Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Toyota
Toyota Models:
Toyota Problems
Check Engine Light Due to Failed Oxygen Sensor
The Check Engine Light may illuminate because a component of the oxygen sensor stops working. As a result the engine computer is unable to determine the proper ratio of air to fuel for the engine. Replacing the failed oxygen sensor should correct this concern.
Problem With Door Mechanism in Electric Sliding Doors
Models with electric sliding doors can develop problems with the door mechanism. The cable in the door becomes frayed, which will damage the electric motor.
One or More Motor Mounts May Wear Out on Higher Mileage Vehicles
One or more motor mounts may wear out on cars with high mileage. This will put extra stress on the other mounts, and the faulty mount(s) should be replaced.
Ticking Noise From Exhaust Manifold
The V8 models can experience exhaust manifold failures. A leaking exhaust manifold will sound like an exhaust leak or an audible ticking noise from the engine compartment and will be especially pronounced when the engine is still cold.
Power Steering Leak From Pump and/or Hose
The power steering pump and power steering hoses tend to develop leaks, particularly in the V6 models.
Toyota Recalls (Recent)
Driver's Airbag May Not Deploy as Expected
Over time, vibration of the steering wheel while driving may damage the spiral cable assembly (clockspring). This is the electrical connection between the driver's airbag and the vehicle wiring harness. If damage occurs, the airbag warning lamp will illuminate and the driver's airbag may become deactivated. In the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not deploy as expected, increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly to correct this concern.
Toyota TacomaThe Side Curtain Airbags May Not Deploy
A propellant with an incorrect specification may have been used during assembly of the side curtain airbags. As a result, one or both side curtain airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash. Failure of a side curtain airbag will increase the risk of injury. Dealers will inspect and replace the side curtain airbag assembly as necessary to correct this concern.
Toyota RAV4Brake Light Switch May Fail
During assembly, the electrical contacts of the stop lamp switch may have been contaminated with silicone grease, causing increased electrical resistance in the switch. This could result in: Illumination of warning lamps; a no start condition; the shift lever may not shift from the Park position; and/or inoperative brake lights. Inoperative brake lights would fail to warn other drivers the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the brake light switch to correct this concern.
Toyota Camry, Toyota VenzaInformation on Tire Pressure Information Label May Be Incorrect
The tire information label contains inaccurate spare tire size and cold inflation pressure information. This could lead to improper spare tire use or replacement, which could result in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Gulf States Toyota will send each owner a corrected tire information label to correct this concern.
Toyota TacomaIncorrect Load Carrying Capacity Label
Gulf States Toyota is recalling 502 vehicles due to an incorrect load capacity label. An incorrect label could lead to vehicle overloading, resulting in tire failure and increasing the risk of a crash. Gulf States will provide a corrected label. Dealers install the correct label upon request.
Toyota TundraToyota Questions and Answers
I have an issue with my 1990 R-Runner. When I'm at about 50-65 mph and apply the brakes, the brake pedal goes all the way down & if i hold it steady it eventually comes back and then it breaks. ...
My front wheels vibrate a lot when I'm going over 70 mph. If the wheels are balanced correctly, what could it be?
My 1990 runner just idles when i hit the gas. i only have 115,000 miles on it. what could be the problem?
My 1990 runner blows alot white smoke when it gets hot. i just had my heads re-done. so i haven't blown a gasket. could it be my radiator or my hoses or what?
My toyota over heated slightly, one morning, I went out after letting it cool would not start. Found water in the nmber 5 & 6 cylinders. What would cause this and how can I fix it. Thank you
Toyota Owners' Stories
I know everyone has a gas mileage story too good to believe, but I am greatly pleased and I guess that is what really matters. I live in an Alaska town 306 miles from Anchorage on paved road. If I use the cruise control and drive about 60 mph--braking as little as possible since there are not many cars--I easily average 34-37 mpg. I have a friend with a hybid that seldom beats that! I have had no trouble and the car was new (reconstruced title at 245 miles), and I now have 70,000. I think that is pretty good, but I now need rear shocks and struts I guess for my studded winter tire on the left rear had a flat place scooped out in it when I changed this last month (April).
I bought my 02 Camry LE in 05 and it had about 52K miles on it. The previous owner had some scratches on the paint job but I made myself look past that and I'm glad I did. The car now has about 134K miles. I've replaced the brakes once, had to replace one of the catalytic converters (unfortunate that it is attached to the manifold!), had to realign the sunroof (tracking?) once, replace a tailight and license plate bulb, refinish the headlights (oxydation) just this week and my passenger's interior door handle is broken (literally). Aside from the catalytic converter, my only other MAJOR headache has been the front wheels. They're the standard 15" steel rims. I've had to replace them a few times as they are somehow getting bent and causing me to need new tires much more frequently than normal. Twice I've had blowouts after 20K miles, on 65K tires! I've had 3 alignments and the Toyota dealership that did the first two doesn't allow a warranty transfer...I now live 11 hours from that dealership and it's only been 6 months since my last alignment there. Oh, well. Oh, the very rear part of my headliner is beginning to loosen. I've been very happy with this car. Previously drove a Land Rover...take the Camry any time.
2007 Toyota Camry - Water pump failed at 55,000 miles.Got it repaired at my Mechanic. Had no idea it was covered under drive train warranty until 60,000 miles or 6 Years.
My Toyota dealer said he could not re-imburse me since I had the job done some place else.
I later called Toyota headquarters and explained the situation. Toyota was very cooperative on the issue. They sent me a check for $477.00 in 4 weeks time, after I sent in my claim and invoices.
2007 Camry - Not a good year for Toyota, but I am willing to take another chance with Toyota and buy a 2012 model.
Bought my first Echo, a used 2000, in 2009 with 202,000 on it and drove it to spring of 2011 when the 5 speed transmission locked up on it (232,000). It got consistently 43 mpg. Purchased my second, a 2002, in May 2011 with 125,000 on it. Runs just like the first but I get better mileage now, 44 - 48 mpg. Got 50 once on a 500 mile round trip from Cincinnati to Youngstown OH. Whole trip 70 mph with the AC on. If I drove this one slower 55 to 60 mph I'm pretty sure I could break the 50 mpg barrier. Oh, the first one I sold to my mechanic who dropped a rebuilt transmission in it and now it's back on the road for more. Great little car but lots of room for a 6'4" driver and one passenger, really don't use the complementary back seat. If you find one of these used buy it.
Overall my Solara is a champ. I can leave it running and no one can tell. That is how smooth it is. Passing on the highway is no problem, it will get you where you need to be in no time flat. My radio AM/FM/CD keeps cutting off and on. I also hear a loud squick when turning the steering wheel first thing in the morning, more so in the colder days. I have less than 50k miles. I had no problems with the radio until I took it in for a oil change just after we moved to this area. I wonder if they could of done something wrong and that is my problem? Other than those two things, the engine has no problems. I just now have to replace the tires right at 50k only by choice, being female don't want to be out there changing a tire. Hope I still have this Solara when my grandson drives.