Hello,
Many of you already know that there is a huge problem with the factory struts on Toyota Camry 2007+. For those of you who don't know, I hope this thread will help you in either getting reimbursed or getting the parts replaced.
Toyota has issued a response bulletin to all the recent complaints stating that slight leaking struts on a 2007+ Camry is normal and does not require shock or strut replacements. The bulletin documentation shows 5 levels of leakage.
Level 1 - Entire strut is covered with oil (Replace shocks)
Level 2 - Excess leak past the lower spring seat (Replace shocks)
Level 3 - Slight leak past the lower spring seat (Replace shocks)
Level 4 - Leaking up until the lower spring seat (No replacement needed)
Level 5 - Slight leak (No replacement needed)
"Normal seepage observed, normal condition small amount of oil are for lubrication":bullshitz
Here is the problem many others and I have with this bulletin.
1. Reports of leaking struts begin anywhere from 10,000 miles - 40,000 miles. Struts should not leak, especially not at 10K - 40K range. Having owned 4 previous Toyota's (Highlander, Land cruiser, Sienna, Rav4) all of which are past 100,000-mile mark have had zero issues with leaking struts before 70,000 miles
2. Leaking struts are not normal, regardless of amount. Only Toyota openly states that "leaking struts" is considered "normal seepage" Go to any other dealer whether it be Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Ford, or Hyundai, leaking struts are replaced without question if your car is under warranty.
My experience:
Puente Hills Toyota Dealership (On Gale in Southern California)
It seems level 3 and level 4 replacements are at the discretion of the dealership.
At around 28,000 miles, and a few months before warranty was about to expire. I brought in my Camry for a check engine light issue and I also notified the service adviser there was slight leakage on the struts (When I went to a independent shop the mechanic notified me while doing alignment and tire rotation). The service adviser told me "Slight leaking is normal, and will not be replaced, however we will continue to monitor your struts every 5000 miles." Here is the problem, I was unable to put 5000 miles in 2 months, and when I finally did I called back (3-4 months after) they told me they were very strict on their warranty policy and since it was 2 months after warranty they were unable to do anything about it regardless of how bad the leaking may be.
I decided to take my Camry to an independent mechanic and get all 4 struts replaced since the ride quality was complete crap, especially going over bumps. A buddy of mine informed me; who also had leaking struts and had just passed the warranty mark by 100 miles, that his dealership partially reimbursed him for an independent job out of good will.
Brought the struts that were taken out the Camry and explained that the struts began to leak at 28K miles, and they are now leaking past the lower spring seat. I asked politely if reimbursement was possible since this is a known problem for the 2007+ Camry and that the problem occurred while the warranty was still active.
Here were the following excuses and responses I was given
Service Rep: I spoke with our service manager and unfortunately according to the service bulletin released by Toyota (pulls out the strut leaking chart), your leakage is only at level 4 and we are unable to replace it unless it is at level 1.
Me: (I look at the service bulletin and on the bottom of level 1-3 the instructions on the bottom stated to replace struts) My struts are actually at level 3, do you want me to pull out the strut bars and lay it out on the service managers desk, the oil leak is well past the lower spring seat and resembles the diagram stated as level 3.
Service Rep: Unfortunately even if it is at level 3, you replaced the struts at an independent shop basically accepting the fact your car is out of warranty, we cannot reimburse you.
Me: I replaced them after being denied over the phone, I am here for a reimbursement of what I paid to get it fixed, the problem occurred while the car was under warranty.
Service Rep: Let me see if a note was made previously *pause* sorry sir there is nothing in the notes (what a coincidence) therefore their is nothing I can do for you.
A level 3 leak does not occur overnight, it takes time and mileage for it to become that severe. It is quite obvious the dealership will say anything and do anything to avoid a $1700 warranty repair for all 4 struts.
Options:
1. Report it to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety) 1-888-327-4236
NHTSA is in charge of recalls, filing a formal complaint with NHTSA will increase the chances of forcing Toyota to do a full recall on all Toyota 2007+ Camry struts. It only takes about 10 minutes, please have your VIN # ready. Would you rather have Toyota do a recall or charge you $1700 to replace all 4 struts?
2. Begin a mediation http://www.nmvb.ca.gov/consumer_program/appl/SendMediationForm.aspx
If your dealership denied you of a repair, when obviously the leak began before the warranty period ended or if they gave you a an excuse to lag it until your vehicle was out of warranty, this is place to start for reimbursement. This form also works for those who had an independent technician/mechanic replace the struts instead of paying the $1700 to a dealer to do it.
3. If step 2 fails, it's time to take them to a small claims court.
Having previous filed mediation, you greatly increase your chances of getting full reimbursement. File a claim in the county where the dealer refused to do the repair or reimburse you. Make sure to build your court case in depth and to have a counter response to any BS excuse they could come up with. Make sure to also state the number of reports that have been made with NHTSA and the increasing large number of mediations being reported to New Motor Vehicle Board Consumer Mediation Service.
I will be on at least once a day, if you have any questions or concerns or ask them here and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability. Also if your looking for a reputable mechanic in Southern California that won't charge a leg to repair all 4 struts go ahead and send me a PM.
