2008 Toyota Camry Steering Problems

Your car's power steering, traction control, and ABS warning lights came on when you started it, and your speedometer stopped working. The dealer found that your front wheel sensors had failed. Even after replacing the sensors, the problem continued. This happened at around 147,000 miles.

LOST POWER STEERING WHILE PARKING THE CAR, PS LIGHT ALSO BECAME ON. THE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, BUT WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE PARKING JOB AS THE CAR WAS ALMOST IN PARKING POSITION. CALLED AAA AND TOWED THE CAR HOME (2PM, NO DEALER WAS OPEN) AND LATER DROVE TO A NEARBY DEALER (THE AAA DRIVER TOLD ME HOW TO HANDLE THE STEERING). THE INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC BY THE DEALER (STEVENS CREEK TOYOTA, SAN JOSE, CA) IS AN ECU FAILURE. DEALER TOLD ME THAT WE WERE LUCK AS IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WAS LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE PARKING THE CAR. IF IT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY, IT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE CRASH FOR SURE. CAR IS 2008 CAMRY HYBRID, 105K MILE. WELL MAINTAINED, ALL MAINTENANCE WORK WERE DONE BY TOYOTA DEALER. WHAT MADE ME EXTREMELY CONCERNED IS THAT THIS CAR HAS A HISTORY OF CRITICAL SAFETY FUNCTION FAILURE IN THE PAST. 1) DRIVER SIDE WINDER SWITCH WAS OVERHEATED AND GENERATED A LOT OF SMOKES. DEALER SAID THE SWITCH HAS A DEFECT, AND I BELIEVE IT LED TO A RECALL LATER. 2) DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WIPER STOPPED MOVING WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, LOST VISIBILITY IN SECONDS. DEALER SAID A DEFECT IN THE MOTOR CAUSE THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT SURE WHETHER IT LED TO A RECALL. 3) PS / ECU PROBLEM THAT MADE THE CAR HARD TO CONTROL. I THINK TOYOTA IS DOING EXTREMELY POOR ON THEIR CAR'S SAFETY. THE DEALER REPORT IS NOT DONE YET. I WILL UPDATE IT LATER THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND MEATY AND I'VE BEEN CALLING EVERY TOYOTA BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS A RECALL AND THEY BEEN TELLING ME THAT THEY CAN'T HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT 1,500$ I WILL GET ON CONTACT WITH THE TV NEWS AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH TOYOTA I REALLY LOVE TOYOTA BUT AT THIS POINT I'M REALLY UPSET WITH THIS.

AT ABOUT 62000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE RAC AND PINION NOW AGAIN AT ABOUT 130000 MILES IT NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN. MY 2001 CAMARY HAS 200000 MILES AND IS STILL ON THE ORGINAL RAC. THE RACS TOYOTA IS PUTING IN THE 2008 CAMERY ARE DEFECTIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HORN WOULD SOUND INDEPENDENTLY WHEN MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WESTCHESTER TOYOTA SALES, 2167 CENTRAL PARK AVE, YONKERS, NY, 10710) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKET WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG WERE PROPERLY INTACT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT FELT THAT HE WAS NOT AT FAULT AND A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000.

MY CAR HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER BUYING OFF THE LOT

SOUND CLICK CLICK WHEN TURNING STEER WHEEL ON LEFT OR RIGHT, IT HAPPENED 3.5 YEARS AGO

I PURCHASED A USED/CERTIFIED 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY IN 2012. I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN I KEPT HEARING A BUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE, AFTER HAVING THE TIRES AIR PRESSURE CHECKED THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE GONE. HOWEVER, LATER THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT, WHENEVER I DROVE ON A SIDE STREET, THE PULLING WAS NOT THERE ON THE FREEWAY. THINGS CHANGED ON THIS PAST SUNDAY, ON MY WAY TO TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN HOME FROM CHURCH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND THE CAR PULLED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND I DECIDED TO PULL OFF THE STREET, I WAS AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT MY GRANDCHILDREN IN ANY FURTHER DANGER. I HAD TO CALL MY DAUGHTER TO COME PICK US UP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IS STILL THERE, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE A/C EMITTED HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

