Goodbye Camry! Toyota needs to shape up!

[kps88]

I purchased a 2009 Camry XLE 4 cyl. in April of 2010. I loved the look of the car (color Barcelona Red), but the build quality was not good. I owned a 1997 Camry for many years and had not a single ssue with it.

1. That stupid noise from the ABS system everytime I started the car and began to drive. I could not stand that "clunk" noise. Took it in three times, two dealers. They claimed it was "normal", but I have owned many cars with ABS and never had this issue. I know others here have it, but its a joke that it made that much noise.

2. That darn dash creaking/crackling. Especially in the winter. EVERY little road bump/issue I hear the dash creaking/cracking. Took in to the dealer and they claimed they took off the windshield and fixed the "tabs" or something. Noise was just as bad after. I placed the felt in the dash area and it helped..but I should not have to have this ugly felt sticking out of my dashboard.

3. Interior door creaking. Whatever plastic garbage material they used and however they placed it in the doors was just a nightmare. I like to have my left leg up a bit on drives over 5 minutes, but anykind of turn or movement and with the slightest pressure the side doors just cracked/crinkled. The slightest press and "crunch..crunch". The interior build is a joke on this car.

4. The engine on cold days (and I have a garage) was soooo loud. I would actually be scared to drive it unless I sat there for like 5 minutes. I am not talking about the RPM's, but it felt like the pistons or whatever would be banging against the hood..just odd. I have never, ever had this in a car before.

5. The door pillars. I had to have the drivers side replaced. All it did was make squeky noises over every bump.

6. The JBL audio system sucked. Too many crackling noises and it could handle barely any bass. Just a poor excuse for a stereo.

7. The suspension actually seems to have gotten looser overt the years. My 09 felt worse than my 1997. The steering column was too loose. They need to make it just a bit more tuned to the suspension. I honestly felt like I was still driving my 1997.

I could not take anymore of it and traded it in. I could not stand the creaks and cracks any longer. This generation 6 is a serious issue and I won't be coming back to Toyota.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by kps88

I purchased a 2009 Camry XLE 4 cyl. in April of 2010. I loved the look of the car (color Barcelona Red), but the build quality was not good. I owned a 1997 Camry for many years and had not a single ssue with it.

1. That stupid noise from the ABS system everytime I started the car and began to drive. I could not stand that "clunk" noise. Took it in three times, two dealers. They claimed it was "normal", but I have owned many cars with ABS and never had this issue. I know others here have it, but its a joke that it made that much noise.

2. That darn dash creaking/crackling. Especially in the winter. EVERY little road bump/issue I hear the dash creaking/cracking. Took in to the dealer and they claimed they took off the windshield and fixed the "tabs" or something. Noise was just as bad after. I placed the felt in the dash area and it helped..but I should not have to have this ugly felt sticking out of my dashboard.

3. Interior door creaking. Whatever plastic garbage material they used and however they placed it in the doors was just a nightmare. I like to have my left leg up a bit on drives over 5 minutes, but anykind of turn or movement and with the slightest pressure the side doors just cracked/crinkled. The slightest press and "crunch..crunch". The interior build is a joke on this car.

4. The engine on cold days (and I have a garage) was soooo loud. I would actually be scared to drive it unless I sat there for like 5 minutes. I am not talking about the RPM's, but it felt like the pistons or whatever would be banging against the hood..just odd. I have never, ever had this in a car before.

5. The door pillars. I had to have the drivers side replaced. All it did was make squeky noises over every bump.

6. The JBL audio system sucked. Too many crackling noises and it could handle barely any bass. Just a poor excuse for a stereo.

7. The suspension actually seems to have gotten looser overt the years. My 09 felt worse than my 1997. The steering column was too loose. They need to make it just a bit more tuned to the suspension. I honestly felt like I was still driving my 1997.

I could not take anymore of it and traded it in. I could not stand the creaks and cracks any longer. This generation 6 is a serious issue and I won't be coming back to Toyota.

See ya!

No doubt Toyota quality isn't as good as it was in the 90's.My new '07 XLE that mated with a deer and was sold 8 months later had it's creaks and rattles when new too. The deer did me a favor.
However,your '09 Camry seems to be a lemon and every auto manufacturer has lemons.

My '11 has a small cold weather creaking at the speedometer lens where it hits the top dash and that's it.
The car has been solid and I'm happy....so far.

[gdanaher]

Most of these problems could be resolved by giving every new car owner a can of silicon spray.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by gdanaher

Most of these problems could be resolved by giving every new car owner a can of silicon spray.

Silicone!
Good idea.
Maybe I'll spray some in the area where my speedometer lens meets the dash trim.

[profuse007]

Unfortunately the build has gone down but the remember the features given to us by Toyota have always exceeded everybody else.

I recently install alarm/RS on '10 tacoma TRD dblcab and the fuse box is made from DELPHI. It resembles the cheaply made from what I see across GM, Ford, Chrysler.

my 09 camry SE 4cyl works fine just like other camrys i have own in the past.

[molson.david]

Maybe I'll spray some in the area where my speedometer lens meets the dash trim

remove black trim around cluster, two plastic clips on top. and put thin pieces of felt pads on the edge.

07 LE, got non of these problems, had some dash noses, but killed all of them with sillicon and felt pads. Most creaking was coming from cover panel on center console around shifter, used hight temp grease on clips and internal ridges-it stay quiet now.

kps88.
what did you get instead of camry?