Here are other useful sites:
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http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0e7ae1/0
http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Complaint/2007/Toyota/Camry/Suspension
http://www.camryforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5003
Many of you already know that there is a huge problem with the factory struts on Toyota Camry 2007+. For those of you who don't know, I hope this thread will help you in either getting reimbursed or getting the parts replaced.
Toyota has issued a response bulletin to all the recent complaints stating that slight leaking struts on a 2007+ Camry is normal and does not require shock or strut replacements. The bulletin documentation shows 5 levels of leakage.
Level 1 - Entire strut is covered with oil (Replace shocks)
Level 2 - Excess leak past the lower spring seat (Replace shocks)
Level 3 - Slight leak past the lower spring seat (Replace shocks)
Level 4 - Leaking up until the lower spring seat (No replacement needed)
Level 5 - Slight leak (No replacement needed)
"Normal seepage observed, normal condition small amount of oil are for lubrication":bullshitz
Here is the problem many others and I have with this bulletin.
1. Reports of leaking struts begin anywhere from 10,000 miles - 40,000 miles. Struts should not leak, especially not at 10K - 40K range. Having owned 4 previous Toyota's (Highlander, Land cruiser, Sienna, Rav4) all of which are past 100,000-mile mark have had zero issues with leaking struts before 70,000 miles
2. Leaking struts are not normal, regardless of amount. Only Toyota openly states that "leaking struts" is considered "normal seepage" Go to any other dealer whether it be Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Ford, or Hyundai, leaking struts are replaced without question if your car is under warranty.
My experience:
Puente Hills Toyota Dealership (On Gale in Southern California)
It seems level 3 and level 4 replacements are at the discretion of the dealership.
At around 28,000 miles, and a few months before warranty was about to expire. I brought in my Camry for a check engine light issue and I also notified the service adviser there was slight leakage on the struts (When I went to a independent shop the mechanic notified me while doing alignment and tire rotation). The service adviser told me "Slight leaking is normal, and will not be replaced, however we will continue to monitor your struts every 5000 miles." Here is the problem, I was unable to put 5000 miles in 2 months, and when I finally did I called back (3-4 months after) they told me they were very strict on their warranty policy and since it was 2 months after warranty they were unable to do anything about it regardless of how bad the leaking may be.
I decided to take my Camry to an independent mechanic and get all 4 struts replaced since the ride quality was complete crap, especially going over bumps. A buddy of mine informed me; who also had leaking struts and had just passed the warranty mark by 100 miles, that his dealership partially reimbursed him for an independent job out of good will.
Brought the struts that were taken out the Camry and explained that the struts began to leak at 28K miles, and they are now leaking past the lower spring seat. I asked politely if reimbursement was possible since this is a known problem for the 2007+ Camry and that the problem occurred while the warranty was still active.
Here were the following excuses and responses I was given
Service Rep: I spoke with our service manager and unfortunately according to the service bulletin released by Toyota (pulls out the strut leaking chart), your leakage is only at level 4 and we are unable to replace it unless it is at level 1.
Me: (I look at the service bulletin and on the bottom of level 1-3 the instructions on the bottom stated to replace struts) My struts are actually at level 3, do you want me to pull out the strut bars and lay it out on the service managers desk, the oil leak is well past the lower spring seat and resembles the diagram stated as level 3.
Service Rep: Unfortunately even if it is at level 3, you replaced the struts at an independent shop basically accepting the fact your car is out of warranty, we cannot reimburse you.
Me: I replaced them after being denied over the phone, I am here for a reimbursement of what I paid to get it fixed, the problem occurred while the car was under warranty.
Service Rep: Let me see if a note was made previously *pause* sorry sir there is nothing in the notes (what a coincidence) therefore their is nothing I can do for you.
A level 3 leak does not occur overnight, it takes time and mileage for it to become that severe. It is quite obvious the dealership will say anything and do anything to avoid a $1700 warranty repair for all 4 struts.
Options:
1. Report it to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety) 1-888-327-4236
NHTSA is in charge of recalls, filing a formal complaint with NHTSA will increase the chances of forcing Toyota to do a full recall on all Toyota 2007+ Camry struts. It only takes about 10 minutes, please have your VIN # ready. Would you rather have Toyota do a recall or charge you $1700 to replace all 4 struts?
2. Begin a mediation http://www.nmvb.ca.gov/consumer_program/appl/SendMediationForm.aspx
If your dealership denied you of a repair, when obviously the leak began before the warranty period ended or if they gave you a an excuse to lag it until your vehicle was out of warranty, this is place to start for reimbursement. This form also works for those who had an independent technician/mechanic replace the struts instead of paying the $1700 to a dealer to do it.
3. If step 2 fails, it's time to take them to a small claims court.
Having previous filed mediation, you greatly increase your chances of getting full reimbursement. File a claim in the county where the dealer refused to do the repair or reimburse you. Make sure to build your court case in depth and to have a counter response to any BS excuse they could come up with. Make sure to also state the number of reports that have been made with NHTSA and the increasing large number of mediations being reported to New Motor Vehicle Board Consumer Mediation Service.
I will be on at least once a day, if you have any questions or concerns or ask them here and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability. Also if your looking for a reputable mechanic in Southern California that won't charge a leg to repair all 4 struts go ahead and send me a PM.
Here are other useful sites:
http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Complaint/2007/Toyota/Camry/Suspension
http://www.camryforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5003