LOSS OF CONTROL OR STABILITY DUE TO MULTIPLE PROBLEMS CREATED BY FAULTY AND WEAK INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE ELECTRIC ASSIST RACK AND PINION. THE FAULTY ELECTRIC ASSIST RACK AND PINION CAUSES UNDETECTABLE MICRO-VIBRATIONS THAT LEADS TO CHAFFING OF THE FRONT TIRES, IT ALSO LEADS TO UNEVEN TREAD WEAR TO THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRES WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF TRACTION AT ALL SPEEDS WITHOUT IMPLICATION OF THE WEAR. THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM DOES NOT COME TO YOUR ATTENTION WITH ANY WARNING OR IMPLICATIONS UNTIL THE INEVITABLE HAPPENS (WHICH COULD BE A FATAL ACCIDENT). WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR SUBURBAN STREET THAT ALLOWS SPEEDS IN ACCESS OF 45+MPH IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS AT THE HIGHEST RISK CAUSING A DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SWAYING OF THE TIRES BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY ELECTRIC ASSIST RACK AND PINION, CHAFFING OF THE TIRES, AND UNEVEN WEAR OF THE TIRES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAULT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU ARE AWARE OF HOW DANGEROUS IT CAN BE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKE PADS, THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT FINGERS. *TR

CAR FAILED VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A STEERING RACK LEAK AND TORN RACK BOOT. ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER.......UPDATED 01/12/15*BF *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SE ON 8/18/2012. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS EXCESSIVELY STICKY AND SHINY, SO MUCH SO THAT THE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. I THEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MATTER, BUT NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP HAD ANY ANSWERS AND THEIR ONLY SOLUTION TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WAS TO SUGGEST THAT I PURCHASE A DASHBOARD COVER. *TR

THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAMRY SE BEGAN TO CRYSTALLIZE AND BECAME STICKY TO THE TOUCH. IT IS NOW SO STICKY THAT THE LEAST TOUCH AND NICK PULLS THE VINYL RIGHT OFF. IT IS SO SHINY THAT IT GIVES OFF A REFLECTION WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING AS IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IS IN YOUR EYES. THE GLARE MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE YOUR JUDGMENT IS AFFECTED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE DEALER. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHERS WITH CAMRYS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

IN SUMMER OF 2013, POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED ON 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, TURN AND PARK BUT HAD TO BE DRIVEN, THOUGH UNSAFE TO DRIVE, FOR 3 DAYS WHILE PUMP WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED. IN THE WEEK BEFORE THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO BE BURNING OIL AND HAD TO BE REBUILT. DURING THIS SAME MONTH (AUGUST, 2013), THE GAS COVER COULD NOT BE OPENED TO REFILL THE GAS TANK WHILE OUT OF TOWN, REQUIRING A TEMPORARY CABLE FIX BY AN OUT-OF-TOWN DEALER. IN THE SUMMER OF 2014, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTUATOR FAILED, ALSO CAUSING LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER, TEMPERATURE AND TACHOMETER FUNCTIONS. ABS ACTUATOR PART WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED. THEN A WEEK LATER, THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MULTIPLE TIMES), LEAKING WHEN BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THESE ARE JUST THE MAJOR SAFETY FAILURES OF THIS 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY, WHICH HAS HAD OTHER PROBLEMS, PURCHASED NEW IN 2007 AND MAINTAINED BY THE SAME DEALER. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE OR RELIABLE TO DRIVE. *TR

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE STEERING. IT STARTED SWAYING AND HIT THE CEMENT BARRIER ON THE LEFT. THIS LOOKS LIKE A INTERNAL CAR FAILURE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR SINCE 2008 AND HAD BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. IT IS COMPLETELY UP TO DATE WITH THE MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGE ETC. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE 40 EAST, THE STEERING LOCKED AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. ULTIMATELY THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES WINDING UP IN THE MEDIAN FACING WEST. *TR

THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AND IMMEDIATE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS TRAVELING A CITY STREET IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (DEWEY BLVD). FORTUNATELY THE STREET IS FAIRLY LEVEL AND I WASN'T ON A HILL. I LOSS POWER TO THE BRAKE, STEERING AND EVERYTHING AS EVERYTHING WAS DEAD. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A CURB PUTTING ALL MY EFFORT TO STOP THE CAR. I TRIED STARTING AND MOVED ABOUT 10 FEET BEFORE EVERYTHING WENT DEAD AGAIN. I DID NOT MOVE IT FURTHER I CALLED FOR A TOW (AAA) AND THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO ALSO SAID THAT THIS ALTERNATOR WAS DEAD AND IT WAS REPLACED. I TOLD HIM WHERE IT HAPPENED AND HE SAID I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

WHEN PULLING INTO A GRAVEL PARKING SPACE AT LESS THAN 5MPH. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE, JUMPED A CONCRETE PARKING STOP, BECAME PARTIALLY AIRBORNE ON THE RIGHT SIDE , COMING DOWN IN A DEPRESSION AFTER 25 FT. BRAKE WAS FULLY DEPRESSED THROUGH EVENT. VISUAL INSPECTION AND MANUAL CHECK AFTER INCIDENT SHOWED NOTHING IMPEDING EITHER GAS PEDAL OR BRAKE. MATS FIRMLY ATTACHED. WE HAVE PHOTOS OF THE ACCELERATION TRACKS AND THE DITCH WHERE IT LANDED. DAMAGE TO FASCIA, BUMPER, AIR DAM. ALIGNMENT, POSSIBLE TIRE DAMAGE. EST. $800 - $1200. OUR COMPLAINT IS CAR SAT AT DEALER FOR 2 MONTHS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE OUTCOME WAS THAT NOTHING WAS RECORDED ON THE BLACK BOX AND VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTIONS ON A LIFT. THEREFORE EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUE TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING. RECOMMENDATION FROM BOTH CONSUMER REPORTS AND EDMUNDS IS A BRAKE OVERRIDE SHOULD BE INSTALLED. WHEN THIS WAS MENTIONED THEY SAID NO THE CAR DOESN'T NEED IT. ONE OF OUR COMPLAINTS IS TOYOTA MOTOR SALES U.S.A. TOOK 2 MONTHS TO RESOLVE THIS. THEY DIDN'T RETURN PHONE CALLS OR NOTIFY THE DEALER OF ANY RESULTS. DEALER STATED TOYOTA WOULDN'T LET THEM WORK ON THE CAR AND IT WAS LISTED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DURING THIS 2 MONTHS WE HAD TO RENT A CAR OUT OF POCKET (INSURANCE PAID 2 WEEKS). OVER $1000. BOTH MY WIFE AND I FEEL VERY LUCKY THIS INCIDENT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR NEXT TO A SOLID WALL. IF IT HAD THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE WE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED AND THE DAMAGE MUCH WORSE. DEALING WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND TOYOTA U.S.A. WAS FRUSTRATING AND POINTLESS. WE HAVE PICKED UP THE CAR AND ARE CONSIDERING TRADING IT IN BUT ARE SHOCKED TO FIND IN 2 YEARS IT HAS DEPRECATED BY $8000! THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE AND A MONETARY LOSS AS WELL. TO AT LEAST GET THE BRAKE OVERRIDE WOULD BE SOME SATISFACTION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED OF THIS FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TR

CHECK VSC SYSTEM WARNING AND BRAKE AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS LIGHTING UP ON DASHBOARD. DIFFICULTY BRAKING WITH LURCHING FORWARD WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. NEEDED TO PUMP ON BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. *TR

WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IT CAUSES DISTORTED MOVEMENT AND THE WHEEL IS DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT ALSO PRODUCES HARSH NOISE. THIS MAY CAUSE VEHICLE MANEUVERING PROBLEM AND MAY LEAD TO CRASHES. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A CERTIFIED WARRANTY. THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDED A GREASE KIT FOR THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. IF THEY REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT, IT WOULD BE COVERED. THEY ALSO STATED THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND I MAY HAVE TO DO A GREASE SERVICE AGAIN DOWN THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND ASKED THEM WHAT THEY THOUGHT AND THEY FOUND THAT THE 2007 HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT WITH AN UPDATED PART. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AS IT WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. I COMMUNICATED WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE LOCAL TOYOTA AND THEIR POSITION WAS FIRM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT UNDER WARRANTY TERMS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT CAUSE ANY ISSUES IF I DID NOT DO THE GREASE KIT SO I DID NOT HAVE THEM PROVIDE THE SERVICE. LONG STORY SHORT, IT SOUNDS LIKE MY 2008 (WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007) WAS ASSEMBLED WITH THE WRONG STEERING SHAFT PART BUT THEY HAVE CREATED A GREASE KIT TO AVOID HAVING TO REPLACE THIS UNDER WARRANTY. IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL ACTION I CAN TAKE TO HAVE TOYOTA PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE REMEDY TO THIS SUCH AS REPLACE IT WITH THE MORE UPDATED STEERING SHAFT? I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. HAVE A GREAT DAY! *TR

THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AND IT FEELS LOOSE. CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATES IT IS NOISY AND THERE IS PLAY INSIDE. RACK AND PINION NEEDS REPLACED FOR $2400. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES APPROX EVERY 20,000 MILES. TYPE AND MAKE OF TIRE DO NOT SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I HAVE ROTATED AND ALIGNED IT EVERY 5K MILES. TIRES GET WORN ON THE INSIDE VERY QUICKLY, NO ADJUSTMENT BY THE ALIGNMENT SHOPS SEEM TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 08 CAMRY IN 2010 AS A USED BUT CERTIFIED TOYOTA. I NOTICED RIGHT AWAY THAT THE CAR SEEMED OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I MENTIONED BEFORE WE CLOSED THE DEAL AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY THEY WOULD RE-ALIGN THE VEHICLE AT MY CONVENIENCE. LONG STORY SHORT, THE DEALER STOOD BEHIND THEIR WORD AND RE-ALIGNED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. NOTHING HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM! THE CAR CONSTANTLY PULLS, USUALLY TO THE LEFT BUT EVEN SOMETIMES TO THE RIGHT. IT'S LIKE THE STEERING HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. THE DEALER HAS CHALKED IT UP TO "SENSITIVE STEERING". I'VE PUT NEW TIRES AND NEW BRAKES ALL THE WAY AROUND THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE. IF I'D KNOWN THIS STEERING PROBLEM WAS GOING TO PERSIST I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS THE TRIANGLE WARNING SYMBOL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TEN DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

STEERING COLUMN MAKES KNOCKING/CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. SOUNDS LIKE IT'S COMING FROM INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. *TR

THUMBING SOUND WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. *TR

CLICKING/KNOCKING NOISE THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. MAY BE THE SAME INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM HAS PLAGUED OTHER TOYOTA MODELS. SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY BY TOYOTA THROUGH A RECALL. *JB

I HAVE A 2008 CAMRY THAT HAS STEERING ISSUES. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AND HARD TO CONTROL WITH SEVERE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH AND UP. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND TOLD "NOTHING IS WRONG" WITH THE CAR. I HAVE HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS RECENTLY AS WELL AS NEW TIRES. I CAN NOT GET HELP FROM ANYONE WITH THE ABOVE ISSUE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR LET ALONE PUTTING MY KIDS IN IT, HOWEVER I DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL ON THE 2008 CAMRYS. *TR

WHILE TURNING THE TOYOTA STEERING WHEEL, I CAN NOTICE A SEVERE CLICKING OR THUMPING SOUND FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IT APPEARS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION OR THE STRUTS. I TOOK MY TOYOTA TO GET IT CHECK OUT A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY INDICATED THE STRUTS WERE LEAKING. ONE STRUT WAS SEVERELY LEAKING SO THEY REPLACED IT. THE OTHER STRUT WAS ALSO LEAKING BUT NOT AS SEVERE SO IT WAS NOT REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE STEERING COLUMN HAS THE AFOREMENTIONED NOISE AND I KNOW, THROUGH INTERNET SEARCHES, THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. IT'S LIKELY A MASS DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS SEVERELY INJURED. MY WIFE USES THE CAR TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL SO I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. *TT

THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM OF THE 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SE SEEMS TO BE FAULTY. THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOOK VIOLENTLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN MY WIFE REACHED A SPEED OF 45MPH. THEN THE CAR DROVE INTO A DITCH. WHEN SHE PUSHED THE BRAKES, THE CAR TURNED OVER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED,BUT NONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SOLARA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE ROTATED. AFTER ROTATING THE TIRES THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN PULL TOWARDS THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ONE OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND SHE HAD TO ROTATE THE TIRES VERY OFTEN BECAUSE THEY WERE BEGINNING TO WEAR RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

DRIVING ON BACK ROAD LATE AT NIGHT-CAR SUDDENLY VERIED TO LEFT HITTING ONCOMING CAR-THEN GOING INTO DITCH-COULD NOT CONTROL MY CAR-WAS HAVING PROBLEMS PRIOR-AS CAR KEPT WANTING TO VEER TO RIGHT AND ACCELETOR SEEMED TO STICK FROM TIME TO TIME-CAR WAS TOTALED AND I SUFFERED FROM INJURIES.I WAS ONE MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURED. I ALWAYS FELT LIKE CAR HAD HANDLING PROBLEMS-BUT WITH TOYDA,S QUALITY REPUTATION DID NOT THINK IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I HAVE A NEW TOYDA-STILL HAS TENDANCY TO ACCILER ATE FROM TIME TO TIME UNEXPECTEDLY-NO ACCIDENTS OR CLOSE CALLS.

11 DAYS AGO THE MARINA TOYOTA DEALERSHIP PERFORMED BOTH TOYOTA RECALL REPAIRS ON MY 2008 CAMRY. ON MARCH 10, AROUND 0519 AM, I WAS STARTING TO PARK MY CAR AT THE GYM. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW INTO THE PARKING STALL. THE MOMENT THAT I APPLIED THE BRAKES; THE ENGINE STARTED TO RACE; THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD; THE BRAKES WERE USELESS IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE; AND I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A PARKED JEEP CHEROKE; THE JEEP INTURN COLLIDED WITH A PARKED SUBARU OUTBACK. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE ARE WAITING FOR TOYOTA'S TECHNICIANS TO EXAMINE THE CAR. I AM VERY THANKFUL TO GOD THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED IN THIS INCIDENT. HOWEVER, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT MY CAMRY IS UNSAFE AND I WILL NEVER DRIVE IT AGAIN. I HAVE WRITTEN THE VEHICLE OFF AS A TOTAL LOSS. SINCE I AM A JEHOVA WITNESS, I CANNOT SELL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEN I WOULD BE BLOOD-GUILTY IF ANYONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED BY THE VEHICLE. I AM A ELECTRICAL ENGINEER WITH A MASTERS DEGREE IN ELECTRONICS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS. I HAVE 32 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN SYSTEMATICALLY SOLVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (PARTICULARLY INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES). IN MY CASE, GIVEN THE SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF MULTIPLE SYSTEMS (ENGINE RPM CONTROL, BRAKING AND STEERING), THE CAUSE IS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL , NOT MECHANICAL. MY EXPERIENCE WITH COMPUTER CONTROLS STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT THE KEY HARDWARE INVOLVED IS THE ON-BOARD CPU. THEREFORE, IN MY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING OPINION, TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM.

