The consumer was concerned that the vehicle may catch on fire because the vehicle was leaking oil. *nm the rear main seal leaked. Smoke was also present. *sc
1996 Toyota Camry engine complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 77, newest first, as owners wrote them.
4 cylinder engine has starting problems when cold. It takes about three or four attempts to start (stalls a lot.) took vehicle to independent shop and was told it "probably" needed a timing belt. $1200 later and the car was good for about three months. The stalling problem is back. Toyota said it cannot diagnose if they cannot duplicate problem. No codes set and it will not happen all the time. It is becoming fustrating though.
Air fuel sensor failed. As a result the warning light came on. Part is not able to be maintained by anyone including a mechanic, and there was no way of checking unless the part failed.
Failure to pass smog test. My 1996 camry has been serviced regularly, mostly by dealer. Had its 60,000 mile service in august last year by toyota (and 45,000 service in 02). Failed the smog test at 70,271 miles. Toyota dealer then did investigation (said failing hc reading slightly over limit). Check 02-ss signal on both sensor and pcv valve. They also said they "removed and clean mass air flow and pcv system". Just doesn't seem right that the car didn't pass the smog check, when toyota has been maintaining car, and when the car really isn't that old (with no modifications).
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.
Original engine valve seals failed prematurely at 38k miles are were repaired by dealer under warranty. After another 40k miles the seals failed again. Dealer estimate for second prematuer valve seal repair is $1,000.
Complain I own a 1996 toyota camry that recently experienced an engine damage due to the build-up of oil sludge before 80,000 miles. My car has the same 2.2l 4 cylinder engine as their camry 1997-2001 models, which toyota agreed to cover the cost of repairing those engines. 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.
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.
Idle problem. Taken to mechanic twice. Have replaced isc valve at least once a year since 1996 (twice in 1997 and 1998), in the last year car has stalled when slowing down to complete engine shutdown in middle of roadway. Engine takes a few tries to start again.
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.
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.
Took my car in to have the timing belt replaced and to find out what the cause of these problems were; car worked fine otherwise: rattle ling noises coming from valve cover, engine consuming coolant, front engine seals leaking. Total cost for these repairs was $1992.42 got my car back from the dealer, four days later the car dies on the road. Car was towed back to dealer at their expense. Dealer found that the timing belt had skipped. They replaced the timing belt, declared car fixed and gave me the keys. I drove off and got as far as two blocks away from dealer before the car died again. This time the dealer said that the problem was due to engine gel. The dealer said the repairs would be covered by toyota but only if I could show proof of oil changes receipts, which I provided. I'm now trying to recover a refund for the repairs that I previously paid for that were due to the engine gel problems.
Engine was running fine but was taking it in for 60k mile service. Toyota dealership informed me of a bad oil sludge problem and estimated the repairs to be $4500. I took it to another mechanic and he said that there was a chance the engine has not been damaged, but only a chance. I let him perform the work of cleaning the oil pan and running a couple of oil changes to clean the sludge. The engine seemed to be running fine, but now (january 2003) I am getting a lot of smoke from the exhaust and they tell me that something must have been damaged but they can't tell without taking the engine apart.
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.
In approx june of 2002 my timing belt had to be replaced I now appear to have the oil gelling problem. Approx may 2003 I got out of the car to pump gas and the door will not open on the driver side. Approx august 2003 I began noticing if driving on the highway and I apply my brakes my whole car begins shaking.
Sludge bill up in the enginge
Oil sludged at 77,000 miles after careful maintenance every 3,000 - 4,000 miles. Engine flushed, valve cover gasket replaced, etc. (my cost) and continued maintenance, now 89,000 engine is blow while on trip with 80 year old mother 400 miles away from home
I have always made regular oil changes, however, there is a definite oil sludge problem. Didn't realize I had any recourse, but after other friends and family had complained about their camrys, I did some research on the web, and low and behold I came across the exact problem many toyota camrys have had.
Problems with 1996 toyota camry.*mr a few years after the vehicle was purchased, the consumer received a letter from toyota which stated it was necessary to have the vehicle timing belt replaced before 60,000 miles. The letter indicated that if the belt should malfunction, the vehicle could stop running. Since receiving the letter the consumer has received numerous advertisements regarding timing belt replacements from several local toyota dealerships. The consumer believed that a recall should be issued since toyota seemed to know there was a problem. *jb
Engine seizure in 1996 toyota camry.*mr the engine seizure was due to engine sludge build up. *jb
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.
Several problems:faulty interior lighting,power antenna,brake noise,faulty power windows,main rear seal leak
Power steering failure on 1996 toyota camry.*mr while driving, the consumer loss control of the vehicle which was due to failure of the power steering. *ts. The timing belt and radiator hose were replaced.
Complain I own a 1996 toyota camry that recently experienced an engine damage due to the build-up of oil sludge before 80,000 miles. My car has the same 2.2l 4 cylinder engine as their camry 1997-2001 models, which toyota agreed to cover the cost of repairing those engines. 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. Peter xu.
Engine seizure due to oil sludge.
While driving consumer heard a loud boom noise. It was later determined that the engine had blown and had 2 large holes in it.
As of this week the flex pipe to the catalytic converter was determined to be malfunctioning. This caused exhaust gases to be emitted under the cabin of the vehicle. The local dealer is refusing to replace this part which is attached to the converter because he says that the part is not covered under warranty. However, the catalytic converter, which is covered under warranty is a single assembly attached to the malfunctioning "flex pipe".
The vehicle experienced stalling/starting problems, which was caused by the egr valve, the fuel pressure regulator and the idle speed control valve, which were all replaced, the tires experienced uneven tire wear, the brakes failed, there were transmission, driveline and steering problems, the o-ring was replaced, and also the vehicle began to exhibit engine oil sludge. *ak
The idle speed control valve was replaced because the vehicle had difficulties starting. The problem still occurred and was replaced 7 more times. The consumer found information on a toyota report which indicated that the egr valve and the fuel pressure regulator were preventing the vehicle from starting. *scc
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.
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