2009 Toyota Camry XLE Certified Vehicle Vibration (frustrated) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jedolson · 01-01-2012, 05:03 PM

Purchased a 2009 XLE Toyota Camry V6 on 11/15/2011 with 13,562 miles. Noticed a vibration that starts around 65 mph, the faster you go the more noticeable the vibration. Made an appointment for the selling dealer to address the vibration. Dealer balanced four tires however this is what was noted on the invoice.'vibration from rear end at 65 and up' (my comments when dropping off the car). Comments from servicing dealer 'balance all 4 tires - may feel some vibration-tires choppy'. Where would you suggest I start? Who should I talk to at the dealer? Am I in a position to have them replace the tires? I have contacted the salesperson to keep her abreast of the situation. Current mileage 15,100.

Tire Make and Model: Sumitomo HTR T4 - the tires appear brand new.

Tire shop balanced (said the selling dealer did not do a very good job balancing the tires), rotated and performed an alignment. Tire shop stated the front passenger tire is cupped. Manager figures the previous owner did not do any maintenance on the OEM tires so the selling dealer installed new tires on the car due to premature wear. The vibration is better but still obvious and annoying. Said there is a possibility the cupping will go away as more miles are accrued on the tires, but until then the ride will not be smooth.

HotRod53 · 01-01-2012, 05:56 PM

I just purchased a used '07 Camry. On my initial test drive I told the salesman that this car had a bad rear wheel bearing, I was sure of it. I know the Service Manager from working with him over the years and I called him and told him that I liked the car but it needed to be fixed first. There was plenty of tread on the rear tires, but he called me and said that the noise was caused by cupped rear tires, they looked fine to me, I though that was complete B.S. He called me and said that the noise was 100% gone, so I picked up the car, he was exactly right!

My issue was different than yours, mine just sounded like it had snow tires on the back. I only mention it to say don't discount the findings that your problem is related to cupped tires. My dealer replaced my tires with new ones and it fixed it, I hope yours does too. It could also be a bad belt in a tire, did they rotate the tires and see if the vibration moved?

jedolson · 01-01-2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRod53

I just purchased a used '07 Camry. On my initial test drive I told the salesman that this car had a bad rear wheel bearing, I was sure of it. I know the Service Manager from working with him over the years and I called him and told him that I liked the car but it needed to be fixed first. There was plenty of tread on the rear tires, but he called me and said that the noise was caused by cupped rear tires, they looked fine to me, I though that was complete B.S. He called me and said that the noise was 100% gone, so I picked up the car, he was exactly right!

My issue was different than yours, mine just sounded like it had snow tires on the back. I only mention it to say don't discount the findings that your problem is related to cupped tires. My dealer replaced my tires with new ones and it fixed it, I hope yours does too. It could also be a bad belt in a tire, did they rotate the tires and see if the vibration moved?

They did rotate the tires however it did not seem to make a difference. There is no vibration in the steering wheel it seems to be coming from the rear. I spoke with the tire shop who stated that it may go away after the tires eliminate the cupping however I am not sure I am willing to wait for that to happen.

ELiTeCReW69 · 01-01-2012, 06:56 PM

Try to balance the tires I would have to say that would be the first step.

leakyseals · 01-02-2012, 06:43 AM

13,562 miles is almost brand new, premature to be having tire problems. Premature to be replacing tires at all. New tires don't cup, that takes a few thousand miles or more. Did you perform a CarFax? What is the history?

jedolson · 01-02-2012, 07:08 AM

the vehicle came with a car fax showing that it went into service on 4/17/2008 as a commercial owner. I paid the money and also did a autocheck with know red flags on either of the reports. I started to feel the same way that a vehicle that is 3 1/2 years old only had 13,500 miles. I have inspected it and it does not appear to have any body damage. I will meeting with the dealer today and will request new tires. If for some reason this does not help I am thinking about taking advantage of their wararnty although I am about 15 days out but think they will work with me. I can trade the vehicle for a different vehicle with a full credit that I paid for the car.

leakyseals · 01-02-2012, 08:09 AM

Did they flash you a carfax, or do you have it?

What exactly is the size? Should be 215/60-16.

When you had it aligned what was the report?

When you rotate the tires does the problem stay in the rear?

z27ls3 · 01-02-2012, 09:03 AM

I may be wrong but sumitomo are not OE (or high quality if OE)
factory tires are not that good and made to ride quiet or give MPG

you can go to www.toyota.com/owners/ and make an account then view
the national service history (just like the dealer can) it will give you all dealer
history and list parts installed, you can "check the dealer" on any claims.

