2006 Toyota Camry from North America - Comments

Lets see where do we start? The transmission had to reprogrammed and then went out.

Headlight switch.

Some exhaust sensor.

This car was not even comparable to my FORD TAURUS in comfort or reliability. I am BACK in to a TAURUS after only 6,000 miles. I bought the Camry based on what everyone was saying about Toyota reliabilty and well I only have one thing to say about that, BS!!! This car was junk and since then I have spoke to 3 or four people while I was in the Toyota service department that have experienced the same problems. This was a 2007 model, but was built in 06. I have since learned that Toyota disguises RECALLS as SERVICE BULLETINS and had more recalls in 2006 than they sold vehicles. WOW what a feeling...

Now I for one am sticking with a Ford. The best bang for your buck. In 145,000 miles on my 2000 Taurus I never did anything, but normal maintenance.

To Whom It May Concern,

It took me more than four years to buy a brand new car. I decided on the 2006 Camry. Boy was I in for a treat.

I bought it in March of 2006,and returned to the dealer after a long road trip within the first 5 months with a floor board (front and back) standing in water and spotted paint spots all over the car. It was vacuumed out, placed in front of two large fans and then returned to me still standing in water.

I was told by the service manager that it was possible that someones foot my have knocked the drain plug line for the AC loose under the dash on the passenger side, and as for the paint, well he brought a bottle of wax out and tried himself to remove the spots and suggested that I use a detailing shop that he knew.

I am a female, and I am also an ASE certified store manager of a local parts store in which I am aware that what this gentleman has done was to undermine me because for one, I am young and for two, I am a woman that he knew nothing about. I checked the Internet and it had the leakage problem listed as a service bulletin issue.

I had to take the car back because it still had not dried and you could smell the mildew odor and unknowing to the dealer, I peeped under a section of carpeting and saw what appeared to be mold. Again, they tried to dry the carpet.

At this time, they put me in a rental car (not a Camry or equivalent as I was told that Toyota done). I was called back a few days later and told the car was ready. I turned in the first rental car and went to inspect my car. It still was not dry and there was a large scratch in the back bumper that was not there prior to myself leaving the car. Yep, the service man ask me if it was already there or if I was saying someone there done it.

Finally, they called for another rental car because I refused to take it that way. So they kept mine there to replace the carpeting and to finally paint the spots that were reported before and the bumper.

I was put in a Ford Focus which the dealer rented, but I signed for. About a week after I had the Focus, I called the dealer to let them know that the gas door itself came unglued and flew off somewhere. The lever it attaches to was not damaged and you could still see the glue where it had came loose. I was told not to worry about it and at that time was asked if I'd like to be put in another Camry until my car was ready.

At this time, I had my children and a foster child that was in a car safety seat that had to be constantly moved from car to car, and I was tired of switching back and forth so I declined.

I visited the body shop to pick up my notary stamp from the car and saw an empty shell. Everything, seats, console, shifter, carpet, and even the hood was torn out of my Brand New car.

It was nearly a month before I got my car back and upon inspection, I noticed a few things again. There was more scratches than before, areas of the leather interior had rust marks on them were it was used to store the unassembled seating and molding and upon driving it, you can hear what sounds like something in the back window possibly the seating or speakers bumping up and down very hard at every pothole or bump in the road, as if that area was not secured properly when it was reinstalled.

The dealer did have someone get the rust spots out, but upon assumption, whomever this was seemed to have laid their tool on my shifter which left a cloudy mark within the plastic and the carpeting was loose which had bubbles in it, that I was told would eventually mold out to the flooring shape (this has not happened as of today). At this time, I heard a comment made that I didn't need to be so picky. Excuse me! I am the one paying $33,000 for this car in which it took me four years to save for.

Now, I am still having moisture problems with the windows continuing to fog, with or without the heat and air on, and as of turning in the second rental car, I am now after about two months being billed for the gas lid that I had no control over the glue not holding.

Again, water has leaked somehow around the window molding on the drivers door down into the speaker as well as down inside the window. I guess this is why the power window on that door sounds as if it is in a bind as it goes up or down.

Yes, I did call both salesman, and one of the dealers techs. who shops with me quite often has witnessed this issue as well.

Another problem! Someone cleaned and detailed this car before I got it and upon myself washing it for the first time, I noticed the dash panel and two of the BBS rims had been scratched up. I took it in before the moisture problem and they had the panel replaced and the rims resurfaced. Since I don't know who done this, I just ask what were they thinking when this happened? I know you can't resurface a rim and clear coat it with sand under the clear coat and not expect to have problems again. Guess what, the service manager told me that it would wash out when I wash it again. I'm a fool I guess. This is painted and clear coat sealed. Nothing is washing off except the brake dust.

I am assuming that upon removal of the dash panel, may be the reason why I am having electrical problems too. My wipers stopped working in the middle of the windshield along with the fresh air circulation button lighting, and the radio. I had to push the buttons a number of times to get this to stop.

At this time, I am very ticked off. My daughter has karate tournaments out of town and upon one of those days, at approx. 70 mph, we continue to hear and feel a flapping feeling and noise under the car. We have stopped and visually inspected under the car and couldn't find anything so we continue on our trip. I did however take the car for the oil change, tire rotation, and inspection at which time I personally asked the tech. if he noticed anything loose under the car and he told my no.

