2008 Toyota Camry: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jun 25, 2018 · Engine · 35,134 miles · CA

My 2008 camry le has 35,000 miles on it. The coolant level has always been maintained. I am the original owner. The water pump bearings failed so that the pump made grinding noises, the drive shaft was wobbling, and the pump was leaking coolant. The noises began abruptly while the vehicle was being driven (6/16/18). I took the car to a shop (6/20/18) and replaced the pump, making sure the shop put in longlife coolant and replaced all the old coolant. A check of complaints against toyota water pump complaints reveals that premature failures are a common problem in camrys between 2007 and 2009. Toyota does not want to accept responsibility for replacing the pumps. I kept the old water pump, serpentine belt, and shop invoice. I would like my costs reimbursed.

Filed Feb 25, 2016 · Brakes · 102,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota camry. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the master, brake, electrical control brake, ABS, and vsc slip indicator warning lights illuminated. In addition, a check vsc system error message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal was difficult to depress and the brake lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. Updated 04/19/16*lj consumer stated the car now makes a funny creaky/grinding sound when the vehicle is turned on or shut off or put in gear or taken out of gear. The actuator was eventually replaced. Updated 6/6/18

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 40,000 miles · LA

My brakes needed replacing at approx. 40-44k miles. My belts/water pump broke/cracked at approx 50k miles. The mechanic said the water pump, if it ever broke at all, shouldn't break till min. 100k miles. I am about to take the camry to a mechanic to check engine racing and grinding front passenger side window motor. This car has been a money pit with awful visibility. I've spent many thousands on this car before it reach 50k miles.

Filed Jun 28, 2014 · Brakes · TX

It is extremely difficult to understand why toyota has not been advised and demanded to recall toyota camry year models 2008 when there are so many issues with regard to the brake actuator assembly failing in these vehicles. After reading an extended volume of complaints on many sites and blogs with regard to the failing of these assemblies, I now see that the federal safety agency has demanded toyota and lexus recall 2013 and 2014 year models because of this same defective issue. Why is toyota not being demanded to recall all year models that have these defective brake actuator assemblies???? It is incomprehensible to me that a recall can be made or demanded for a current year model however all of us who own 2008 toyota vehicles (especially and no explainable reason, camry's) have the exact same problem with no concern. Will it take a death or mutilation to further the federal safety agency to mandate that toyota to recall a totally defective brake system part. Toyota demands approximately $4,000 to replace the brake actuator assembly in these 2008 toyota camry's. That is robbery without a weapon. Why will current year 2013 and 2014 toyota and lexus owners get their cars repaired "gratis". I would love to hear an explanation of why 2013 and 2014 toyota and lexus owners will receive a "complimentary" recall of the brake actuator defect while we all drive a 2008 camry with squeaking, jerking, slams to a stop when starting in reverse and short of it sounding like it will break at any moment with all the brake warning lights beaming (and cannot get the car inspected for legal road use because of the brake issue). Please please value the 2008 camry owners. Bottom line is that this defect is not created by the car owner. It is a defective part that toyota placed within these 2008 camry models and they will not remedy the situation. Please help. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Filed Jun 14, 2011 · Brakes · 38,000 miles · TX · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota camry. The contact stated that she experienced brake failure several times while attempting to stop at any speed. The brakes would exhibit a squeaking noise and would travel abnormally to the floorboard when depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure where the front brake pads were replaced. Later, the contact applied the brakes and the brakes did not engage. The vehicle did not stop until the contact crashed into a stop sign and then into a ditch. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the brake booster and water pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 64,703.

Filed Apr 5, 2010 · Acceleration · 20,000 miles · WV

I have a 2008 toyota camry, when starting my auto, the engine races for appx. 30 seconds, then goes down. Also in the last 5 weeks I have notice that the car lurches forward then goes back to the spend I have it on. I am very nervous driving this car, this problem just started happening about 5 or 6 weeks ago, at first I thought I was just thinking it was happening, but it seems to be getting more frequent. I have to drive it, it is the only car I have, so doctors appointments have to be keep, fear or not, I hope it does not go speeding an not stop, my mother is 82 a very afraid to get into the car, but we have to go places. We live on roads with inclines. Very steep hills, one has a stop sign at the foot of it, but so far it does stop. It makes a loud engine noise. Like a grinding of the engine, at first the brakes hesitate stopping but I push really hard on them and they stop it. I took it in for an inspection sticker an they said it passed. I told them about the problem. They said they did not know what to do about it at this time.

Filed Mar 3, 2010 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · TX · crash

This is a part of a certified letter I sent to toyota on feb. 18, 2010: report / notice: my 2008 toyota camry has exhibited various malfunctions brake malfunction acceleration malfunction on my first incident. I have been driving for over 40 years and have never had a fault accident until last month, 1/26/2010. My 2008 toyota camry accelerated forward. I am not sure whether it was caused by the accelerator pedal or the brake malfunction: I had the brake on, accelerator off. Second incident. On feb. 16,2010, while I was driving at approximately 10 MPH coming to a stop light, I pressed my brake pedal. The brake started shaking and making a weird noise as if gears were moving/grinding. It was unlike the antilock brake SRS symptom. I immediately placed my car on park and stopped the car. Thank god that I had enough time/space between my car and the car in front of me: I had started stopping well ahead, as I usually do. When I stopped the car, the car behind me started honking: it was rush hour. When the car in front started moving, I started my car again and drove into the nearest parking lot. I started my car and drove in circles in the parking lot. It return to normal. I am afraid to drive my car now. I am a 59 year old teacher / grandmother and would like to live a little while longer. I have not received my recall letter as promised. Will you please fix: (1) accelerator pedal, (2) brake pedal, (3) carpet problem. Please know that as an american, I am likewise concerned for toyota's financial losses and hope that you are able to fair well. " approximately 3 days later (I have the paperwork), toyota called and I went in that day to have it fixed. They stated that my toyota camry did not have the problem because it was made in japan. They worked on it anyway and stated that they had changed the computer to bypass the accelerator pedal. I still am fearful. Please help me make sure it is fixed completely. Thank you

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · 57,000 miles · CA

I bought a new 2008 toyota camry in nov 2007, at around 50k miles I heard a grinding noise while driving and experienced vibration in the steering wheel . I brought it into the dealer and they noted the strut needed to be replaced. Not soon after that repair @ around 80k miles I experienced the same noise and vibration in the wheel again and I took it to a les schwab auto shop they linked the problem to the struts and wheel bearings which caused uneven tire wear. As the car was still under warranty I took it to the dealer again, they agreed with the assessment from les schwab and replaced the struts again and the wheel bearing. The dealer agreed that I should not be replacing the struts as often as I was on a relatively new vehicle. Dealer mentioned that it is a defect and toyota (the corporation) is aware of it and that I should be getting a letter in the mail to that effect. To date ( 2/26/10) I have received no such letter. The concern is that the federal safety agency has not yet gotten to the bottom of all the defects that are out there with the camry models for the years that are now being recalled for accelerator issues. With the recent recall I had to bring my camry in to get the gas pedal shortened and to install the shimmy to prevent the sudden acceleration. Please look into the issue with the struts as the strut housing serves as a structural part of the suspension system and it connects the upper strut bearing to the lower ball joint so that the entire assembly can then pivot when the steering wheel is turned. Struts therefore affects the driver's ability to steer and maneuver the vehicle safely, I now see that the corolla are being recalled for steering issues, I am concerned that this is not limited to only that model as my camry had issues with steering that was linked to defective struts. Struts should not wear out as often as mine did on a new car. For the safety of toyota drivers investigate how many vehicles from 2007 to 2010 have had issues with struts.