1996 Toyota Camry: engine failure

Filed Mar 10, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 140,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota camry. The contact stated that when attempting to turn the vehicle, the steering wheel would seize in the turned position without warning. The contact stated that excessive force was required in order to maneuver the vehicle when it seized. In addition, the speedometer failed to provide accurate reading levels. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2015 · Fuel system · 77,000 miles · NE · crash

Unintended acceleration. I was turning a corner with my foot slightly on the brake. Suddenly the car lunged ahead at a fast speed without me having my foot on the gas pedal. Then jumped a curb and flattened a stop sign. The car was then heading towards a chain-link fence surrounding a multitude of high electrical towers. I turned the wheel to my right and bounced down the curb onto the street. I was heading towards some lawn mower trailers. I had both feet on the brake pressing down as hard as I could, but the car did not slow down. Suddenly the engine died and the car stopped. Toyota towed the car in for inspection. They said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I am afraid to drive it now and I am without a car. I checked the internet and saw that this unintended acceleration happened with many 1996 models. It was a terrifying experoence. I could have killed someone. There was a lawn crew working in the area at the time this occurred. Do I have any recourse? The date this happened was first mid-week in april, 2015. Thank you.

Filed May 8, 2008 · Engine · 117,000 miles · OH

Daughter was driving her 1996 camry vehicle cut off while driving she coasted to the side of the road vehicle had to be towed. Later learned from two different mechanics that engine had seized up for no apparent reason.

Filed Feb 27, 2007 · Engine, Steering · 140,578 miles · AZ

Tl* - the contact called regarding the 1996 toyota camry. The contact stated that during a routine oil change the mechanic discovered a sticky substance around the valve cover gasket. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new engine. The contact believed thiswas a safety defect. The failure mileage was 140,578. *ak the power steering pump was re-sealed, the timing belt and axle seals were replaced. Updated 04/12/07.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Engine · 67,000 miles · FL

The oil passage was too narrow, not letting oil into the crank shaft. This caused a rod to blow through the block, which caused the engine to fail and no longer to operate. Manufacturer was contacted by owner.*ak engine was replaced with a used motor, timing belt, water pump and cap rotor wires. Manufacturer was notified but did not do anything.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 110,000 miles · FL

My car has 135,000 miles on it and I was recently noticing that it would run hard and not switch gears as smoothly as it once had. I took it in to a toyota dealership to be evaluated and was told it had sludge in my engine probably due to infrequent oil changes I was then informed by the service advisor that it needed a new engine and that it would cost approximately $5000-$6000. I informed the advisor that I always had my oil changed as per the owner?s manual, and I requested a written estimate as to the exact details that formed the basis for this price quote. I was ultimately denied that information. The gentleman told me he would call me back and/or fax it to me, after which I received nothing. I called again, got his supervisor instead of the service advisor, and he explained that engine sludge was the diagnosis and that I could not get a written estimate because the exact parts needed could not be determined. He stated he would have to have someone look further into the engine's problem to give me the estimate in writing. I asked why this hadn't been done prior to the completion of the diagnosis that I ordered, and he then began stammering and informed me that he didn't have my file in front of him and he could call me back after looking into it further. He then proceeded to ask me if I was really willing to pay that much for an engine?. When I asked what my other alternatives were, he offered to transfer me to a salesman! I never received any further phone calls. It has been my experience that if I am not willing to buy a new vehicle, the level of service I receive decreases dramatically. I have since taken my car to another independent shop to have it repaired, where I have been able to get an explanation both in writing and by the advisor in conversation as to what exactly is wrong and what exactly needs to be fixed.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MA

My 1996 camry was recently diagnosed with a major sludge problem requiring a new engine after only 80,000 miles. The car has the same 2.2l 4 cylinder engine that has been shown to be susceptible to this sludge problem, but toyota has refused to cover the cost of repairing my engine under the "special policy" repair program that they implemented to address the problem with this engine. Toyota did not dispute that it was the same engine that has experienced this problem - instead, the ridiculous and totally illogical reason they gave was that their "special policy" repair program was limited to the engines manufactured during an arbitrary time period and the engine in my camry fell outside that period by two months. In other words, they are fixing some of these defective engines but not others.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 39,486 miles · SC

I have engine gelling that has LED to engine damage severe enough that I will either need a new short block or new engine (according to toyota). Even with all of the work that I have already had on the vehicle, the engine is not in proper running order and will take thousands of dollars to remedy the issue.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 158,000 miles · GA

Took camry to dealer (world toyota) discovered engine sludge problem, entire engine needs to be replaced, cannot re-build.. Notified customer service twice at toyota main office. Still have not resolved issue.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 140,000 miles · TN

After purchasing the car in march 2002, all oil changes were performed by me. The previous owner is a friend, and I know the car was maintained very well (appearance of the car also reflects this). In early may 2003, with my wife driving, the car threw #1 piston rod through the block. The engine still had ample oil, and only had 1500 miles after an oil change (I change the oil between 3-4000 miles, religously). This is not the type of engine failure to expect from a well maintained car, and after pulling the motor out, I noticed sludge all over the oil pan, valve covers, and on various engine components.

Filed Sep 30, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · 70,000 miles · FL

While driving at 35 MPH vehicle lost brake and steering power. This occurred because the timing belt jumped, and the engine seized up because of an oil jellying problem in the engine, per dealership.

Filed Mar 19, 2003 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MA

I own a 1996 toyota camry that recently experienced an engine failure due to the build-up of oil sludge after only 80,000 miles. My car has the same 2.2l 4 cylinder engine that has been shown to be susceptible to this sludge problem. In recognition of the problem with these engines, toyota agreed to cover the cost of repairing those engines in their 1997-2001 models. However, despite the fact that my car has the same engine and it was produced two months prior to that time frame, because it is in a 1996 model toyota has refused to cover the cost of repairing it. There is no disputing that the failure of thousands of these engines as a result of a build-up of oil sludge can be attributable only to the fact that these engines are defective. As such, it is absolutely outrageous that toyota should take responsibility for the repair of some of these defective engines and not others. Thank you for your consideration. Gary levine.