I BOUGHT A NEW 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY IN NOV 2007, AT AROUND 50K MILES I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND EXPERIENCED VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL . I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY NOTED THE STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOT SOON AFTER THAT REPAIR @ AROUND 80K MILES I EXPERIENCED THE SAME NOISE AND VIBRATION IN THE WHEEL AGAIN AND I TOOK IT TO A LES SCHWAB AUTO SHOP THEY LINKED THE PROBLEM TO THE STRUTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH CAUSED UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. AS THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN, THEY AGREED WITH THE ASSESSMENT FROM LES SCHWAB AND REPLACED THE STRUTS AGAIN AND THE WHEEL BEARING. THE DEALER AGREED THAT I SHOULD NOT BE REPLACING THE STRUTS AS OFTEN AS I WAS ON A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE. DEALER MENTIONED THAT IT IS A DEFECT AND TOYOTA (THE CORPORATION) IS AWARE OF IT AND THAT I SHOULD BE GETTING A LETTER IN THE MAIL TO THAT EFFECT. TO DATE ( 2/26/10) I HAVE RECEIVED NO SUCH LETTER. THE CONCERN IS THAT NHTSA HAS NOT YET GOTTEN TO THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE DEFECTS THAT ARE OUT THERE WITH THE CAMRY MODELS FOR THE YEARS THAT ARE NOW BEING RECALLED FOR ACCELERATOR ISSUES. WITH THE RECENT RECALL I HAD TO BRING MY CAMRY IN TO GET THE GAS PEDAL SHORTENED AND TO INSTALL THE SHIMMY TO PREVENT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ISSUE WITH THE STRUTS AS THE STRUT HOUSING SERVES AS A STRUCTURAL PART OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND IT CONNECTS THE UPPER STRUT BEARING TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT SO THAT THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY CAN THEN PIVOT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. STRUTS THEREFORE AFFECTS THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STEER AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE SAFELY, I NOW SEE THAT THE COROLLA ARE BEING RECALLED FOR STEERING ISSUES, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS NOT LIMITED TO ONLY THAT MODEL AS MY CAMRY HAD ISSUES WITH STEERING THAT WAS LINKED TO DEFECTIVE STRUTS. STRUTS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT AS OFTEN AS MINE DID ON A NEW CAR. FOR THE SAFETY OF TOYOTA DRIVERS INVESTIGATE HOW MANY VEHICLES FROM 2007 TO 2010 HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH STRUTS. *TR

I AM WRITING TO YOU IN REGARDS TO MY 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SE. I HAVE NOTICE WHENEVER DRIVING ON A ROAD THAT IS NOT PAVED WELL THE SOMETHING UNDER MY VEHICLE CAUSES THE STEERING TO LOSE CONTROL. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT I HOLD ONTO MY STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY OR IT GOES OUT OF CONTROL WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR IS APART OF THE OTHER RECALL AND I PLAN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH THE DEALERSHIP BUT I THING THAT THIS IS ANOTHER THING GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LOOK AT. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. I AM AFRAID EVERYDAY I HAVE TO DRIVE IT. I WANT THEM TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS WELL. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. I AM SENDING THIS INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN MY VEHICLE JUST IN CASE THERE IS AN INCIDENT AND I AM LETTING THE GOVERNMENT KNOW SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS AS WELL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE INCLEMENT AND THE ROADS WERE WET WHEN THE CONSUUMER LOST CONTROL AND DID NOT RESPOND TO HER STEERING AT ALL. THE CONTACT CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE SHOULD CALL HIGHWAY PATROL TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS NO BLACK ICE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT DID CONTACT HIGHWAY PATROL WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO KNOWN REPORTS OF BLACK ICE ON THE FREEWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,870. UPDATED 04/16/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS LIGHT SNOW AND THE ROADS WERE WET. UPDATED 09/21/10

JUNE, 2009 MY 2008 CAMRY HYBRID VEERED ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC EVEN THOUGH I WAS HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL AND DID NOT STEER THE VEHICLE IN THAT DIRECTION. ALSO, ON THAT SAME TRIP, WHEN ENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL, MY 2008 CAMRY STARTED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY, I DISENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL IMMEDIATELY, AND PUSHED THEN RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL AND IT CORRECTED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 50-55 MPH. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE DRIVER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. THERE WAS EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AT HIGH TRAVELED SPEED RATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ROTATION OF THE TIRES. THE MALFUNCTIONS PROGRESSED WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

