Multiple problems with brakes over past four years.
Poor quality on suspension (i.e. always had ongoing rattling and noises)
Engine recently died at 157,000 kilometers.
Previously owned a 1990 Toyota Corolla which I had purchased new as well. I regret ever trading that vehicle in for the Camry. I had always heard raving reviews on the comfort and reliability of a Toyota Camry. Unfortunately, the vehicle which I purchased was nothing more than a headache and more recently a significant drain to my hard earned cash.
The engine died at 157,000 kilometers. When I had the cause explained to me by a mechanic, it was noted that there was no oil in the engine. Unfortunately no light indicator had given me an indication. I admit I was not religious about oil changes, but I would never exceed 12-15000 kms in a oil change. It seems kind of strange that my Corolla received the same neglect from me and still drove beautifully after 8 years and a higher reading on the odometer.
If your engine death was due to engine sludge, then you should have had the repairs done for free under Toyota's 8 year unlimited mileage warranty. This applies in Canada as well as U.S. It also covers incidental costs, such as rental car, associated with the repair.
I would just like to point out that the NHTSA investigated the "so called" engine sludge problem in the 1998 Toyota and found that it was not valid. The investigation was closed a few months later and can be accessed and read at this government website:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/
complain/complaintsearch.cfm.
Copy this and paste it into the browser, then, search the vehicle reports by year, make and model. Maybe this will clear up some of the wide-spread confusion.
The NHTSA closed the investigation of Toyota sludge because Toyota agreed to issue their extended warranty on engine sludge. It is an 8 year policy with unlimited mileage and Toyota agreed to fix engine problems due to sludge for free. Toyota says that owners must prove that they reasonably maintained their engine to have the policy honored. The policy covers the 4 cylinder Camry engine from 1997 - 2001 and the V-6 from 1997 - 2002. There are several resources for more information.
Go to http://www.autosafety.org where you can find copies of the policy as issued by Toyota and the letter they sent to the owners of the 3.3 million engines covered by the policy.
You can also go to http://autos.msn.com to see if your engine is one that is known for this problem. MSN rates the sludge problem as a significant problem in the affected Toyota engines.
http://www.yotarepair.com is another site you can check for information on Toyota and sludge problem.
IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH HOW TOYOTA HANDLED YOUR SLUDGE PROBLEM, CONTACT THE NHTSA (http://www.nhtsa.gov). THEY CLOSED THEIR INVESTIGATION BECAUSE TOYOTA COMMITTED TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WITH THE PROBLEM. NHTSA NEEDS TO KNOW IF TOYOTA IS NOT HONORING THEIR WORD!
It is so surprising seeing your neglect to changing oil on time! I don't think people have to be religious for that.
6:03 his comments were kilometres (that's metric in case you are unsure somehow)...so explain how is he exceeding the recommended oil change intervals?
Oil changes are supposed to be done every 5000kms, it is okay to go over this if you do mainly highway driving, if it is city driving, it should be done every 5000, not 12-15000.
Who ever changes oil every 5000km/3000miles nowadays with modern motor oils? Not a single manufacturer recommends this anymore. This is something of the past when motor oils were low quality and started sludging after a couple of months usage. Once a year/15000km is OK for most types of motor oils and some synthetics is even specified with a life span of 30000km.
Change the oil on time and you'll eliminate your problem. Don't blame Toyota. I love my 98 Camry, and I've got over 150,000 miles on it
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