i bought a new 2003 toyota camry,my car now only 22,500 miles,?

Question

now when i turned the steering wheel on either side about one turn then i hear a noise from steering column. I have asked a mechanic shop who specialize in repair Japaneese car and after he turned the steering wheel he told me the coupling in steering column was a manufacter defected and that very common problem with the Toyota Camry 2002 to 2004 model.Because my car only 22,500 miles so he told me to call Toyota to find out if it still cover under warranty. I did call the Toyota and their anwers is my car is nolonger under warranty. I
brought my car to a Toyota dealer and after i told the noise of the steering wheel ,he immediately knew what parts is defected and quote me $ 550 for the repair even without turn the steering wheel or open the car hood.Does anyone own a 2003 Camry and has the same problem with my car? I think the Toyota must honor the repair for fixing the steering wheel if that parts they installed was a manufacter defected . Do you agree?

Answer 1

There is no recall on the 2002-2004 Camry steering shaft and yoke. They put out a service bulletin on it instead. Which means they know about the problem, but it doesn't present a safety issue. It also prevents them from having to recall the best selling car in America. The Prius was recalled for the same issue, but the shaft and yokes were actually seperating and you would lose your steering altogether. The Camry only creates a noise that can get annoying. You are out of your warranty period by time, even if not by mileage. Contacting the manufacturer really won't help much, and contacting an attorney is going to be useless. It is out of warranty period. Now the $550.00 on the other hand is a bit steep for this repair. I am a warranty claims adjuster and I think you should get a second opinion on the pricing. It is hard to point a manufacturing defect at a vehicle that is 4 years old. The noise is not a defect really, if there isn't any damage from lack of lubrication, it may quite possibly be an issue where they can lubricate the shaft and yoke. GM has a service bulletin out for the same issue and design as the Camry, and they are relubricating their intermediate shafts. Get a second opinion, but as far as any type of warranty on this vehicle from the manufacturer, I doubt they will help.

Answer 2

Your factory warranty is likely a 3 yr, 36,000 mile warranty, which ever comes first. Since it is now 2007, you are out of warranty by time, not miles. Manufacturers can't warranty parts for an unlimited amount of time, but some are more lenient than others. Do you take your car to the dealer for all the service work? Are you likely to buy another car from the same dealer? Did you buy the car at the dealer you want the service work done at ? Although these are not a direct factor in the manufacturer giving you a goodwill adjustment, the dealer will work harder to get Toyota to help you out if you can say yes to all of those questions.

If Toyota is still not willing to work with you, you should consider finding a manufacturer that is less interested in taking your money (out of the country) and more interested in making you a satisfied customer for your entire car-buying lifetime.

Recently the quality of GM, Ford, and Chrysler have improved VASTLY. (they had a long way to go, but mostly they're there) I know of many dealerships that work hard to keep customers happy, and will bend over backwards to get the manufacturer to warranty items that are not really covered anymore. GM, for example, has "empowered" it's dealers to give claim adjustments to loyal and deserving customers. If you have a history with any given dealer, they will want to keep you, and will do anything in their power to help you. It just depends on how much power they have.

Answer 3

GO on-line and find the toyota main office and tell them about your problem and that it should be fixed under the call back, and if it causes you to wreck or hurt someone maybe you they will be held responsable.
I have and still do own a toyota camry and there is not a better driving or handling car that will last as long as a toyota on the market for the price.
Some dealerships hope you are dumb about cars and they can charge you and turn the parts back into toyota and get a refund and make twice as much money,but not all of them are this way-so check around also.

Answer 4

I don't know about toyota honoring their defects or not, but as to your car problem is concerned, sounds like busted CV boot of your drive axles common problems cost about $120.00 per side at local garage depending on area you live in. Also another common problem with camrys are strut mount bearing have similar symtoms as you've mention (turn make noise?).

Answer 5

My brother had a similar problem with his Toyota and the dealer charged him $1700.00 for repairs. When he drove it home it still made the same noise.

Answer 6

have you checked the power steering fluid if it s low or empty fill it and that could solve the problem