Ask for a new set of michelin harmony or yokohama avid.
you may just have crappy tires, tread is not relevant here.
see if the dealer will make the car right, certified cars should have 50% or better
on wear items, should have 2 full sets of keys and be 100% operational as a new car is.
unfortunately the sales dept certifies used cars alot of times rather than the service
department, they just run the cars through the shop and cherry pick the ones that are
certified, in alot of instances I have seen certified cars that had unresolved issues, worn out tires, marginal brakes, all the stuff you think is ok & its not!
seen firsthand, not speculation. the $tealers are banking on new owners not complaining and
therefore not overinvesting in the certified cars. do the math. tires are $600.00 per set, if 1 on 4 customers complain and get the new tires they are ahead 3 sets of tires, its a shell game.

leakyseals · 01-02-2012, 09:45 AM

Agreed. Factory tires for that year are usually Michelin or Bridgestone. Not cheap, last 30-40k or more. Sumitomo HTR T4 costs substantially less. Decent budget tire.

HotRod53 · 01-02-2012, 11:24 AM

I'm not sure what the factory tires were on that car, but in my experience, original tires are always crap. Not to say that the dealer couldn't put something cheap on there that is nice and black just to make you happy, but whatever it is, I wouldn't think it would be gold. My Tacoma had the original tires on it, lasted 16-18K, that has always been my experience with OEMs, the next 3 sets lasted 50K.

The dealer put new rear tires on my Camry when I bought it, ther were Yokahamas.

z27ls3 · 01-02-2012, 01:07 PM

I have never met a used car manager that would put anything above cheapest available regarding used car tires. its another trick of the trade. "look, new tires" yeah, but what. NEXENS? or comparable "cheapest available" tire. I see alot of nexens and primewells on used cars, primewells on hondas too....maybe on their oem tire program.
NEXENS are the only tire on the toyota tire program that will not be road hazard warrantied by toyota, hhhhmmmmm . makes you wonder, .....high probability of an issue?
I told my last parts manager to send all nexens back for credit, and we got the cheapies down the street from a local tire shop that, unlike Toyota, would actually stand behind their cheap tire line. oh and by the way, those cheapest available were better than the nexens. FWIW !

jedolson · 01-02-2012, 10:50 PM

Installed new Goodyear Comortred touring on the car today. I paid for about 40% of the tires just to get it done as the service department was off to day for the holiday. I do not have time to wait as I travel during the week. They said leave the car and they will look at it. I said that is fine will you provide a loaner. He cannot provide a loaner because it will cost him $40 per day which he does not have the money to do that. I leave for chicago in the morning for an 800 mile trip so I will see how it does. I took it for a test drive and I am still not convinced the new tires are the answer. So what is it? I am going to step away to eliminate the emotional side of the challenge and look at it more reasonably. I evenly told them to refund my purchase price 100% and I will buy a new car. He said he would have to appraise the car because I am 15 days over their 30 day warranty so I would not receive a 100% credit. Oh, and when I had the tires replaced I had them inspect the battery because it has been charged twice, once myself the other time the dealer. The battery is bad so I had the tire shop replace it. Hopefully the toyota dealer will help out.

With all this said, what is left to do? I have balanced, rotated and a alignment. Installed new tires, once again balanced. Tire shop says the rims are not bent. I did come across T-SB-0106-08 that seems to describe the problem however i am having a challenge understanding if my VIN qualifies for the update. if I were to provide the VIN number could someone help me out? The TSB states it is for 2007-2008 Camry model however my car is a 2009 but it is showing that it went into service on 4/17/2008 per the carfax and auto checker.

leakyseals · 01-03-2012, 05:49 AM

Use the TSB to verify production date. That may cover. If a thick rubber comfortred cant quiet it down, then somethings wrong mechanically. Your doing all the right things. Is this an actual Toyota dealer or a used car lot? I worked for an "auction king" back in HS so I know the game. What does a "certified" car mean? Is it a sales gimmick or a legit paper from Toyota?

jedolson · 01-03-2012, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leakyseals

Use the TSB to verify production date. That may cover. If a thick rubber comfortred cant quiet it down, then somethings wrong mechanically. Your doing all the right things. Is this an actual Toyota dealer or a used car lot? I worked for an "auction king" back in HS so I know the game. What does a "certified" car mean? Is it a sales gimmick or a legit paper from Toyota?

I purchased it from a toyota dealer and chose this car because it was certified. I am planning on leaving the car with them for a week in the middle of January. I have not scheduled an appointment at this time as I want to analyze and record more details during my Chicago trip this week. My concern, I will leave the car with them, I will be out money because of a rental car and all they will tell me is they are unable to duplicate the problem. My goal, a car that rides well, quiet and no vibration. I would have purchased a new car yesterday but they did not seem motivated to get the ball rolling. i do agree with the pre owned sales manager that he would like to fix the car I have.

leakyseals · 01-03-2012, 07:07 AM

Wow, that's some Toyota dealer. The one near me bent over backwards to fix a problem, cost was never an issue. Anyways if you reported a problem on a certified car prior to warranty expiration and there is a record you have legal standing. If you reported an issue that was not fixed to your satisfaction prior to warranty expiration you have the right to an exchange or a refund. Suggest you take it up with the Toyota corporate office.

Edit: In Massachusetts we do, not sure in your state. verify what the certification means and what rights your state entitles you to for lemon laws, honoring contracts etc. They wont risk their right to operate.