2009 Toyota Camry: windshield wiper failure

Filed Aug 29, 2019 · Body, Visibility · 65,000 miles · CA

I purchased a new 2009 toyota camry se, after owning ten toyota vehicles since 1978. I still own four today! I have never experienced anything like this issue in another car. In 2014-2015 (estimated) my entire dash board became sticky, as if I had poured oil on it. Today it releases a thick sticky residue onto the front windshield when parked in the sun. This makes the dash impossible to wipe... As towels, sponges, even leaves, etc., get stuck to it (see pics). I can't drive my car without first wiping the inside of the windshield each time it is parked in the sun, or this residue makes it opaque (see pics...after wiping it). This situation is exacerbated when driving towards the sun (see pics) and is a safety issue!! I'm concerned how the deteriorated condition of my dash affects the deployment of the passenger airbag or if it still even operates correctly? On 8/16/19, I discovered that toyota extended its warranty to ten years from the original purchase date. Mine was 7/29/09...putting me only two weeks out of their 10-year warranty coverage. Toyota corporate and my dealership told me they could not offer any assistance in my case ("1 day or 1 mile over warranty and we won't help"). When challenged, toyota could not confirm letters were mailed to all affected owners, only that an effort was made to send letters to some owners in 2015. Multiple models over several years are involved. I spent 8 hours on the phone appealing their decision, without success. A new dashboard costs $2600.00 (installed)!! I reported this issue here because it is a manufacturing/safety issue resulting from toyota's use of sub par materials...like defective windshield wipers...if you can't see out of your windshield at freeways speeds because of the glare from your dashboard, or the residue stuck on your windshield...you are at risk of an accident. Please contact me if you have questions?

Filed May 30, 2019 · Body, Visibility · 198,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota camry. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting and becoming very sticky and shiny. The glare from the sun reflected onto the dashboard, which obstructed the contact's view. In addition, while driving in the rain with the windshield wipers activated, the water remained on the windshield and the contact was unable to view the road. The contact called antioch toyota (located at 1817 auto center dr, antioch, ca 94509, (925) 778-4800) and was informed that the warranty was expired and would not cover the repair. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 198,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2019 · 195,000 miles · OR · fire

My 2009 toyota camry le caught on fire friday jan 4 2018. I have no idea how it caught on fire. The only visible warning lights iilluminated was the windshield wiper light. No other warning lights active prior to fire.the vehicle was in motion at the time of the fire and was on a major highway in portland oregon. When the first started fire we saw sparks from under the hood and smoking and the vehicle started slowing down. Then the check engine lights etc started flashing on and off.

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Engine · FL

Oil change done june 22,2015. Went to local mechanic to check all fluids before drive to tampa. Oil level very low. Had oil added on august 22 ,2015. On october 27, 2015 I noticed a red light on left side of dashboard saying maint reqd.google says time for oil change. Sticker from toyato says next oil change 95,330 miles, im only 94,100 or close. Is there a recall. I contacted toyota customer service and was told that there was an oil problem, windshield wiper and sun visor problem, which I had not recognized the oil problem. I thought the dealership had just neglected to put the right amount of oil in doing the oil change. Prior to problem I received possible recall notice for something else . Campaign # id#15v577 reference # 878051. I will be calling toyota (autonation) in pinellas park about problem. The light comes on whenever I start up the engine and stays on for about 2 to 3 minutes while driving.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Body, Visibility · AL

My 2009 toyota camry's dashboard has melted. It has become a sticky, shiny mess. I tried to put reflective shades in the windshield to help slow the disintegration. Upon removing it to drive the car one afternoon shortly after I started using it, part of the vinyl was melted to the shield and ripped off the dashboard leaving the orange foam showing. The safety hazard comes from the shiny "puddles" of melted dash. They are incredibly reflective and can be blinding in sunlight. The glare is distracting while driving. I cannot lay anything on the dash to reduce the glare, because the vinyl will adhere to it and peel away like it did with the sun shield. While it has not yet caused an accident for me, I can see where it may have for others. As the cars age further, more of the dash will become melted. Eventually, tens of thousands of people are going to be on the road with the equivalent of a spotlight blinding them when the sun is shining. Hopefully, a safety solution will be had before then. Another problem this vehicle has had since I bought it new, the windshield does not have good clarity when driving in the rain. I have cleaned it so many ways and replaced the wiper arms, but it has a smear, or film, that makes it highly difficult to see through in wet conditions.

Filed Nov 23, 2013 · Visibility · CA

The first incident was while I was driving on the freeway, it started raining so I turned on the wipers, they worked. The rain slowed and I turned the wipers off. When it started to rain harder again I turned the wiper switch back to on- the wipers would not work. We've had toyota check them out only to be told there isn't a problem. Yesterday, nov. 22, 2013 as I was driving to work, it began to rain. I turned the switch on, and the wipers would work only intermittently, then they quit working altogether. Today, while driving to the grocery store it began to rain again- the same thing happened but now the wipers won't come on at all! This is a huge safety factor!

Filed Sep 2, 2011 · Visibility · 37,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota camry. The contact stated that the windshield wiper blower failed while driving in rainy weather. The dealer denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle and the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 37,100.

Filed Apr 26, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 18,000 miles · OH · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 toyota camry. While driving 25 MPH over railroad tracks the vehicle accelerated resulting in a crash. The contact did not report any injuries. The contact applied the brakes until the brake pedal touched the floorboard; however, the vehicle did not stop. When the steering wheel locked, the windshield wipers began to function. The vehicle was taken to an authorized toyota dealer to be repaired for the body damage but it was not examined for the cause of failure. The contact stated that a few months later the accelerator pedal recall was repaired; however, after the repair was performed the vehicle surged forward intermittently until the brakes were applied. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the brake system was repaired. The failure had not recurred but there was a rocking noise in the engine. The vehicle was taken to another authorized dealer who stated that the motor mount was cracked; yet, the vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage is 18,000. 5/10/2010 *cw the consumer stated the was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle upon acceleration and when making turns. Updated 06/24/10.