1999 Toyota Camry

CONSUMERS VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES, SO CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS SAID TO CONSUMER THERE MAY BE A GEL SUBSTANCE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OCCURING FROM LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THERE WAS NOT ANY GEL BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REFUSES TO COMPLETE ANY ENGINE WORK UNTILL CONSUMER SHOWS PROOF OF MAINTENANCE FOR THIS VEHICLE. *JG

THE ENGINE HAS BEEN EMITTING A STRONG BURNING SMELL FOR ALMOST A MONTH. AFTER DRIVING, A HAVE A HEADACHE AND FEEL DIZZY FOR SEVERAL HOURS. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE DEALER CLAIMS HE REMOVED A PLASTIC BAG FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, BUT THE SMELL CONTINUES WITH THE SAME INTENSITY. THE SMELL EXISTS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING AND STANDING IN SEVERAL PLACES AT THE FRONT HOOD WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN YESTERDAY; THEY CLAIM PLASTIC IS STILL BURNING ITS WAY THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. NOT ACCEPTABLE.*AK

I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A USED "PROGRAMED CAR" IN FEBRUARY, 2000. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS DRIVEN JUST FINE UP UNTIL FEBRUARY 24, 2002. IT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO HAVE CLEAR LIQUID LIKE SMOKE EMIT FROM THE REAR EXHAUST PIPE. I HAD JUST FILLED THE CAR UP WITH GAS. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I HAD A "BLOWN HEAD GASKET". THIS IS VERY, VERY UNUSUAL FOR TOYOTAS. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS FOR OVER 16 YEARS NOW, AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF A PROBLEM IN A NEW CAR. AFTER MY MECHANIC HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OVER THE CAR, HE CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS INDEED THE "HEAD GASKET". I ASKED HIM WHAT WOULD CAUSE A "HEAD GASKET" TO GO OUT ON A FAIRLY NEW TOYOTA? I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY PROMPT WITH MY GENERAL UPKEEP ON MY CARS, REGULAR OIL CHANGES, TIRE ROTATIONS, AND OTHER NECESSARY FILTER CHANGES. MY MECHANIC SAID, IT'S A GOOD POSIBILITY THAT THE HEAD GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. HE ASKED ME TO CHECK WITH SOMEONE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON ANY 1999 TOYOTA CAMARYS. IS THIS THE TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT I CAN GET FROM YOU, OR DO I NEED TO CONTACT THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FOR TOYOTA? PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL ME YOU RESPONSE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.*AK

HAD I NOT GOTTEN MY FAMILY OUT OF THE CAR PROMTLY AND TAKEN ALL APPROPRIATE ACTIONS, THE RESULTS OF THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. FIRE INVESTIGATOR STATED OIL DRIPPED ONTO EXAHUST MANIFOLD AFTER EXPLOSION CAUSING FIRE. I WONDER, COULD A DRIP SHIELD HAVE PREVENT THE FIRE? I WAS FEATHERING THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW-UP. COULD THE COMBINATION OF FEATHERING AND HIGHER SPEED HAVE CAUSED AN CONTROL SITUATION THAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION? IT LOOKS LIKE THE PART FAILED IN A ROTATING PART OF THE ENGINE. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE PART FAILED IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION; WOULD THER HAVE BEEN ANY RISK TO PASSENGERS OR PEDESTRIANS?*AK