Common to replace struts on a 1999 Toyota Camry with only 69,000 miles?

Question

Our Camry had to have the struts and support assemblies replaced at 69,000 miles because it was impossible to hold it on the road. The dealer charged $1050 to fix the problem. My old 1989 Ford truck never had struts or shocks replaced and it had over 150,000 miles. We also have a 1992 Toyota Corolla with 136,000 with original struts. This Camry has had more wierd things happen than any car we've ever owned. The miles on it are not hard--mostly open highway. Has anyone had similar experience with this make of car? We are cosidering changing brands this summer when we buy a new vehicle. I have spent countless hours at the Toyota dealership and private mechanic's garage with this car.

Answer 1

Toyota drivers really need some denial therapy. despite all the owners complaining about all the numerous problems , the toyota worshipers still think that they run for ever with zero money in repairs.

Answer 2

1999 Toyota Camry Struts

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Common to replace struts on a 1999 Toyota Camry with only 69,000 miles?
Our Camry had to have the struts and support assemblies replaced at 69,000 miles because it was impossible to hold it on the road. The dealer charged $1050 to fix the problem. My old 1989 Ford truck never had struts or shocks replaced and it had over 150,000 miles. We also have a 1992 Toyota...

Answer 4

My 1999 Camry is at 75,100 and I haven't had to replace the struts. I've put 23,000 miles on it in the last year, many of them bruising down mountain roads and hard curves. It might just be a problem with the certain struts on your individual car. Even on a Toyota, sometimes a part isn't quite perfect. Its simply the law of averages. As for if your strut problem is commonplace, I don't believe it is. I used to work at a Toyota dealership, so I went straight to the service managers and asked about any common problems with the car, and there wasn't much. The struts were not one of them. I would replace the struts and keep the camry. I have not had a single complaint out of my car in the last 25,000 miles (at 75,100 now).

Answer 5

Toyota Struts

Answer 6

Stick with the Toyota. Not only are they extremely reliable cars, they have minimal problems, but any car with any amount of mileage can and will contain some form of problem. I've noticed a lot of the later model toyotas like the camry and it's sister the avalon (1998-2002), have strut tower noise and that's due to the tops leaking. If it's not taken care of, they will eventually fail. But the key to not having to go that route is simple: take the vehicle slowly over speed bumps. If you get a noise from either end of the car that sounds like a rusty spring or close to it, likely you just need to get the tops redone, at a fraction of the cost it takes to replace the entire struts. It's a tactic I use frequently, as I'm a used car reconditioning manager at a major dealer (which includes toyota, scion, and lexus), and typically that takes care of the problem before it becomes a major issue.

Answer 7

Something else was wrong with the car if it was truly hard to keep on the road. Blown struts, even completely blown, typically do not cause problems like that except in hard cornering. If it's fixed, it's fixed. I'd let it be and not worry about it. I would, however, never take a car to a dealer for routine problems such as struts. They are a private mechanic just like every where else...the only difference is, they feel they can charge you extra money because they have the Toyota name attached to their company. Had you taken it to a reputable mechanic he would've told you that whatever the problem was, it was not just your struts.

My guess would be that the subframe assembly was loose, which would cause the struts to go out faster and definately make the car hard to control at times.

Answer 8

Highly unusual,but before giving up on this car,find an independent Toyota/Lexus shop in your area and let them check the car out for you.My dad has a 99 Camry,and has driven it maniacally for about 80,000 without any problems at all.

Answer 9

That does seem odd for such low miles. My experience is struts last about 100k miles and then get a little soft but don't make driving a real problem. At least you have great resale value towards a trade.

Answer 10

yep usually 50000-60000. camrys are the better of all the toyotas but they have problems like all cars do. Just shouldve went to someplace besides the dealer you'd gotten a better price and probably better shocks and struts.