I PURCHASED A PRE OWNED 08 TOYOTA CAMRY THIS PAST SUMMER AND HAD NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING IN THAT IT OVER COMPENSATED WHEN MAKING A 90 DEGREE TURN. AT A CERTAIN ANGLE - FOR ME 90 DEGREES HARD LEFT - THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS INSTEAD OF COMING BACK TO "NEUTRAL" WHEN YOU LIFT YOUR HANDS. IF I LIFT MY HANDS SLIGHTLY OFF THE WHEEL AND REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS THE CAR WILL "TURN ITSELF" INTO MY GARAGE. A DRIVER EXPECTS THE WHEEL TO COME BACK AND "SLIDE THRU" YOUR HANDS TO NEUTRAL. IN THIS CASE IT DOES NOT COME TO NEUTRAL, YOU HAVE TO ACTIVELY "CORRECT " THE STEERING. IT ALSO SEEMS TO SPEED UP. MY 26 YEAR DAUGHTER COMMENTED THAT IT "TOOK HER BY SURPRISE" AND "TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO." I CALLED TOYOTA IN RESPONSE TO THE PEDAL RECALL AND WHILE ON THE PHONE ASKED THEM ABOUT THE STEERING. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SAID SHE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT AND COULD NOT ADDRESS IT. SHE TRANSFERRED ME AN I WAITED ON HOLD UNTIL I GAVE UP. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND DESCRIBED THIS PROBLEM. THEY KEPT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. PULLING OUT OF THE SERVICE BAY I REPLICATED IT - STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AND FOOT OFF THE GAS;CAR KEPT GOING BY ITSELF, HARD LEFT - ALMOST RUNNING OVER THREE OF THE TOYOTA STAFF . I HAD TO FIGHT THE CAR TO GET IT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THEY OBSERVED FOR THEMSELVES BUT JUST ASKED IF I WAS OK . TOYOTA HAS OVER ENGINEERED THEIR PRODUCT. THE STEERING PROBLEM IS ALSO ON THE CAMRY. *TR

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY AND HAVE HAD A FEW SERIOUS PROBLEMS THAT WERE NEVER RECOGNIZED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER WHICH I ALWAYS SERVICED THE CAR. THEY RANGE FROM SMALL TO SERIOUS. FRONT STRUTS SEEM TO BE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID, I ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING PROBLEM TO THE DEALER, THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND TOLD ME THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE STEERING ISSUE WAS VERY APPARENT, AND NOW HAS GOTTEN WORSE. WHEN CORNERING AT LOW OR HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR SEEMS TO SKIP, AND CONTROLLING THE CAR GETS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT, WHICH BECOMES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME. THERE WHERE SERVICE BULLETINS AVAILABLE FOR THESE ISSUES BUT YET MY CAR WAS NEVER REPAIRED. ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE NOTICED HAS BEEN WITH BRAKING, THE CAR WILL VIBRATE DRAMATICALLY ONCE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN CUT 5 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR HAS NEW TIRES AND HAS BEEN ALIGNED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS AS REQUESTED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER, YET THE STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, IN BACK OF MY MIND I FEEL LIKE SOMETHING SERIOUS MIGHT HAPPEN EVERY TIME I GET IN THIS CAR AND DRIVE IT. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR

MY 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY LE HAS A VIBRATION PROBLEM THAT OCCURS THROUGHOUT THE CAR AND IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE CAR HITS SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 - 55 MPH, PARTICULARLY GOING UPHILLS IN D. I TOOK IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NATURAL. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME, "THE CAR JUST HAS TO "SHAKE" SOMETIMES TO GET UP A HILL WHEN GOING AT SUCH LOW RPM'S." I DON'T BUY IT, AND I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHERS WHO HAVE SAID THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN THEIR CAMRY'S AS WELL (WWW.EDMUNDS.COM). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WILL CONSISTENTLY DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY REALIGNED THE VEHICLE TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DRIFTING WAS A COMMON CHARACTERISTIC FOR THE CAMRY AND SOLARA. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,208 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,308. UPDATED 09/15/09. *JB UPDATED 10/15/08 *BF UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB

LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN BRAND NEW 08 CAMRY HYBRID. *TR