07 Camry V6 Transmission Fixed Yet?

[cuyoda]

I have read numerous posts on various forums concerning the transmission flare issues in 07 V6 and V4 Camry's. It seams like most of the problems are related to the 4 cylinders, however, I am reading that the V6's are having difficulties as well. I am currently in the market for a new sedan and I am highly considering the 07 V6 XLE, however, I am nervous about the potential for transmission problems. Many of the posts I have read deal with very early production numbers of the 07 models (pre 2007 calender year). I am wondering if the 07 models of recent production (post April 2007 or so) are still having these same issues, or if Toyota has had ample time to work the bugs out. Has anyone experienced similar issues with a recently produced 07 model?

In reality, with it being so late in the model year and not being in a hurry to buy, I probably won't buy until the 08 model year arrives. Thanks for any info.

[akira751]

Originally Posted by cuyoda

I have read numerous posts on various forums concerning the transmission flare issues in 07 V6 and V4 Camry's. It seams like most of the problems are related to the 4 cylinders, however, I am reading that the V6's are having difficulties as well. I am currently in the market for a new sedan and I am highly considering the 07 V6 XLE, however, I am nervous about the potential for transmission problems. Many of the posts I have read deal with very early production numbers of the 07 models (pre 2007 calender year). I am wondering if the 07 models of recent production (post April 2007 or so) are still having these same issues, or if Toyota has had ample time to work the bugs out. Has anyone experienced similar issues with a recently produced 07 model?

In reality, with it being so late in the model year and not being in a hurry to buy, I probably won't buy until the 08 model year arrives. Thanks for any info.

I have never had any issues.

[gdanaher]

cuyoda, you need to forget your research and start over. Toyota builds an I4 and V6, each with a different transmission. Both use fly by wire and both have their own unique ticks, but things aren't nearly as grim as you describe in your first post. Try driving them for a bit and see what you think instead of reading all the crap people write when they are angry.

[cuyoda]

Figured this forum would be bias, but I figured I would try it out anyway. Start over with my research???? WTF. I have read over 150 negative posts so far... I don't think this problem is a fluke or anything. I have decided I will not be buying this car. I simply can't feel comfortable spending close to 30 grand on a car while worrying every day if I am going to have to spend the rest of my long term ownership battling with the dealer who, most of the time, refuses that there is even a problem. Part of the reason I am getting a new car is because I am sick of dealing with an american car that is constantly in the shop. I realize that 150 negative posts on the web is only a very small majority of the thousands and thousands of camry's sold. But even with that said, whether or not you get one with the issues is hit or miss. I don't want to take that chance.

[cuyoda]

Originally Posted by gdanaher

cuyoda, you need to forget your research and start over. Toyota builds an I4 and V6, each with a different transmission. Both use fly by wire and both have their own unique ticks, but things aren't nearly as grim as you describe in your first post. Try driving them for a bit and see what you think instead of reading all the crap people write when they are angry.

Forgot to mention that "driving it for a bit" isn't going to show you the problem when all you can do is maybe take it home over night (if you have a nice dealer). Most of the people report not noticing the problem until they have around 1000 miles on the car and/or have driven in a variety of different weather and traffic conditions. I don't mean to piss-off those of you in this forum who are obviously very much "pro toyota". But fess up, this is a real problem, one that I don't even what to come close to getting involved with. And yes, I do realize that every first year car is going to have problems, but man, this one sounds particularly troublesome. Too much for my taste.

[mrshyvley]

Originally Posted by cuyoda

Figured this forum would be bias, but I figured I would try it out anyway. Start over with my research???? WTF. I have read over 150 negative posts so far... I don't think this problem is a fluke or anything. I have decided I will not be buying this car. I simply can't feel comfortable spending close to 30 grand on a car while worrying every day if I am going to have to spend the rest of my long term ownership battling with the dealer who, most of the time, refuses that there is even a problem. Part of the reason I am getting a new car is because I am sick of dealing with an american car that is constantly in the shop. I realize that 150 negative posts on the web is only a very small majority of the thousands and thousands of camry's sold. But even with that said, whether or not you get one with the issues is hit or miss. I don't want to take that chance.

