The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that nothing was wrong with her vehicle when she took it to have an oil change. The mechanic performing the oil change stated that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that there was motor failure, however she states otherwise. The motor was replaced and now the vehicle shakes when started, sounds like a tractor, and she smells diesel fumes in the passenger compartment. The purchase date and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 14,000.

- Tuscon, AZ, USA

8/2003 bought car. At 75.000 miles, freeze plugs started to go. One after the other. Leaving me stranded many times. After we replaced the freeze plugs, 76.000 miles the car started dumping its coolant through the overflow tank.. could not get answers from phillips Toyota. Started loosing oil. The obd light has never come on. The car runs quite and smooth. Made several attempts to take care of this problem with the corporation, but they will not help. Also, the brakes have always made loud noises, and the cruise control has a mind of its own. Car has now, 130000 miles on it, and all I can do, is add water every 25 miles or so. None of the shops we have taken it to can tell us what the problem is. Can you help me please.

- Mascotte, FL, USA

The oil passage was too narrow, not letting oil into the crank shaft. This caused a rod to blow through the block, which caused the engine to fail and no longer to operate. Manufacturer was contacted by owner. Engine was replaced with a used motor, timing belt, water pump and cap rotor wires. Manufacturer was notified but did not do anything.

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

After purchasing the car in March 2002, all oil changes were performed by me. The previous owner is a friend, and I know the car was maintained very well (appearance of the car also reflects this). In early May 2003, with my wife driving, the car threw #1 piston rod through the block. The engine still had ample oil, and only had 1500 miles after an oil change (I change the oil between 3-4000 miles, religously). This is not the type of engine failure to expect from a well maintained car, and after pulling the motor out, I noticed sludge all over the oil pan, valve covers, and on various engine components.

- Oak Ridge, TN, USA

Original engine valve seals failed prematurely at 38K miles are were repaired by dealer under warranty. After another 40K miles the seals failed again. Dealer estimate for second prematuer valve seal repair is $1,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Complain I own a 1996 Toyota Camry that recently experienced an engine damage due to the build-up of oil sludge before 80,000 miles. My car has the same 2.2L 4 cylinder engine as their Camry 1997-2001 models, which Toyota agreed to cover the cost of repairing those engines. However, despite the fact that my car has the same engine and it was produced two months prior to that time frame, because it is in a 1996 model, Toyota has refused to cover the cost of repairing it. There is no disputing that the failure of thousands of these engines as a result of a build-up of oil sludge can be attributable only to the fact that these engines are defective. As such, it is absolutely outrageous that Toyota should take responsibility for the repair of some of these defective engines and not others. Thank you for your consideration.

- Norcross, GA, USA

Took Camry to dealer (world Toyota) discovered engine sludge problem, entire engine needs to be replaced, cannot re-build.. notified customer service twice at Toyota main office. Still have not resolved issue.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

Idle problem. Taken to mechanic twice. Have replaced isc valve at least once a year since 1996 (twice in 1997 and 1998), in the last year car has stalled when slowing down to complete engine shutdown in middle of roadway. Engine takes a few tries to start again.

- Sf, CA, USA

I have engine gelling that has led to engine damage severe enough that I will either need a new short block or new engine (according to Toyota). Even with all of the work that I have already had on the vehicle, the engine is not in proper running order and will take thousands of dollars to remedy the issue.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA

My 1996 Camry was recently diagnosed with a major sludge problem requiring a new engine after only 80,000 miles. The car has the same 2.2L 4 cylinder engine that has been shown to be susceptible to this sludge problem, but Toyota has refused to cover the cost of repairing my engine under the "'special policy" repair program that they implemented to address the problem with this engine. Toyota did not dispute that it was the same engine that has experienced this problem - instead, the ridiculous and totally illogical reason they gave was that their "'special policy" repair program was limited to the engines manufactured during an arbitrary time period and the engine in my Camry fell outside that period by two months. In other words, they are fixing some of these defective engines but not others.

- Mansfield, MA, USA

Took my car in to have the timing belt replaced and to find out what the cause of these problems were; car worked fine otherwise: Rattle ling noises coming from valve cover, engine consuming coolant, front engine seals leaking. Total cost for these repairs was $1992.42 got my car back from the dealer, four days later the car dies on the road. Car was towed back to dealer at their expense. Dealer found that the timing belt had skipped. They replaced the timing belt, declared car fixed and gave me the keys. I drove off and got as far as two blocks away from dealer before the car died again. This time the dealer said that the problem was due to engine gel. The dealer said the repairs would be covered by Toyota but only if I could show proof of oil changes receipts, which I provided. I'm now trying to recover a refund for the repairs that I previously paid for that were due to the engine gel problems.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Engine was running fine but was taking it in for 60K mile service. Toyota dealership informed me of a bad oil sludge problem and estimated the repairs to be $4500. I took it to another mechanic and he said that there was a chance the engine has not been damaged, but only a chance. I let him perform the work of cleaning the oil pan and running a couple of oil changes to clean the sludge. The engine seemed to be running fine, but now (January 2003) I am getting a lot of smoke from the exhaust and they tell me that something must have been damaged but they can't tell without taking the engine apart.

