Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota camry. The contact heard a knocking sound in the steering column when he turned the steering wheel. When he turned the steering wheel all the way around, it seemed to malfunction as well. The dealer stated that the intermediate shaft malfunctioned and that there was a service bulletin available, but no recall. The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 26,828 and failure mileage was approximately 25,000. Updated 02-14-08. *kb updated 02/14/08
2004 Toyota Camry steering complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 80, newest first, as owners wrote them.
There is a knocking sound in steering column of my 2004 toyota camry while turning just before moving off. Car has 27,000 miles. This seems to be a factory defect. What recourse do I have?
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota camry. While driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated. The contact was still able to maintain control of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced due to normal wear and tear. The repair was not made. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 71,520.
2004 toyota camry has excessive play in steering column and make noise when making a left or right turn. Dealer states that it is just a noise but would replace lower column at a cost of $463.65. I believe that this is a potential safety issue in which the dealer/manufacturer is aware. This in my humble opinion should be a recall item paid for by toyota. This is my fourth toyota and I never had any issues like this beginning at 39,000. Noise was smaller and only noticed on left turns at first now much louder and occurs on left and right turns.
Shortly after we purchased a new 2004 camry sedan, we began noticing looseness, rattling, knocking sounds and "play" in the steering characteristics. In addition, in slow, tight-radius turns (as in parking lots), it almost felt as if the front tires would slide laterally over slick surfaces -- snow, ice, loose gravel, wet pavement. The problem was subtle at first but became gradually more noticeable. At highway speeds, there was a barely-perceptible oscillation or vibration of the steering wheel. At about 28k miles we noticed a pulling to the right. We asked for an alignment to be done and this did not correct the problem. The knocking, rattling, looseness, play, lateral skidding in tight-radius turns became worse over time and at about 50k miles we asked the dealer to check again. Dealers service order stated, "tsb st001-06 applies to this concern. An updated steering shaft ordered." the cost to repair was over $400. We believe this defect existed from the time the car was manufactured, and the description of the problem sounds similar to recalls or defects I have researched that affect the prius, avalon, and other toyota vehicles. We believe this could be a potential safety hazard.
I own a 2004 toyota camry with only 19,993 miles on it. The steering intermediate shaft was defective. Refer to technical service bulletin st001-06. I heard clanking and popping sounds coming from the steering shaft. The steering felt loose and sloppy. After reading the technical service bulletin I believed toyota discovered the faulty part in production and eventually changed to a new part. I was disappointed toyota charged me for labor to fix a part that was defective from the beginning. Toyota should have recalled the part and replaced it for free.
2004 toyota camry with steering shaft assembly problems**cc
When turning to the left, the steering wheel had a jerking motion and a knocking noise. Contacted dealer and said it has happened before on occassion. Car taken to dealer and replaced a lower steering shaft to a newer version. Comment was that this car was a new design and this particular part needed replacement. My problem is that it was not covered under warranty and I had to pay for the replacement. The old part was not available for me to take it.
On going problem with 2004 toyota camry since 53k miles. Coupling between steering column and rack and pinion pops as if their is a bearing failure in union. Was advised they were aware of problem with a tsb, but not covered under recall or warranty since none had "failed" yet. Failure of part would directly affect control of steering of vehicle. After contact corporate toyota they said in email I would have to work it out with the dealer who said the part was not covered and not a safety issue. Vehicle has not been repaired, but problem and popping in column is getting worse.
Tl* - the contact heard a clanking noise while driving. .this happened when turning the steering wheel left or right, whether the vehicle was being driven or standing still. The contact stated that the steering column will not adjust, and the wheel leaned a little to the left. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer , and they did not diagnose the problem, but gave him an estimate of what it would cost to repair the steering failure. The contact stated he has been hearing the clanking noise every since he purchased the vehicle back in december 2004, but the noise was getting worse. *ak updated 01/30/07.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 MPH on normal road conditions a clicking noise was heard. There were no warning lights illuminated. When the vehicle was taken to the dealership for its regular service, the mechanic determined the intermediate shaft of the steering gear needed to be replaced, however it was not a safety problem. The contact was aware of vehicles affected by corrosion when operated in salt belt states creating specific steering failures. The manufacturer was contacted who also indicated there was no recall but the dealership would honor the cost of the parts but not the labor involved for the repair. Updated 2/22/2007 -
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds a clunking noise was heard coming from the steering column, and there was excessive play within the steering wheel. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where the steering rack was replaced however the problem has recurred.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicles steering locks up, and will need an ignition cylinder for repair the problem. Several dealers confirmed that this is a recurring issue with vehicles of this year, make and model.
