback $40,000 + vehicles?

10. The U660E shifts like a spongy turd compared to the unit in my Acura TL.

[EuroPlate]

^^^ So how many lawyers have you talked to about the class action lawsuit?

[onsknht]

Originally Posted by EuroPlate

^^^ So how many lawyers have you talked to about the class action lawsuit?

Class Action... Anything I would take up with Toyota would benefit me more than 2 free oil changes, cause that's what you'll get by the time a class action suit settled.

I really have no interest in going after Toyota, I get screwed on new snowmobiles all the time... It's what you're up against buying a new model, I'm just particularly pissed that Toyota is dealing with it the way they are, have they no shame?

I'm a nut job that has an interest in cars... My time spent making a case against the 2GR-FE and U660E combination is general frivel that I'd engage in anyway. That's payback enough as I keep clicking up people who claim they won't buy as a result.

[toyomoho]

Another post stated the dealer was going to replace the valve body under a service bulletin TC0008-06.