I have had a problem with the transaxle in my Camry SE V6.
There are many others who have had too.
But not ALL dealers are uncooperatrive, and deny there's a problem.

My dealer has been totally cooperative with me.
They've told me they'll d whatever it takes, and so far they have kept their word.
In fact, I just today dropped my Camry SE V6 off at my dealer, and am having a new transaxle put in.
I had the TSB TC007-07 reflash of the TCU, and it didn't fix my problem.

Any problem I have is with Toyota R&D, not my dealer who's the one stuck with cleaning up the mess.

[gdanaher]

Originally Posted by cuyoda

Forgot to mention that "driving it for a bit" isn't going to show you the problem when all you can do is maybe take it home over night (if you have a nice dealer). Most of the people report not noticing the problem until they have around 1000 miles on the car and/or have driven in a variety of different weather and traffic conditions. I don't mean to piss-off those of you in this forum who are obviously very much "pro toyota". But fess up, this is a real problem, one that I don't even what to come close to getting involved with. And yes, I do realize that every first year car is going to have problems, but man, this one sounds particularly troublesome. Too much for my taste.

I'm not a Toyota schill and like MrShyvley, I have had the transmission flare issue, so I actually know what I am talking about. The dealers are instructed to verify the problem. For some transmissions, it doesn't happen every time, and for that matter I am dead certain that I could take a random v6 Camry whose owner has never experienced the problem, and get the transmission to flare because my driving habits are different from his. Now having said this, the problem for some/most is firmware. The bulletin says now to reflash the TCM and if that doesn't cure the problem to replace the transmission, and within that process the new one will also be reprogrammed. Neither he nor I reallywant a new transmission. It can detract from the resale value at the back end, but it also grinds on us that the car has had a major component changed out. Mrshyvley's car was purchased many months ago and since then Toyota has changed parts suppliers and updated the firmware.

If you do some research on transmission flares you will discover that Ford had a similar problem for years in its trucks. It just isn't all that rare.

If you don't want to buy a Toyota, great. Saturn is running a comparison deal right now with the Honda and Camry I4. I think you ought to at least drive a Saturn and see if you like it. The last thing Toyota needs is another unhappy customer. For some of us, we have been treated warmly and fairly by the Toyota folks becase they sell to repeat customers. They can't afford to treat us any less than well.

[beejay21k]

I have had absolutely no problems WHATSOEVER with my '07 Camry (knock on wood) and I bought it in July of '06 and have almost 30k miles on it. Any new car, whether it be American, Japanese, Korean, German, etc. is going to have some issues; its just simple statistics. Nothing can be perfect. Like you said, 150 post is a very small minority compared to the thousands upons thousands of positive posts out there.

Prior to owning my Camry, I had a 2004 Cavalier, bought brand new. Over the 2 years that I owned it, I was at the dealer almost monthly for different problems. I have never been to the dealer with any problems on my Camry. Simple statistics: many problems vs. no problems.

Statistics don't lie; the new Camry isn't the number one selling car in the US for no reason. You should do better research when buying a new car... I'm not sure what kind of answer you were looking for when you made your post. You seem upset that people are defending their Camry's. Were you expecting us all to say that we have problems????

But, hey, it's just my opinion. Buy whatever car you like. What matters most is that YOU are happy with your new car selection. If you aren't comfortable buying a Camry because of a problem that some people have, don't. But for me, I'm absolutely happy with my Camry.

[touringcamry]

The only transmission issue I've had occurs only when it's cold out, less than 50 deg F or so. I have some difficulty getting the transmission into 2nd gear. My understanding is that the oil flows like molasses when cold and might not be flowing or splashing to where it needs to go and I really can't warm the oil up without driving around. It happens for the first two or three 1-2 shifts and I've already figured out how to work around the problem.

[mrshyvley]

Originally Posted by gdanaher

I'm not a Toyota schill and like MrShyvley, I have had the transmission flare issue, so I actually know what I am talking about. The dealers are instructed to verify the problem.
<snip>

You're right about them having to verify the problem.
That's how my dealer has been appproaching things.
I also keep in mind that my dealer didn't design the car, and this problem isn't THEIR fault.
And as long as I sense no BS from them, I will keep taking a team approach with them, and not an adversarial one.

