Your Opinion, Please!

[dCota]

Hey all!

Okay, I need your opinion on something that is probably going to strike most of you as "trivial".

Yesterday, I was vacuuming out the Cam and when I was removing the left-side carpet hook (by the trunk/fuel door levers), the entire floor mat came up.

What should have happened is that the right-side carpet hook should have still be connected.

It wasn't.

The metal ring that is in the actual floorboard carpeting, which the hooks "snap" into just came off! No tears or fraying.....it just seems like the ring wasn't properly attached to the floorboard carpeting.

Okay, so here's where I need your opinion.....
Taking into account all the "hoopla" about the floor mat recall a while back, and the fact that Toyota wanted to ensure everyone was aware of the dangers that could result from a floor mat sliding under the accelerator pedal, should I pursue having this repaired under warranty.

It certainly doesn't qualify as routine "wear-and-tear", so I'm thinking they should repair it.

And now, the dilemma.....
From what I can tell, in order to repair --- meaning, reattach the existing ring (or replace with a new ring) to the floorboard carpeting, it will be necessary to remove the drivers seat so the floorboard carpeting can be lifted, and the "access hole" accessed.

My concern here is, once they get in there and start taking things apart, pulling things out, and then putting them back together, you run the risk of new, unidentified rattles, etc.

I love my '09 SE, and have absolutely NO rattles, creaks, clicks, cracks, or anything else I've read so much about on TN.

SO, my dear fellow Cam-fans............your opinions (or suggestions!) please!

Thanks!

[glenn14]

imho, I would bring your Camry to the DLR and have them fix the issue........

Glenn

[98CamryLE]

The same thing happened to my 1998 Camry about a year after I bought it. I just pushed the hook back into the hole, and generally it stayed where it was supposed to. The only time that it came out of the hole is when I tried to take the floor mat out for cleaning. I drove the car for another 6 years without a single issue.

In my opinion, I would not take it to the dealer for such a small issue. In my experience, the mat really doesn't move all that much even without the hook. That said, you paid $20,000+ for the car, so everything should work as designed. If you want it fixed, you are entitled to take it to the dealer for repair.

Just make sure that the mat does not slide up towards the pedals... every once and a while look down and check to make sure the mat hasn't slowly moved over time.

[Yazovets]

Claim a repair job under warranty. If the repair had involved the removal of the dash (which it does NOT), then I would've suggested against because the dash is where Gen6 Camry cars experience lots of trouble with rattling, etc.

[TRD VVTi]

You can always have the dealer make note of the problem and decide later if you want to fix it.

Without seeing it, I'm guessing it would be difficult to get the edges back in the ring and crimp it so that it will hold properly. Because of that, I'm guessing that replacement of the carpet would be required. Do do that, the interior would have to be stripped of everything that's on top of the carpet.

[Tobeit]

As long as the left hook is still attached it is unlikely the mat can go far up and be a problem. Do what TRD suggested (noting it with the dealer) first. If you have the rubber type all weather mat, you can always try to use a strip of self adhesive velcro attached to the back of the weather mat. That velcro works well on the floor carpet and voila ..you got your mat attached again. Not perfect but together with the left hook it will prevent any danger of slipping. JMO

PS: I would not tear the car apart for that small problem.

[dCota]

Thanks all!
Appreciate the feedback!