- Marietta, GA, USA

My car has 135,000 miles on it and I was recently noticing that it would run hard and not switch gears as smoothly as it once had. I took it in to a Toyota dealership to be evaluated and was told it had sludge in my engine probably due to infrequent oil changes I was then informed by the service advisor that it needed a new engine and that it would cost approximately $5000-$6000. I informed the advisor that I always had my oil changed as per the owner"S manual, and I requested a written estimate as to the exact details that formed the basis for this price quote. I was ultimately denied that information. The gentleman told me he would call me back and/or fax it to me, after which I received nothing. I called again, got his supervisor instead of the service advisor, and he explained that engine sludge was the diagnosis and that I could not get a written estimate because the exact parts needed could not be determined. He stated he would have to have someone look further into the engine's problem to give me the estimate in writing. I asked why this hadn't been done prior to the completion of the diagnosis that I ordered, and he then began stammering and informed me that he didn't have my file in front of him and he could call me back after looking into it further. He then proceeded to ask me if I was really willing to pay that much for an engine". when I asked what my other alternatives were, he offered to transfer me to a salesman! I never received any further phone calls. It has been my experience that if I am not willing to buy a new vehicle, the level of service I receive decreases dramatically. I have since taken my car to another independent shop to have it repaired, where I have been able to get an explanation both in writing and by the advisor in conversation as to what exactly is wrong and what exactly needs to be fixed.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

In approx June of 2002 my timing belt had to be replaced I now appear to have the oil gelling problem. Approx May 2003 I got out of the car to pump gas and the door will not open on the driver side. Approx August 2003 I began noticing if driving on the highway and I apply my brakes my whole car begins shaking.

- Topeka, KS, USA

Sludge bill up in the enginge

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

Oil sludged at 77,000 miles after careful maintenance every 3,000 - 4,000 miles. Engine flushed, valve cover gasket replaced, etc. (my cost) and continued maintenance, now 89,000 engine is blow while on trip with 80 year old mother 400 miles away from home

- Alton, IL, USA

I have always made regular oil changes, however, there is a definite oil sludge problem. Didn't realize I had any recourse, but after other friends and family had complained about their Camry, I did some research on the web, and low and behold I came across the exact problem many Toyota Camry have had.

- Clermont, FL, USA

Several problems:faulty interior lighting, power antenna, brake noise, faulty power windows, main rear seal leak

- Lenoir, NC, USA

Power steering failure on 1996 Toyota Camry. While driving, the consumer loss control of the vehicle which was due to failure of the power steering.. the timing belt and radiator hose were replaced.

- Waban, MA, USA

Upon starting vehicle at idle speed, the control valve sticks. This problem has been examined by dealership, and consumer has been told that this was normal. Brakes experience grinding, squeaking, and vibration, rotors were warped and brake pads were glazed, brakes have been replaced, however problem continues. Consumer states there is a suspension problem that is causing uneven tire wear. Vehicle experiences several engine related problems, motor mounts were weak causing steering wheel vibration, 16 valve seals came apart due to being installed incorrectly, water pump leaked, timing belt failed, valve cover leaked, and cam seal was replaced. Vehicle experienced transmission related problems, right outer axle boot was split and leaking grease, cv boots failed twice, shifter was hard and was making noises, dealer found the shifter lever plate was broken, transmission pan gasket was replaced, there was a clunking noise in the rear when going in reverse. The car jack was missing from the trunk and the antenna was inoperable. Dealer found an open circuit in the battery. Consumer noticed a rattling noise under the right front seat, dealer secured seat slide adjuster hook, temperature gauge did not work properly. Overdrive light was inoperable. Vehicle has experienced several fuel related problems, the egr valve assembly, egr modulator, idler control valve, idle air speed control, distributor O-ring, idler bearing, isc valve, and vacuum switching valve have all been replaced, blue smoke was coming out of the exhaust, dealer cleaned the throttle body, fuel injection, and recalibrated the fuel sensor, vehicle was running rough and stalling due to faulty egr vacuum modulator, dealer stated that the valve would default if there was too much oil added, the valve is too small so it will stick or become clogged up with carbon build up.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA