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Toyota • Airbags • Engine Problems • Cruise Control • Cooling System • Safety • Toyota Motor Credit • Avalon • Echo • Prius • Scion • Tacoma • Tundra --- Reviews • 2007 Corolla • 2006 Prius • 2007 Camry --- News • Toyota Raises Prices, Prius Jumps $400 • Quality Auditor Charges Toyota Cover-Up • Toyota Agrees to Oil-Sludge Settlement • Toyota Camry Named "Car of the Year" • Software Glitch Slows Some 2007 Camrys • Is Toyota's Quality Slipping? • Toyota Delays U.S. Sales of New Corolla to Improve Quality • Facing Massive Recalls, Toyota Executives Promise to Do Better • Toyota Recalls Near 800,000 for July • Japanese Probe Recall Delay at Toyota • Toyota Builds More Efficient Gasoline Engines • Toyota Cuts Entry-Level Camry Price, Boosts Luxury Model • Toyota Dons NASCAR Racing Gear • Toyota Sludge

Elizabeth of Rancho Cordova CA (04/06/09)
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

Cornelia of Philadelphia PA (03/29/09)
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

Michael of Brampton ON (03/20/09)
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

Jennifer of Mobile AL (03/09/09)
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)!

Noreen of Wheaton, IL February 27, 2009

Noreen of Wheaton IL (02/27/09)
Add me to the list of very disappointed first-time/last-time Toyota owners. We bought a 2003 Avalon in August 2006 with 20,000 miles. We were told by our mechanic last weekend that there was sludge in the engine. We were told that even though it is a 2002 engine, it is not covered under the class action. We were further told that we could try talking to a Toyota dealer but that there was nothing Toyota was willing to do for us.

Told new engine would cost 4000. Mechanic advised junking it.

Robin of Mansfield, MA February 23, 2009

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