I heard and felt a noise on my steering wheel on my 2004 toyota camry an when I took it to the dealer they said that I needed a steering shaft/intermediate shaft. I happened to check the web and found that other people were having the same problem and that there was a tsb on this problem. Also that there was a new shaft made to remedy this situation. I have contacted the dealer and the manufacturer which in turn had the dealer contact me. The service manager told me that they could not fix it since it was out of warranty. He said that if it had 39,000 miles they would probably repair but since I had 60,000 they would not. He did offered me a goodwill gesture of 15% off the cost. My contention is that this was a known issued, and since this has to do with a safety issue such as the steering why wasn't something done before having come to this. The car runs out of warranty and people have to pay for something that they knew about and is a safety issue I also took it to an independent automobile repair shop to see what they thought and they told me that they believe that the noise was coming from the shaft and steering gear box. They did repair a vehicle of someone who 's car was out of warranty but only a few hundred miles over the expiration of the warranty.
Looseness in steering wheel with binding associated with popping noise in front of 2004 toyota camry with 40k.
Failure of intermediate steering shaft causes clunking and looseness of steering system. Toyota refused to give its dealer a replacement part. Instead, dealer noted this information on service form: "toyota will be issuing a recall regarding condition in near future. Will receive notice by mail." this was on december 10, 2005. I have not yet received a recall notice. Has toyota contacted the federal safety agency about a recall for the intermediate steering shaft?
Steering knuckle defective on 2004 toyota camry. Provides a major safety issue. Problem has been going on for two weeks. Now after taking it to an official toyota dealer repair shop, problem still not fixed. Now at least two week to a month wait on part. Was told we were number 536 on waiting list, and was told it was not a safety issue in short term, but do not believe that. Steering is loose, and a catch occurs in steering. Passenger can even feel when this occurs. Dealer has reported three exact same problems with other camrys in the same week.
Recently I brought my 04 camry to my dealer because of sulfur smell and rattle at light acceleration. The dealer verified the problems and replaced the converter and intake manifold according to the tsbs. They said they also had to re-program the ECM. Then after I picked up the car, I found everything is harder: the acceleration, steering, and braking. I found it is hard to maintain a speed whether on local or highway. On may 28,2005, while I drove the car on highway with 4 persons sitting in the car (including me), I found the steering was very hard and felted like it was locked, and I found it is very hard to accelerate to hwy speed and hard to maintain it. I brought the car to the dealer again on may 31. After having a technician test drove it, they told me it was similar to other camrys (normal) and wouldn't want to solve my problem. I believe they never tried to reproduce my problem (by having more people sitting in the car). I think this problem is a safty issue so I file complaint with the federal safety agency. I also feel the car doesn't shift right and engine is noiser after the convert/intake change and re-programming.
Vehicle pulls to left or right--mostly left. Vehilce will not drive straight without constant pressure on the steering wheel. I have complained and have taken it in for service and/or test driven a total of eight times. Four times have been in the last month. The springs have been replaced and a wheel alignment has been performed. Two service managers have driven with me from two different dealerships. They could feel the car pulling but said it was "normal." there is a technical service bulletin to repair the vehicle pull/drift but there has not been any improvement to my vehicle. I hear rattles in the driver window, the passenger window/door, and the dash. The windows were serviced once. The dash has been serviced twice. Servicemen replaced the seatbelt panel on the passenger side because they thought the noise existed there. The noise still exists. Since then, they don't try to repair and I've been told 'a little play in the windows is normal.'
Toyota camry was purchased june 28, 2004. Pulled to left during test drive but was promised that it would be aligned and taken care of. Repeated trip's for service have resulted in the tires be rotated repeatedly but no effect on the pulling issue. Ended up in arbitration. Waste of time. Shop forman type person acknowledged this as a oft repeated complaint. Arbitration denied any type repair or replacement. Constantly repeated the "crown of the road" story, the "its designed that way for your safety" story, etc. First set of tires wore out after 18000 miles. Was told that they're designed that way for a better ride. Took car to another toyota dealer. He changed springs and such, apparently to exercise the warranty. After nearly a week in the shop, no better. Again told the "crown of the road story" and the "its designed that way" story. To repeat what if have seen in the other complaints, this is too much to pay for a new car that constantly pulls to the left. It would seem to me that having it pull towards the oncoming traffic would not be the desired result here. The act of having to constantly apply right tension is not only tiring, it is very dangerous. If you glance away from the road, the abnormal feel of right tension causes some totally undesirable maneuvers. Totally frustrating. It appears that my third toyota will be my last.
