2009 Toyota Camry: broken coil spring

Filed Jan 5, 2017 · Suspension · 234,000 miles · IL

My wife and I have a 2009 toyota camry that receives scheduled maintenance. We had 234,000 miles, mostly highway miles, when we heard a clanging sound under the hood on the passenger side. The dealership did an inspection and found that both front coil springs were broken. They both had sections broken off on the larger end. The dealership showed me both broken off coiled ends, one in each hand while I was in the waiting room during the inspection process. The shocks were still in excellent shape with no leaking. We did not have this coil spring problem with our first 1995 camry even though we drove it 465,000 miles! We would have hit 500,000 if the car had not been rear ended. Our concern is with our mileage we entered a potential recall zone for the 2009 coil springs that other 2009 camry drivers may encounter with lower or similar mileage.

Filed Dec 22, 2015 · Suspension · 72,000 miles · NC

I noticed while driving on highways that my 09' camry with 72k miles seemed as if I didn't have good control - like it was floating all over the road, kind of like a boat. I also noticed a creaking noise coming from left front wheel well when going over road bumps at slow speed. I had recently purchased tires so I went to tire dealership for a diagnostic . To my disbelief I was informed that my front struts (left and right) were leaking and they recommend that I replace them. Dealer wanted way to much money for the replacement so I went with my personal mechanic. My mechanic replaced all four struts, said that the coil springs appeared to be ok. Afterwards I had an alignment and balance. Shortly thereafter I went on a long distance trip, and my car was driving like a nightmare! The car handling was worse, felt like there was no space between me and the road, and the creaking noise was worse. I took it to the dealership where I purchased for a diagnostic exam and they told me I needed the front(left and right) strut mounts replaced and quoted a price that was $200 less than I had paid for struts to be replaced. So I went back to my personal mechanic. He replaced front (left and right) strut mounts, and now the creaking noise is worse and the handling about the same - bad. Since I owned the car - brand new w/ 11 miles - I am own my 3rd set of tires and have to have it balanced and aligned 2 or more time a year. I called toyota company (12/22/2015) and asked if they would give me a discount at my local dealership for another diagnostic and repairs for the problem and they said no because there was no recall for the issue. I do not feel safe driving my car and am afraid that my car is going to have a catastrophic failure. Will never buy another toyota! Our government need to step up, do their jobs and implement auto recalls on all defective equipment.

Filed Sep 4, 2015 · Visibility · 110,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota camry. While operating the vehicle, the driver side sun visor fell down into the line of sight of the driver creating a visibility hazard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that a spring failed, which caused the failure. No further information was available. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2014 · Suspension · 68,000 miles · MA

While driving on 1/20/2014 I noticed a loud metal clanking noise coming from right front of the vehicle, the vehicle was also unstable to drive and it felt "rough" on 20/30 miles. I took the car to the toyota dealer on 1-27-2014 where I had purchased it brand new and where all the maintenance routine services had been done to date I was told that the rigth front coil spring was broken, the struts were leaking, the right front wheel bearings were defective and that I could not drive the car out of the lot because of safety concerns. The repairs costed me $2077.44. I immediately contacted the toyota manufacturer and was told that the car was outside warranty and there was nothing they could do for me. They gave me a case # 1402280082. I filed a complaint with the massachusetts attorney general's office and I am still awaiting mediation. Today, 4/15/2014 less than three months from the time that this problem occurred and I had all those repppppairs done, while driving the same car at 50-55 MPH the same rattling metal loud noise but only worse happened and the car became very unstable. My husband checked out the car and noticed that the coil spring on the driver front side is broken. I called the local toyota service department and made an appointment to bring the car in tomorrow, 4/16/2014 to be inspected. I have read similar complaints here on your website of over 50 similar complaints with fronts suspension on 2009 camry's. There needs to be a recall issued on these vehicles for these issues since it endangers people's lives. Please help! I am terrified to drive this car especially with my two grandchildren ages 2 months and 9 months. This should not be happening to a car with 68k miles that I paid over $26,000 for.by the way when the car had less than 30k miles on I had to replace all 4 tires because the dealer told me that the tires were worned out.

Filed Jul 23, 2013 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · PA

About a week ago I noticed and extremely loud rattling nose coming front the front suspension of my 2009 toyota camry. I explained the problem to my husband who has experience in car repairs. Upon inspecting my car he discovered that the front strut coil spring had broken. One complete bottom coil of the spring had sheared off and was lying inside the strut coil spring creating the loud rattle sound. By looking at the cross section of the coil breakage point it was very obvious there was a crack in the coil metal and from that point the breakage originated. Before this breakage happen I was scheduled for a recall bulletin that I received from toyota for the power window switch. Upon arriving at the dealership service dept the next day we explained the problem to them. They explained that since the car had reached 50,000 mile there was nothing that they could do except charge me $660 to replace both front strut springs. I declined their offer because they did not have the parts in stock and I felt this was a defect in the spring in the first place, why should I have to bear the cost of this defect? Later that day I contacted my local mechanic about the problem. After his inspection of the problem he recommended replacing both front strut assemblies not just the springs because of the excessive amount the struts were leaking. The good news is I now have new front struts at a cost of less that half of what toyota wanted just to replace the springs and a huge improvement in ride quality that my vehicle now exhibits. I have owned 6 toyota's in the previous years and ran them all to 200,000 plus miles and never had to replace a strut. I think we have an obvious problem with the newer generation toyota camry that needs to be addressed.

Filed Feb 14, 2013 · Suspension · 43,053 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, she heard a banging sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the front strut coil, coil springs, strut mount and, sway bar links would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 43,053.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Transmission · 27,456 miles · VA

Cnn is giving bad advice on toyota gas pedal problem I disagree with the advice provided by omar panjshiri, a certified toyota technician at the chantilly repair center in chantilly, virginia. According to the report, he stated that: "if the pedal is stuck in a depressed position, here is what the driver can do: (I) shift the transmission to neutral; (ii) turn off the ignition switch; and (iii) apply the brakes and pull over." mr. Panjshiri explained that with the engine cut off, "you will lose some power steering assist, but you will still be able to steer the vehicle to a safe stopping position." this is very bad advice. The transmission should not be shifted to neutral. If the pedal is stuck in a depressed position, the driver should turn off the ignition switch and apply the brakes. The driver should not shift the transmission into neutral. The transmission keeps the engine going, helping to slow down the car, and it keeps the power steering assist working. A few years ago the gas pedal return spring broke on my car while I was driving. I immediately turned off the ignition switch and applied the brakes. This response should be taught in driving classes.