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Madia of Milledgeville, GA January 15, 2009

Madia of Milledgeville GA (01/15/09)
I have a 2002 Camry LE which I purchased used in 2006. My car began to make a sqealing noise and when I took it to the dealership due to the check engine light being on and the noise, they told me I had sludge in the engine and it would be about 6000 plus for a new engine to repair the problem. I was told it would be a matter of time before the engine locked up. Possible cause was said to be not getting scheduled oil changes, but I have been getting the oil change on a regular mile or month basis since I've had the car.

I was told that I need to purchase a new engine and in order to fix the sqeal problem I had the tensioner and some other parts worked on prior to taking it to the Toyota dealership and paid over 700 for that work.

Mike of Charlottesville, VA January 15, 2009

Mike of Charlottesville VA (01/15/09)
Our 2001 Toyota Camry developed the oil-gelling, as so many Camrys from that year did, and the dealership rebuilt the ruined engine at 32,000 miles. We continued to maintain the car/engine very closely to manufacturer's specifications, and last week when the engine started making a terrible noise, we had the car towed to a nearby Toyota dealership. The service technician informed me that the engine is finished and that for 5,600 they can install a used (72,000 miles) engine.

This 2001 Toyota Camry, with an engine that was rebuilt at 32,000 miles (at their expense, because they knew it was their fault), went another 52,000 miles before this rebuilt engine failed -- a broken rod and subsequent dislodged bearings which ultimately caused severe damage. We cannot afford to pay 5,600 for a car with a Kelly Blue Book value of 8,000, so we will donate the car to charity, and are now shopping for an American-made car. Shame on us for not buying American, all along! I don't think Toyota makes better cars, I think they're just better at covering up the unhappiness their products cause.

Amy of Fuquay Varina, NC January 13, 2009

Amy of Fuquay Varina NC (01/13/09)
I have a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. At around 50,000 miles in 2005, noise started to come from underneath the hood between speeds of 3000 - 3500 rpms. Took it to dealers and nobody could tell me the problem. In May 2007 at around 70,000 the noise became louder and dealer thought the noise was coming from the engine due to low engine oil.

In Dec 2007, took it to another dealer and he diagnosed the problem as a transmission bearing issue. Said it was a common problem and told me to drive it until it can 't go anymore because I would need the transmission replaced. A year later (Dec 2008) the transmission died. Took it to AAMCO to fix it and when we walked in there was another person there with a 2003 Celcia with ~60,000 miles complaining about transmission noise. Come to find out his transmission was toast as well.

Transmission completely shot. Cost me 3700.

Judith of Charlotte, NC January 10, 2009

Judith of Charlotte NC (01/10/09)
My 2001 Toyota Echo oil light came on so I checked the oil and it was full. The next day my engine light came on. The light stayed on until I turned off my engine and would reappear from time to time. When my car started making a loud clanking noise, I got concerned and was ready to take it to the dealer when it completely lost power. I had have it towed to the dealer. There the Svc Mgr tells me that because I did not maintain my vehicle properly and engine oil sludge occurred.

I provided my vehicle maintenance history proving my car was well maintained for over 5 years so why the oil sludge. They informed me that because I bought my car USED, the previous owner did not maintain the car properly. It was a used car that I bought in 2003; the car only had 29,700 miles on it. The Svc Mgr them tells me it will cost about 3000 to clean the entire engine and repair the damage.

The car is not drivable and I cannot afford to fix the car. I am still making car payments on the car (still owe 2970).

Rebecca of Rixeyville, VA January 9, 2009

Rebecca of Rixeyville VA (01/09/09)
I too have a vehicle with the engine sludge issue. In August of 2006 I searched long and hard for a toyota certified Sienna that I could afford. I drove quite a distance from home after finding the perfect vehicle online. It had 60,000+ miles. After driving it for about 2 weeks (1000 miles) a friend stopped me to inform me that the huge amount of smoke coming from the van needed to be checked out.

My local toyota dealer informed me that it needed a new engine. After being towed back to the dealer I purchased it from...they covered the sludge removal process which costed around 3000. 2 years and 60,000 miles later...my oil light comes on. I have a sludge problem and I need a new engine! I guess my story isn't as bad as most, being that they did pay for the sludge removal once, and I now have 143,000 but the van is not paid for and just like i needed a new engine two years ago...I need a new engine today. All this for trying to buy a reliable car that would last a long time!

This time around I was charged 600.00 for a glorified oil change, to buy some time. The service manager told me off the record to trade it quick before the light came back on! Stress and suffering of unimaginable proportions!

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