Car was parked in driveway for 2 days on march 31 and april 1 during a driving rain storm car was not driven for 2 days. On friday afternoon april 1 at 3:3 pm opened car door and driver's side floor and carpeting was wet from gas pedal under seat to back seat. Toyota said nothing was wrong and I must have driven in high water or parked where my car could flood. First of all car wasn't under water in my driveway, if that was the case, my entire car would be flooded, not just drivers side floorboard, and my house would be under water. Second of all ,if I had driven in high water both sides of floor board would be wet. Not just drivers side. On march 30th day before the storm my car came from toyota shop from getting a steering shaft put in the car. Makes me wonder if they didn't seal something up around the firewall, anyway they are refusing to take responsibility. Something is wrong with this car, is leaking on just the drivers side floorboard. Also bad rattles in b pillars.
Vehicle has pulled left ever since the tires were rotated for the first time. I've had it back to the dealer three times, with them showing me that the alignment falls within specs, and attributing the pull to road crown. I just had my 30k mile service, and they called to let me know that my tires are wearing unevenly because of alignment issues. I paid to have it aligned again and reminded them about my problems the last time (please note that my tires are supposedly rotated each time the dealer performs an oil change). I drove the vehicle home and it still pulled to the left. I am going back there today to have them road test it with me again, on the phone the tech again attributed it to road crown which I denied, but I'll see what happens. This is ridiculous that a dealership or manufacturer won't repair known issues with their vehicles.
Car started pulling to the right when travelling 65-70 MPH, leading to hitting a bridge wall and going down hill after that.suspension and steering heavily damaged, also damage to the body of car. I have been driving for more than 4 years now and this is the first time that I saw a car behave so strangely. Since toyota camry has so many complaints from consumers saying that the car pulls to the left, I am thinking if the car was tampered with before sale, causing it to pull to the right instead of left to keep the complaints at bay.. Also while driving for the 4 months that I had the car I noticed that the steering would turn to the right when ever I braked(I should have reported this at that very moment) unfortunate that I am doing this after been an horrible accident.
While driving brakes and/or steering was over riding his judgment. Vehicle started the pull to the right consumer had a hard time trying to keep the vehicle in line. *ak....while driving on dry flat road about 70 MPH vehicle began to pull to the right. Consumer tried to correct back straight but steering did not respond. Turned harder and to leftand car started lef toff the road. Tried to correct back right lightly and steering did not respond. Turne dharder right and car went hard right almost off the road. Consume rhit the brakes to keep from leaving the road. Also, vehicle has bad vibration a thighway speeds from tires.
When driving, the steering wheel pulled to the left/right intermittently. *jb the vehicle had been serviced six times but the problem still exists. Two sets of tires had been worn out. The tires were out of alignment.
From day one car has pulled to the left. Steering wheel is also not centered and has too much "play". I must apply constent pressure to the right just to keep the car straight. Car does not have a solid, stable feel to it where steering is concerened. I have broght this back twice to laurel toyota carmax and they have not fixed it. I had a loaner car for two days and that car felt like it should. I will file a complaint with the manufacturer as well.
- new toyota camry le purchased january 2004 - on february 25th key would not turn (took 10 - 15 minutes to start it) - later while parking, the car the steering locked turning the car to the right - the car accelerated and surged despite depressing the brake (same as odi peo4021) - though the car broke a metal flag pole, damaged a retaining wall, and fell seven feet into a major street, the air bags did not deploy - car is severely damaged: wheels, tires, front end, gas tank, front axle - driver has a swollen and sore knee along with significant soft tissue injuries including back pain *sc
I bought this car on 1/1/04. When I took it back a week later to have leather put on the seats, I told them it was pulling to the left. Supposedly they aligned the front end but they didn't put anything in the computer about it. They have rotated the tires, switched the tires, aligned the front end, put a new rack on it etc. Etc. The last time they told me there was nothing wrong with it and I should read the owners manual on how to operate it. I have dealt with this for 3 months and no satisfaction. I took it back to them and told them I wanted another car. They gave me one to see if I liked it and then pulled mine in to work on it again after I had told them no more. They called me today to tell me it was fixed. Right!!! I have called my lawyer.
A new 2004 camry se will not align and has severe steering problems. To follow toyota's suggest the alignment computer generated report will note: cross camber actual "this value is not within specification. Tire wear, handling and safety problems may result."
I bought a 04 camry le in nov.03 but found it kept pulling to left. Since then I have brought it to dealership twice for fix. The first time, they said it is out of alignment and aligned all 4 wheels. But it still pulled. The second time they cross rotated two tires and slightly adjusted the toe(as they told me). This time it is slightly improved. However, I found the steering is not symmetrical, I.e. Turning left and turning right give me different feeling. So I guess the fix they did was not the right fix. They just tried to compensate the left pull by playing with the toe angles. It still pulls! Recently I noticed many camry owners have the same problem. Some of them actually had the problem fixed by a so-called "rotating upper spring insulator by 25mm ccw" meothd. And the problem is becuase of an assembly issue. So I would like toyota to have my problem addressed. They should fix their assembly issue and not let customers keep complaining without results!!!
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