2009 Camry 4 Cyl Transmission issues

[mslawyer]

I have a 2009 Camry (base model), purchased in April of 08. It has 35,764 miles on it, and I noticed that it started shifting really roughly. I took it to Toyota Monday, and they did the reflash, but nothing improved. Toyota approved to put a "new" tranny in it and it got its first new transmission Tuesday.. I picked it up Wednesday, and I called the service mgr and told him that it was shifting very hard, and did not feel right. Well, today it completely died on me at a red light and had zero pull. I almost was rear-ended by a big truck that didn't realize I couldn't go forward at the green light.

So, I pull over once I shifted through all the positions and found that "L" worked. I then pulled into a gas station and called the Toyota dealership to come tow me back to them and that I could not drive my vehicle. One hour later, the tow truck showed up and towed me back.

The tech that installed my remanufactured transmission (they don't put new trannies in cars that have been titled once, even under warranty) took it for a spin and confirmed that there was something wrong.

I told the Toyota reps that I would not be taking possession of the vehicle from them, and that they can keep the car. He advised me of arbitration. I told him that I'm a lawyer and that I'm very familiar with all this stuff, and that I am not taking possession of the car back from Toyota.

I called the 1800 number for Toyota and spoke to a nice gentleman whom I told the situation, and he is overnighting the arbitration pack to me. So, we'll see what happens.

I just cannot imagine that two transmissions would be bad in a vehicle, especially a Toyota. Oh, and to top it off, when the tech took my engine out, he smashed up the cover on the top.... They will keep that damn car! I cannot say that I would buy another toyota right now. I am very unhappy that a car with less than 36k on it would have these kinds of problems. And yes, I am one of those that take their cars to the dealerships for service, and they have EVERY record of anything that has been done on it.

If this arbitration does not work out, I will sue. Immediately. This is beyond ridiculous. I told them I'd be happy with them just keeping the car and erasing the loan. I know I drove it alot, and I'm not one to try to get something for nothing. Just keep it. I don't want another one.

[Redline_Me]

Just bad luck i guess. It's very rare that stuff like this happens in Toyotas.

Good luck with the arbitration, hope you get what you want.

[JohnGD]

Sorry to hear about the experience. I'm not a fan of the newer Aisin U-series transmissions. They seem to be junk from the beginning. There have been many complaints about shift quality and even skipping gears (U-660E).

Software programming "flashes" will not solve hardware problems.

Originally Posted by mslawyer

I have a 2009 Camry (base model), purchased in April of 08. It has 35,764 miles on it, and I noticed that it started shifting really roughly. I took it to Toyota Monday, and they did the reflash, but nothing improved. Toyota approved to put a "new" tranny in it and it got its first new transmission Tuesday.. I picked it up Wednesday, and I called the service mgr and told him that it was shifting very hard, and did not feel right. Well, today it completely died on me at a red light and had zero pull. I almost was rear-ended by a big truck that didn't realize I couldn't go forward at the green light.

So, I pull over once I shifted through all the positions and found that "L" worked. I then pulled into a gas station and called the Toyota dealership to come tow me back to them and that I could not drive my vehicle. One hour later, the tow truck showed up and towed me back.

The tech that installed my remanufactured transmission (they don't put new trannies in cars that have been titled once, even under warranty) took it for a spin and confirmed that there was something wrong.

I told the Toyota reps that I would not be taking possession of the vehicle from them, and that they can keep the car. He advised me of arbitration. I told him that I'm a lawyer and that I'm very familiar with all this stuff, and that I am not taking possession of the car back from Toyota.

I called the 1800 number for Toyota and spoke to a nice gentleman whom I told the situation, and he is overnighting the arbitration pack to me. So, we'll see what happens.

I just cannot imagine that two transmissions would be bad in a vehicle, especially a Toyota. Oh, and to top it off, when the tech took my engine out, he smashed up the cover on the top.... They will keep that damn car! I cannot say that I would buy another toyota right now. I am very unhappy that a car with less than 36k on it would have these kinds of problems. And yes, I am one of those that take their cars to the dealerships for service, and they have EVERY record of anything that has been done on it.

If this arbitration does not work out, I will sue. Immediately. This is beyond ridiculous. I told them I'd be happy with them just keeping the car and erasing the loan. I know I drove it alot, and I'm not one to try to get something for nothing. Just keep it. I don't want another one.

[Jazzycar]

I purchased my car in April 2009. I only have 10,000 miles on my car and it needs a new transmission. Unfortunately for me my dealer, in baltimore, will not honor my warranty. They came up with some bogus story about how I damaged the transmission because my wheels were spinning in the snow. Totally ridiculous, this is just another case of Toyota failing to admit there is a problem with their cars until it is too late.

[1956kiteboarder]

Originally Posted by Jazzycar

I purchased my car in April 2009. I only have 10,000 miles on my car and it needs a new transmission. Unfortunately for me my dealer, in baltimore, will not honor my warranty. They came up with some bogus story about how I damaged the transmission because my wheels were spinning in the snow. Totally ridiculous, this is just another case of Toyota failing to admit there is a problem with their cars until it is too late.

I hope you went to another dealership and or called toyota usa

[Jazzycar]

No, I haven't gone to another dealership yet. I did call Toyota they are supposed to send a factory rep out to check out the car, but the dealership told me they talked to the rep over the phone. They said the rep agreed with them, but I asked for the rep to come out and check it. I will see what happens this week.