In my case, one day after an oil change I attempted to demonstrated the once after each engine start 3rd-4th slip (flare).
My car hadn't sat long enough, so it didn't do it.
So I asked them if I videotaped it, and showed it to them, would it be sufficient documentation for them?
They said yes, no problem.

So since then, whenever I deal with them on this, I present them with a CD ROM that has clips of video with sound I made with Windows Moviemaker, of my transaxle slipping (flaring). Plus I present them with a written log of what I've done to date with this issue, and printed copies ot TSBs that apply.

I add a title page to my video clips with my vin# and what this clip shows.
I also enhance the sound, so that when they play the clip, they can clearly hear the engine revving up between shifts when it flares.
Additionally, I put the video with sound clips on my webserver so they can be accessed from the Internet.
I tell them that if any higher ups at Toyota need to see these, they should feel free to access them.

For example, this morning when I dropped my car off, and left video clips on CD ROM and also online, and written logs, they didn't even take time to reproduce the problem themselves.
They just watched my videos and read my logs, and went ahead with changing out the transaxle.

I hope this fixes the problem, but if it doesn't, I at least have a dealer that so far has given me every indication that they want to work with me on this.

I'll post reports on how things turn out.

[Streaker]

Had the replacement re-programmed. It has no more shift/flare between 3rd/4th anymore. But now has a little hesitation shifting from 1st/2nd gear. They'll get it right eventually. I love my car, the trans in the only problem I have. No shakes, rattles or squeeks. Made in Kentucky 3/06

[mrshyvley]

Originally Posted by Streaker

Had the replacement re-programmed. It has no more shift/flare between 3rd/4th anymore. But now has a little hesitation shifting from 1st/2nd gear. They'll get it right eventually. I love my car, the trans in the only problem I have. No shakes, rattles or squeeks. Made in Kentucky 3/06

I'm the same place you are.
My car has good fit and finish, no other problems at all, except the intermittent issues with the transaxle.
I agree, they'll get it right eventually.
This engine/transaxle combo is too cool for them not to put in the effort to get it right.
I love having decent performance, yet over 30mpg highway all in one package.

[s_ajanthan]

Originally Posted by gdanaher

cuyoda, you need to forget your research and start over. Toyota builds an I4 and V6, each with a different transmission. Both use fly by wire and both have their own unique ticks,

Fly by wire is on airplanes (hence fly by wire... ) Drive by wire is what the Camry has.

Cuyoda, if you're looking for a V6 I'd wait until 08, not because an 07 V6 tranny is unreliable but because you'd be on the safe side of things. There was an issue with something coming loose on early built 6 Speed transmissions. That was because its the first time Toyota's ever used this model on any production car. The problem caused the transmission to skip from 1st gear to 3rd gear or something similar meaning the car was drivable but malfunctioning.

If you're going to buy a 4cyl Inline 4 then have no worries. The engine and transmission combo found in the 4cyl or V4 as you call it has been in use in the Camry since 2005 without any issues from what I've heard. The 4cyl transmission has been in use for a while and is pretty rock solid in terms of reliable.

As for the 6 speed transmission, the problem was worked out in later models. Toyota has officially stated that only 20 - 120 cars had the problem and that they are willing to fix any more problems under the warranty.

Just remember, when you buy a car that is using new technology that hasn't been released onto the market yet, the first units have a high chance of having bugs. Its not something restricted to Toyota or to the auto industry, its part of manufacturing.

[Aceventura9586]

Is the tranny flare issue coming in the camry's built in the US, and not Japan, or is it coming in both. Cuz my next car might just be a v6 camry, haven't decided yet but the thing just calls to me every time i see one. Especially the SE.

[akira751]

Originally Posted by Aceventura9586

Is the tranny flare issue coming in the camry's built in the US, and not Japan, or is it coming in both. Cuz my next car might just be a v6 camry, haven't decided yet but the thing just calls to me every time i see one. Especially the SE.

Thats right you like looking at my tail lights