I purchased a Toyota Camry 2002 SE in December of 2001and discovered after driving to and from work during a snow storm 12/5/02 that the car was equiped without all season tires. I narrowly avoided several accidents that day, as did others I am sure. However, I discovered while speaking with the tire manufacturer(toyo) that the tires are considered "summer" tires and are not made for snow and/or ice. They stated the type of tire placed on the car is determined by the car manufacturer not toyo. I contacted the dealer as I am extremely concerned about other people purchasing Camry without knowing they need to purchase snow tires or all season tires. They apparently are not as concerned as I as they stated they would not debate on what I was told at the time of the sale and the only thing they could do for me is to order replacement tires at a discount. I then proceeded to call the tire manufacturer back to express my concern and was told they would pay 75% of the cost of the same tire (toyo, J33, P21560R 16 94V), to replace the existing tires. They stated I could replace the tires with any make of my choice. It was their preference that I use a local company that sells toyo tires. I stopped to order replacement tires and found after inspection, the tires are bare down the center and are worn down to the wearbars. So not only am I driving, without knowledge, a car that does not have any type of tread for snow/ice I am driving with minimal tread. I understand the tires are high performance tires, however I do not feel they should have worn in the manner they did after 14000 miles. I have several concerns, one being with Toyota and the fact that the dealer or dealers are not informing the buyer of the need to purchase all season or snow tires at the time of the sale. How many consumers or innocent victims will be or have been injured in accidents due to this same issue. Secondly, the tire manufacturer for procuding what appears to me defective tires.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

On hwy car pulled left. After Canadian trip brought car to dealer who rotated tires & did alignment. Car still pulled left. Returned to dealer who rotated left fron tire. Car still pulled left. Brought to dealer 3rd. Time and shop foreman said it was "tire kineticism". dealer removed tire from rim, inverted tire, and remounted and balanced tire. Dealer test drove and said no more pull. When asked who would pay for future inverting of tire during 5 wheel rotation dealer could not answer. Spoke to Toyota reginal spervisor who test drove car and said right rear out of alignment. I requested Michelin tire upgrade and would split difference in cost with Toyota. Toyota said alignment and inverting tire would solve problem. Toyota never responded to query re: Who pays cost of re- inverting one tire and inverting another tire during rotation. I'm concerned for my safety & future rotation costs with these bridgestones. Want upgraded tire replacement & these tires sent back to Bridgestone for analysis. I also went to a Bridgestone dealer in framingham and they said they never heard of "kinteticism" and tire inverting to resolve alignment problem. I suspect a weak sidewall causing car to pull left and worry about safety. Request dot take prompt investigative action. So far total of 4 visits to dealer who has acknowleged the problem but denies it is a problem. In other words live with it.

- Natick, MA, USA

There is a bubble on outside of the left front tire. Original equipment, 10000 miles, mounted on a Toyota Camry 2002.*akthe dealer refused to replace the tire.

- Mayfield, KY, USA

Consumer states that tire was losing air and was damaged prior to purchase, the dealer only repaired it at consumers cost.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

The Camry SE model equipped with sport tires(Bridgestone turanza in this case) will not function in any level of snowfall. I have had easily over 10 incidents of not being able to stop the vehicle...more incidents of not being able to get started in ridiculously light snow conditions. I had an accident where I rear-ended a car while doing 10 mph because I completely lost any capability of stopping. I have had 5 other people drive the car and every one of them could not believe the lack of traction. My insurance agent owns a Camry le with completely different tires and claims the car is excellent in the snow. I called Toyota and they said that there are no other complaints on this...bull!!!...the dealer where I take this car for service said that there have been numerous complaints in regard to this SE situation but they can't do anything about it because it's a manufacturer / tire issue. They tell you to call Toyota only to have corporate tell you to get lost. I feel that you need to do something about this now!...there are many many SE owners having the same problem.. it is dangerous! somebody is going to get killed!...I now have 2 choices...spend $500 on new tires so my family can be safe or trade this in and take a huge monetary hit. How is it possible that Toyota is not required to test this car with these tires in snow conditions before putting people in harm's way? their service people admit that these tires are too hard and the car is too light....a recall should be mandated to have Toyota replace these tires now!

- Strongsville, OH, USA

Vehicle was equipped with tires direct from the factory, when driven in less than one inch of snow was virtually undriveable. Speed did not matter - 5mph or 40mph same affect - or lack there of. All indicator lights for skid control, ABS, traction control were actively flashing at all times - driving or braking. Car slide thru three intersections, while driver attempted to stop the car 1/2 block before intersection. Car also lacked acceleration, taking 20 seconds to complete a turn across a two lane road. Dealership was notified same day. They ran several tests per Toyota tech line on ABS/skid/traction system...later changed the tires and the most notable difference was made. It is amazing that no accidents occurred.Toyota should be required to swap tires for clients that have this issue. It is not safe for the driver, the others on the road and ultimately this is a terrible risk for Toyota. Please ensure Toyota and other car manufacturers are truly testing the vehicles and all features they sell so customers can have confidence in the safety of the vehicle they purchase. Airbags, traction, and ABS will only be effective if they work in conjunction with the other features of the car. This camryse that is affectedis not the only one affected.. please do whatever you can to ensure Toyota Corp. Addresses this issue in a timely manner. (tiresize: 215/60R16)

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA