Joe of Louisville, KY June 29, 2009

I have a 1997 Camry, the oil pressurs light came on and I believe I have an oil sludge problem. Do I have any recourse under the Toyota Sludge Agrement settlement? I have changed oil regulary as recommended by dealer. Cannot drive vechicle because I am concerned about damage to engin.

Jan of Columbia, MD June 3, 2009

I just bought a 1999 Toyota Solara with only 80,000 miles on it a little over 1 week ago from a friend. The first time I got in and drove it was June 2. I was taking it to get inspected so I could get it registered to me. We have still not even consummated the transfer of the vehicle. It seemed fine - then there was a clucking sound once or twice and it instantly went dead, stopped running. It was terrifying - no warning whatsoever! I was on an Interstate highway - the Baltimore Beltway, I-695 - and fortunately managed to coast it off to the left shoulder which was a lane or 2 away before it completely died.

Smoke was pouring out of the back and I am now on the shoulder between it and the jersey wall while 4 lanes of traffic whiz by me at 70 mph and on the other side of the jersey wall, 4 lanes whiz by me in the other direction. It was terrifying because any minute a car could have veered slightly onto the shoulder and hit the car or pushed it into me or hit me. I waited nearly an hour till AAA sent the tow truck.

Oil was all over the ground underneath the engine and a little trail of droplets behind the car where the oil had dripped out. A fire truck came and thought it could have burst into flames even. I could have been killed. Imagine if I had died in one of the lanes and not been able to coast to the shoulder! The auto repair place said the engine was blown completely and the oil was full of sludge. I paid 4000 for the car and now it will cost nearly 5000 if I want to repair it which makes no sense since the car is 10 years old even though it only has 80,000 miles.

I noticed in the packet I was given by the former owners a letter from Toyota talking about the oil gelling problem and looked online and saw all the blogs and other info about this oil gelling problem and the sludge and how these engines in all these Toyotas from 1998-2002 were blowing up/failing after 30-90,000 miles. And also how Toyota failed to admit it for years till the lawsuit and even then won't take care of people and looks for any opportunity to get out of covering the problem. It is appalling that this company gets away with this and that they are not accountable for the dangerous position into which they are putting people driving these cars.

Deborah of Clermont, FL June 20, 2009

I have a 2005 Toyota Camry. Today on my way to work, the oil indicator light came on. Shortly after (within minutes), the check engine light came on. I drove to a local business to have my car checked and the car stopped running as I pulled into the car repair place. I was told 2 hours later that my engine has sludge and that it's going to cost me 5100 to have the engine rebuilt.

The car repair manager also informed me that this has been an issue with Toyota engines (sludge build up) because of the way these engines are made. They tend to overheat in areas and that causes the oil to build up on the engine. This is a 2005 Toyota Camry. I have had regular oil changes. This is unacceptable. There is evidence that earlier model Toyotas had the same issue and a class action lawsuit was settled such that owners who had Toyotas between 1997 and 2002 had their engines rebuilt free of charge.

I have been reading a log about this tonight and apparently that are a lot of people out there going through the same thing. This is unacceptable. And, for Toyota to claim this is due to poor maintenance is ridiculous. Also, why didn't my check engine light come on sooner if there was an engine problem? Or, for that matter, why didn't the oil light indicator come on sooner. Within minutes of both lights coming on, I had a blown engine. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND THIS MUST STOP!!!! I am still making payments on this car and now I have to replace the engine?????

5100 for a repair to a 2005 Toyota Camry engine that has sludge as a result of poor engine manufacturing apparently. Not only is this going to kill me financially, I've been anxious and depressed all day knowing I have no choice but to try and come up with the money to repair this vehicle...and it's not my fault. Not to mention I'm going to be without a car for 2 weeks. It's a shame that Toyota won't own up to this problem. I too have heard wonderful things about Toyota. I've had 2 Toyotas but unless something is done to help with this issue, I will never buy another Toyota and I will tell everyone I know about this experience.

Kevin of Fresno , CA May 21, 2009

Engine failure to toyota sienna 1999, 115,000 milies oil sludge related, need to repair or fix car

Gai of Charleston , WV May 25, 2009

I'm another Toyota Avalon owner who's engine has burned-up this week with only 73,000 miles on it. I bought the car new in 2003 and have had regular maintenance performed on the car. There is something definitely wrong with the engineering of this car and as you all may know, Toyota has not acknowledged the issue. This exact same issue happened to previous Toyota's in the past but Toyota only recognizes this issue up to the 2002 model year. (And it took them years to do this)

Now I see many others with the same problem. Car engines haven't burned up like this since the 60s, and there's no reason for it today, especially with a top of the line TOYOTA. The dealership claims (as all cases do) that the engine had "gel" (sludge) that prevented it from getting enough lubrication. This issue has been going on for at least 6 years now with Toyota's. I think it's time for a Class Action lawsuit.

Mike of Flemington, NJ May 16, 2009

2006 Toyota Avalon with 88k miles had a major engine failure that caused a bearing in the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) section to explode and seize the engine. The car was being driven on the highway at the time of failure and no warning was indicated before the car stalled. Service bulletin from Toyota exists indicating a potential problem with oil flow to the VVT that can create a major failure. No recall though from Toyota has been issued. According to the service department, Toyota does not sell engines and the repair would be in excess of 13,000.00 in parts alone. Toyota is charging 500.00+ to troubleshoot the failure regardless if the repair is performed. My option is to find a used moor and have it shippped to toyota at my expense and they would install for2100.00. complained to toyota corporate in CA and opened a case number 0905111933 and was informed that the Regional Toyota Parts representative denied any support for the failure. Car has a balance of 9000 on a loan and no recourse but to have the vehicle repaired.

Elizabeth of Rancho Cordova, CA April 6, 2009

I had taken my car in for an odor coming in through the flow through vent. I was told later that day my engine has sludge. He told me there was a program for help with this paticular problem with Toyotas. He disclosed to me the next day I did not qualify because I have too may miles on my car and did not have completely accurate oil change records. I later decided to get a second opinion. From the second mechanic I was told I do not have sludge. Now I am confused as to whether I have sludge or not. I was also told my head gasket needs to be replaced, most likely due to the sludge issue. From what I have read about this issue, mileage is not a factor and perfect oil change records are not either. Is Toyota liable if I do have sludge and who can I trust to tell me the truth about it?

I was told by Toyota that the cost run me a minimum of 3500.00 to repair, unless there has been damage to the cylinders or engine block which would cost 8500.00 to replace my engine. As this time I have not had any damage to my knowledge, but being told this apparently I will soon. So what do I do now? I am a single parent and do not have the money repair or replace the motor and I am not able to afford a car payment to replace the car.

Cornelia of Philadelphia, PA March 29, 2009

Oil light came on/off for 1/2 hour intervals while driving. Before I could get it to a station, the car stopped while I was driving. It was towed to Central City Toyota, Phila. PA. Frank G, technician charged me 110 for a diagnostic. Then asked me for 600 more to have it opened for the Toyota Warrantee person to inspect because there was noticeable sludge. He stated that sludge is caused by poor maintenance.

So, the Warrany might not cover cost to replace the engine (7,500)and cost of towing and car rental. We had many discussions regarding the 600 for someone else to see. Later, I received a call from Frank that the claim was denied. No one requested copies of my maintenance record, first. I Never recieved anything from the Warranty Co. Toyota Motor Insurance Co. I am very disappointed in Toyota. It use to be the car of my choice. I don't believe I will ever purchse a Toyota, again.

Estimate: 7,500 to replace 1,500 Auto Rental 98 Towing, so far 120 Diagnostic Review 10 Taxi 15 Regional Rail Train TOTAL So far 9263.00

Michael of Brampton, ON March 20, 2009

I bought a 2000 Toyota Corolla in Sept. 2005 thinking it was a reliable vehicle. I have (since then) replaced the engine due to engine knocks, and noises. A few days ago, the engine once again blew on me. I have always serviced the vehicle with regular oil changes, brakes and tires etc, mostly at a Toyota dealership. I have read online that there are a lot of people with the same problem, and I believe I should receive some sort of reimbursement from Toyota Motor Corporation for failing to provide quality engines in their vehicles.

I was just forced to purchase another vehicle (a Honda) as I have no vehicle to get to work. Never again will I buy another Toyota seeing as they couldn't care less about the quality of their engines from 1998-2002 model vehicles. Is there any legal action I can take upon Toyota to get some sort of reimburesement? Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Jennifer of Mobile, AL March 9, 2009

We purchased our Certified Toyota 2000 Sienna in July 2004 and were told it had one previous owner. Not long after, the check engine light came on. We went to a local Autozone and found out that one of the O2 sensors was bad and there was an emmissions code that Autozone was not sure about. We then drove across the street to Palmers Toyota and asked their service department about the codes. They said the O2 sensor was not a major problem and did not have to be fixed in order for the car to operate. They said the emissions code was probably just a loose gas cap. I kept having the engine light checked but no other codes were ever discovered.

Then, November 2008, the engine started to blow smoke out of the tail pipe. Now the dealership says it is going to cost thousands of dollars to repair. Ironically, one of the warning signs of this oil gelling problem is the check engine light, yet I was never told that my vehicle was one of the ones that could have this problem. Springhill Toyota knew about the 8 year extended warranty that had been added to my vehicle when they sold it to me in 2004 yet they never disclosed this information to me.

Something needs to be done with Toyota Motor Corp. and the dealerships that sell their cars!!! Worst of all, they have insulted me by saying that my problem is due to lack of vehicle maintenance yet they will not even let me show them the copies of the oil changes. Toyota is doing nothing but giving the customer the run around!

Because of this, I have been without a vehicle for two months now and I have 4 young children to get to and from school. The cost of a new engine is 6,000. I will never buy a Toyota again (and we have owned four Toyotas in the last 15 years)!

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