2008 Camry V6--Dealer today told me buzzing under steering column "normal" - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

amyhinmn · 02-27-2009, 11:44 PM

He said, "every car has its noises."

Since it got cold here in MN, along with a ton of other rattles, below my dash, steering column comes this intermittent buzz sound. Sounds very electrical, in my opinion.

Today when I took it in the Toyota Rep, who I waited months to meet with, told me it was "normal." He said it was a vacuum tube associated with the power brake assist, and that there was no fix.

So, they are telling me a brand new car will make this electrical noise, and there is nothing they can do? Toyota is NOT what it used to be, buyer beware. This car has been in the shop more than 5 times since I got it 7 months ago. Three times for some oxygen sensor, for a blown speaker (was noticeably blown when I first took it off the lot), Ipod kit not working, rattles, and now this.

DigiDean · 03-01-2009, 12:58 PM

I have a 2008 XLE V6 and mine doesn't make any noise like that. I'm in VA, and we don't get that cold here.

Can I ask if you like your iPod kit? I'm thinking of getting one, but can't find ANY details on it. Is it easy to use, easy to search for songs/artists, etc....

Thanks, and good luck with your car.

HwyPilot · 03-01-2009, 01:10 PM

I sense frustration

and I've been there myself. It sounds like the real issue is with the people you've been working with on this problem. Try talking to another dealer in your area, maybe email nearby service managers from the contacts listed on their website, and ask for their help. No noises are "normal" in any car - why would someone build something with noises??! You are right in not going with this train of thought, they're trying to lead you down their easy path of least resistance.

With any product, I've always believed in the network of people as much as a product. A crap product that gets the job done, backed by the right people - is far better than the best product with no support at all IMO. And right now, you're seeing the latter just as I did.

You need to make other contacts, as those obviously aren't getting your car fixed. You can contact the Better Business Bureau office in your area, but they take forever. I had to involve them with my brand new 1993 Toyota T100 SR5 4X4, and it got the truck fixed.... eventually. It was that exact situation (much like yours) that prevented me from buying a new Toyota product in the last 16 years and counting. (if Toyota Corp is reading this - get on it - you're losing good customers!)

Redline_Me · 03-01-2009, 01:21 PM

Don't take normal for an answer go somewhere else or go back and talk to someone else. If they still don't fix it and can't fix it, they have to give you a new car. BY LAW.

MJZ · 03-01-2009, 01:24 PM

I think owners should all support each other through these things. For instance, if anyone had any issues here in the MA area, I'd gladly help compare your issue to see if my car had it, and bring it in to a dealer for comparison.

Virginia is a bit far, is there anybody on the forums here in Virginia who could help out?

amyhinmn · 03-01-2009, 01:46 PM

I am not going to give up. They didn't finish my car on Friday, but tomorrow I am going to talk to the service manager about this supposed "normal" buzzing. If he puts me in another Camry on the lot that doesn't do it, there's my answer.

Regarding the Ipod kit, no, mine still does not work right. They have been on it for months. They pulled the satellite radio out because supposedly you can't have both and I was getting interference. That solved that, but did not solve the fact that my stereo searches BY NUMBER instead of artist, album, genre, etc. So, I bought the car under false pretenses, because this was a big part of my choice. I don't know if a kit from Best Buy would work better, or if it's the radio. But unless I can MEMORIZE which album is what number, which artist is number 28 (for example), then it's useless. Oh, and every time you add an album to an Ipod, all those numbers change. Yes, I have tried hitting the text button, but when I turn the dial to search, it defaults back to number. This is an 08, don't know if that matters, perhaps the Ipod kits were made for 09's.

DigiDean · 03-01-2009, 02:26 PM

Keep pushing them. My 2nd car is a BMW, and they SUCK for service unless you push hard on them. Keep pushing - you can get the car you bought.

What you say about the iPod kit was exactly as I was concerned about. If I attach my iPod with over 2,000 songs on it, I need to search by artisit, album, song - not by number. I've checked at BBY and Frys, and the ones they sell are no better. I've resigned myself to attaching my iPod via Audio Cable, and a power adapter.

Good luck to you!

HwyPilot · 03-01-2009, 03:35 PM

That ipod issue just stinks! I would demand they credit (aka refund) the cost of whatever equipment causes whatever problem they can't fix. Selling stuff that doesn't work is dirty pool, and they need to eat it at some level. If it was between SAT radio and iPod, I'd be torn - both have their pluses, and you stated it well - false pretenses.

You could probably find a rental car agency that has that car on their lot, if you needed an example.....

***toyomoho*** · 03-01-2009, 03:44 PM

Suggest you read past TN posts on how to handle dealers who have this attitude. Toyota appears to give dealers a lot of room to do what they want. If you PO this dealer they may tell you to go else where.

Take the car to another dealer and see what they state is the problem. Don't state anything about what the first dealer told you. Maybe it is the vacuum system buzz or the first dealer is giving you a line.

amyhinmn · 03-02-2009, 01:49 PM

from Chicago who told me it was normal! If you can believe that, which I am sure you can.

Yeah, I don't use the Ipod interface kit. And I hate using a regular jack that plugs into the headphones socket, because then the volume of the songs varies dramatically. I have a Belkin thing that I love. It attaches to the "cigarette lighter" but the difference is that it attaches to the Ipod via the port at the bottom, not the headphone jack. This regulates the volume variabilities.

Yes, I do plan to at least get my money back for the interface kit, but it still leaves me angry because I bought the car with this in mind...being able to use my radio to search, as well as my steering wheel controls. It's like buying a car with antilock brakes and then being told, sorry, just kidding, they don't work after all and aren't compatible with your model car!

MJZ · 03-02-2009, 03:39 PM

All iPods have a volume equalizer function via Itunes. My 4th gen Nano sounds great via the AUX jack. You need to activate the Volume Equalizer then resync your songs.

amyhinmn · 03-02-2009, 05:08 PM

I disagree, I don't like the effects of the volume equalizer at all. Won't use it.

Mike Gerber · 03-02-2009, 05:25 PM

"If he puts me in another Camry on the lot that doesn't do it, there's my answer."

You are absolutely correct. I was going to suggest that before I read it in your post. Did you ask to drive another V6 Camry on the lot while you were there with this rep? I would have insisted on that.

Mike

neomits · 03-03-2009, 10:13 AM

I'm glad other people are getting pissed about this. It definitely has something to do with the cold air, but it seems to get worse with each winter. I've had no luck at the dealer I've tried, but I guess I"ll keep trying.

I hope someone comes up with a solution because it is F-n annoying.