[Hennessy Hek]

i guess u had a bad camry, u know coming from a company that has put out reliable cars it happens. if u couldnt get ur problems solved and took that answer thats normal is your bad buddy. put your food down a lil aomt know parts department want to do things for free so u gotta man up and make them do it. only problem ive had with my camry is the noise in the dash but i can really careless cuz i dont ride around listening to the wind blowin as i drive. lol
pround SE V6 owner here, non of the baby inline 4 here

[theslowone]

the abs noise was a test of your trac/stability system at 9mph

[kps88]

Originally Posted by gdanaher

Most of these problems could be resolved by giving every new car owner a can of silicon spray.

maybe it would help with the dash, but not the interior doors. that was the entire plastic faux wood material they use. touch it anywhere and it crackled. there is not place to spray silicon and keep it away from the outer area. but maybe you have something in the dash area.

[kps88]

Originally Posted by molson.david

remove black trim around cluster, two plastic clips on top. and put thin pieces of felt pads on the edge.

07 LE, got non of these problems, had some dash noses, but killed all of them with sillicon and felt pads. Most creaking was coming from cover panel on center console around shifter, used hight temp grease on clips and internal ridges-it stay quiet now.

kps88.
what did you get instead of camry?

2009 Mazda 6 i. Grand Touring. Fully loaded with every option cept. navigation. No creaks, no cracks, responsive streering/handling.

[kps88]

Originally Posted by Hennessy Hek

i guess u had a bad camry, u know coming from a company that has put out reliable cars it happens. if u couldnt get ur problems solved and took that answer thats normal is your bad buddy. put your food down a lil aomt know parts department want to do things for free so u gotta man up and make them do it. only problem ive had with my camry is the noise in the dash but i can really careless cuz i dont ride around listening to the wind blowin as i drive. lol
pround SE V6 owner here, non of the baby inline 4 here

I tried that with a nother dealer (BMW) and they basically told me to kiss off. no dealer has to honor the warranty. the warranty is with the car maker. any dealer can tell you to get lost, but of course this could hurt them. in this case, I had no foot to put down. the dash issue is so widespread and there seems to be no fix. while some are able to ignore it, I cannot. if I drove alone in the car I could obviously turn up the radio. but I drive with my 2 small kids on many days and also in a car pool. I was not willing to put up with the noise any longer. to me, the noise was unacceptable and don;t forget about that ABS crap. just a noisy car for $26K.

I agree the car is still reliable, but some things cannot be overlooked.

[kps88]

Originally Posted by theslowone

the abs noise was a test of your trac/stability system at 9mph

yes, I knew that. it was so bad it could be felt in the steering wheel..it literally rattled my hands every new start up and drive.

two other co workers have 09 camry's and they never heard/felt any noise. I asked both of them to drive with me. BOTH were shocked how much noise/reverbitation could be felt (I had one drive it). BOTH allowed me to drive theirs..not a peep. its not every Camry. I have heard some got them "fixed", but after 3 times I just heard enough "blah blah its the ABS system..."

[molson.david]

2009 Mazda 6 i. Grand Touring. Fully loaded with every option cept. navigation. No creaks, no cracks, responsive streering/handling.

I'm surprised you bought camry if you like mazda ride. two different things.
mazda targeting sport, especially touring package, camry-comfort, especially XLE...
I drove my friend 2010 mazda 6, stock wheels: noisy, bumpy and rough ride compare to my LE.
it does feels sportier and more responsive. but I would never sacrifice comfort to sport.

[arabianobsession]

^I love my Camry SE but if I could get the Mazda 6 Grand Touring in a manual...I would have! lol

Most of the roads are so bad in WI there's nothing "comfort" around here, just headache-causing bumps, haha.

[kps88]

Originally Posted by molson.david

I'm surprised you bought camry if you like mazda ride. two different things.
mazda targeting sport, especially touring package, camry-comfort, especially XLE...
I drove my friend 2010 mazda 6, stock wheels: noisy, bumpy and rough ride compare to my LE.
it does feels sportier and more responsive. but I would never sacrifice comfort to sport.

huh? I owned a Camry since 2004 (a 1997 and a 2009). The 97 and 09 drove nearly identical. I liked the "pillow" ride, but what I did not like about an 09 car was the lack of response in the steering/handling. I drove a Mazda for the first time a week ago and was impressed with the suspension, handling, feel and balance of the car. Much nicer styling in the interior (not even close). The Mazda6 got great reviews from consumers as well as experts. Camry is not the only good car. I also looked at the Accord, but this generation also seems to have a ton of problems. So I am staying away from them too. Mazda supposedly did a fine job with this generation, so I decided to give them a try.

uh, not sure what kind of Mazda you drove but noisy, bumpy for a 2010..exaggarate much? unless you are driving a Yugo, then all newer cars will have a decent drive no matter the vehicle. this is not Flintstones. also, I know Camry's because I have driven one nearly every day since 2004. The Mazda 6 has a different feel, but its not any worse or better..just different. To claim "noisy, bumpy and rough" is a stretch. Maybe your buddy got a "lemon".

I drove a BMW 328i for a while...compared to a XLE Camry most cars feel "bumpy"..but again its a bad term to use.