2001 Toyota Camry: check engine light

Filed Mar 3, 2014 · Engine · 185 miles · KS

My engine light has been on since I've had this car , 2001. No one could ever tell me why the light has been on all this time until I took it in for an oil change and was told that they couldn't do it because I had a severe oil leak. This car now needs head gaskets. It seems to be a toyota problem.

Filed Feb 28, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 78,500 miles · PA

I used the date of 2/23/2013 because that is when the problem became full blown but about 2 months before that date the car began surge when I put the car in gear after being parked and while at a stop sign. It sounded then and still sounds like a fly wheel or something under the hood is running at a very high rate of speed. If I had not had my foot on the brake it felt as though I would have gone forward into the car ahead of me. Finally on 2/23/2013 the car started surging and then hesitating non-stop. The check engine light came on and began to blink so I crept back home with fear. When the car hesitates it feels as though it loses power and there's a backfiring sound in the rear. I took the car to aaa, they did a diagnostic on the computer and I had the ignition coil and spark plugs changed but the problem still exists. The surging and hesitation happens when the car is in gear (both drive and reverse) but not in neutral or park and it is constant. I have a fear that either the car will surge ahead while driving on a highway and I will cause an accident or be killed because the car may just completely stop. I contacted toyota corporate office on 2/28/2014 to see if there was a recall and to ask if they were aware of the problem. The representative said no to both questions, but I see that's no true.

Filed May 18, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · VA

My 2001 toyota camry started developing a problem more than two years ago, where it would start running rough and then stall--or sometimes stall without any warning. I have taken it into the toyota dealership numerous times, but they have not been able to fix it. If the car stalls or comes close to stalling then the engine light goes on, and the dealership has only been able to reset the engine light. Recently the dealership replaced the charcoal canister when the engine light came on, but that has not helped the running rough/stalling problem. The car seems to run rough or stall if it has gone above 4000 rpms ,and we can moderate the instances of a problem by avoiding sudden acceleration. My fear is that the car will stall in traffic and cause an accident.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 70,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota camry le. While the contact was driving the vehicle at a speed of 55 MPH and the vehicle had suddenly accelerated . The contact had to apply the brakes.in order to stop the acceleration. The front passenger side door can only be opened from the inside. The contact had called the dealership and was informed that her vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency recall# 10v017000 vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The failure mileage was at 70,000 and the current mileage is 101,000. Updated 05/06/10. *lj the consumer also stated the check engine light has been on for 3 years, despite replacing the gas cap.

Filed Sep 10, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 103,000 miles · MI · fire

I was traveling in my toyota camry 2001 on I 75 s from royal oak to detroit, mi around 2:30 am on september 6th 2009 ,when suddenly I heard some cracking noise underneath the hood and fire from underneath the hood. I was traveling at around 70 miles/hr and tried to steer the vehicle to wards the shoulder and power steering failed and I saw engine light blinking, then tried to slow down and brakes failed. I quickly used hand brake and stopped the vehicle. I quickly turned off the ignition and tried to open the door and noticed that it was locked. I quickly pulled both the knobs simultaneously and got out of the car and called 911. By the time fire engine came to the scene, the car was on huge fire. My car didn't have any major issues in the past. I did change timing belt as per the company guidelines and at authorized dealer/service center. I changed the tires 2 months ago and oil change 1 and half month ago. Neither cops nor me could come to a conclusion on what went wrong. I am letting you know as it may help to increase the safety of cars if you investigate my car. I will be waiting for your response.

Filed Aug 14, 2006 · Engine · 56,000 miles · MD

Check engine light coming on repeatedly with code p0446 even after getting it repaired twice.

Filed Jun 23, 2006 · Fuel system · 58,000 miles · FL

When my engine light came on in my 2001 toyota camry, I brought the car to baker auto service. I was told the vsv needed to be replaced, it was on a recall list and I should take it to a toyota dealer. I brought the car to king toyota in deerfield beach, fl and paid an $80.88 diagnostic fee. I was told that the car needed vsv and a charcoal canister. I was also told there was no recall on these parts and the repair cost would be $628. The dealer informed me that is potentially dangerous not to replace these parts because if I am rear-ended the gas tank will explode, similar to the recall for the ford pinto. If this is the case, why have these parts not been recalled? Please advise me on any mending action on this problem and any recourse I might have.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Fuel system · 34,000 miles · MI

Check engine light went on. Dealer replaced valve and vacuum switch. Eleven months later the same thing happened, only this time it was another valve and the sop canister. *nm we went on a toyota camry chat line and discovered many many other owners with the identical problem. The vehicle had only 28000 mis. With the first repair and 34,000 with the second and larger repair. It sounds like this is a problem with a large number of camrys. Should there be a recall?

Filed Aug 22, 2005 · Fuel system · 40,000 miles · VA

My check engine light was coming on with approximately 40,000 miles on my 2001 camry. After taking it to the dealer, I was told a valve was bad and would need to be replaced (along with about $2000 of other things that mysteriously didn't need any work at my 36,ooo mile end of warrenty check-up). A cursory internet search showed that the valve part was actually a sensor that regulates fuel. The internet search showed several articles about inproperly calibrated sensors and articles saying that 2001 camrys manufatured in kentucky were under recall for defective sensors. I waited for a recall notice, and never received one. I searched again for the calibration articles and a mechanic advised that the light would turn off if I did not carry a lot of luggage in the trunk , did not accelerate too quickly or use a bicycle rack on the trunk. Avoiding these things caused the light to go out for long periods of time, usually a few thousand miles, and then the light would come on and go back off before I could take it to a mechanic. I inquired at two toyota dealerships to see if my car was to be recalled. Both said no. The national toyota customer relations insisted no 2001 camrys from kentucky were recalled, despite my finding that several recall websites listed them. The check engine light is now back on, and has not turned off like it has in the past. After seeing so many articles on improper calibration and defects, I would like to submit my car for recall.

Filed Apr 25, 2005 · Fuel system · 38,500 miles · IL

In my 2001 toyota camry, my check engine light has recently come on. It was due to a faulty vsv valve charcoal canister assembly, as I am being told. As a result, this car will not past state emissions. I have also been told I need to pay over $400.00 so far on this repair. I am forced to do this at this time since I need to pass the emissions and be able to drive the car. This car has just turned 40k miles. I have researched on the web and found many toyota owners have the same problem. Some and getting repairs done for free, some are not. There is a service bulletin on this, but no recall, so I have heard.

Filed Dec 15, 2004 · Engine · 96,000 miles · PA

While driving at any speed engine warning light illuminated. Consumer had no other problems. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jul 19, 2004 · Engine · VA

While driving check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic placed the vehicle on the diagnostic machine. Then, mechanic informed consumer that the machine showed that emission charcoal canister, and vacuum switch valve were not working and needed replacement.