I can also feel the vehicle pulling to the side as if the wheels were not aligned properly, and there's surging at times. That's scary when you're traveling out of town and on the freeway at 70+ mph.

I have made several calls to the salesman that was trying his best to help me because of the way I was treated in service and now refuse to deal with. I called the gentleman and he went above and beyond his duty to try to help me, but now he has gone for a few weeks for army training. So, I called the actual salesman who sold me the car. He told me several different days that he would call me back and come get the car to have it checked over. I ended up going there to speak to the owner who at the time had stepped out to lunch. At this time, the service lady suggested that she could come pick it up on Friday the 12th of February as I worked. I am a salaried manager and work anywhere between 65 to 70 hours per week, and do not have time to visit the dealer every single day. Nor do I have the extra transportation needed in order to leave my car for several weeks at a time.

I am so frustrated with this dealership because other than the one salesman who has went above his call of duty, since the payment exchange of this vehicle, the consumer no longer matters. Due to the problems with this vehicle, I contacted the same salesman who respectfully assisted me in this matter to attempt to trade my vehicle in on a different vehicle. I was told that we could do that, but there was a slight problem. My vehicle had already been depreciated enough to where I had a negative equity on it. They offered to pay $19,000 of the pay off of $23,000.

The other problem is that my vehicle is fully loaded 2006 Special Edition with rear back up camera, heated seats, all power options, 5 CD changer, all leather, and so forth, but the vehicles that were offered to me for trade were all base models with no options at all due to them not getting another down payment, the negative equity, and my refusal of the payments to be increased. After all, my car was only 5 months old when all of this began and I didn't cause the problems of my vehicle, nor did I ask for this.

It took a long time for myself to decide and trust a dealership because of the field that I work in and what I see happening to the consumers on a regular basis. With that said, let me say, we the consumers are the ones who make these car dealers wealthy. We are their business and the word of mouth is damaging to that business especially when on a daily basis, because of the nice appearance of the vehicle, people ask questions about the vehicle as if they are interested themselves in making a purchase.

Finally, I have made inquiries on the lemon laws on vehicles and will be following up on it once again after I deliver the vehicle once again to this dealership.

I thank you for having this website to allow the consumer to vent and express their concerns.

Very sorry to hear about your problems understandably you bought the camry believing you would get a trouble free auto, but unfortunately everything is changing for the worst if you were a ruthless person you would get more respect what you need to do is keep on to the sales people and if no sucess get your daughter to teach them a lesson (ha ha)

All the auto manufacturers nowadays are gone way down in quality it seems that is just the world we are living in.

Having a number of friends who have really gotten burned with the Camry and Tundra, I don't recommend anyone spending any of their hard-earned money on any Japanese company's vehicles. Honda has had DISASTROUS problems with transmissions (including their pricey Acura lines). Toyota has had so many problems this year I've lost count. Most were major safety issues that could kill you.

I highly recommend the new Ford Fusion, the Pontiac G-6 or the Buick LaCrosse. All are very well built, very safe, and more reliable than Camry or Accord.

As for Volvo, my mom just got a new S60 2.5T and I DO NOT recommend it. The ride is very harsh, the interior very cramped (the console rubs your leg while driving), the power brakes are way too touchy and the power steering has no road feel at all. The Ford Fusion or Lincoln MKZ is a Rolls Royce in comparison.

Of all the cars in this size range that I've driven the Ford Fusion is the absolute BEST. It drives like a car costing twice as much, and Ford's reliabilty is world-class. We also own a Pontiac, and it is a great driving car that has never had a single problem either.

I'm very sorry to read of people getting bilked out of their money by Toyota. Hopefully enough people will speak up (as you have) to tip people off to the myth of "Toyota quality". Thank you for sharing your all-too-common story with us.

About four years ago a very good friend of ours fell for the Japanese car myth and bought a used Camry with almost 100,000 miles on it. At the time his wife was sick and they had very little money to spend on anything beyond the absolute necessities. Well, within just a couple of months they began to have really major problems with the Camry. Finally, after about 6 months the transmission went out and they were told that it would cost more to fix than the car was worth ($3500). They decided to junk the car and they bought a NINETEEN YEAR OLD Chevrolet with over 200,000 miles on it for $800. The Chevy served them flawlessly until they were able to buy a newer car recently. It grieves me to see so many people who work so hard for their money lose it on over-hyped, poorly built cars because of myths perpetrated by car companies.

Bad Camry is a rare Camry. There are SO many factors. Previous treatment being huge. Almost all pre-owned imports I've heard of that have failed were abused previously - buyer be ware!

To 00:57 and 07:19,

The story of the Camry is very much true. Sorry your heads are set for foreign cars, but as for the one I purchased, it's a piece of crap. That's whats wrong with our country now, everybody seems to think that foreign is better so there goes our jobs here. This vehicle changed my belief a long time ago. Just this past Friday, the dealer finally picked the car up to have those issues addressed. This car was brand new with only about 10 miles on it at purchase and as of Friday, I have approx. 8-10 work order receipts to prove that it's a pile of crap. Now at 12,000 miles, the dealer admits that the power window regulator has gone bad and has issued yet another work order. If either of you want a dependable vehicle, I'll let you have this one, but lets see who will stop to pick you up beside the road when another problem occurs. Then maybe you won't be so quick to assume that a story like this is so far fetched and unbelievable.

Having sat at my computer and watched my neighbor's nearly new Camry hauled away on a flatbed wrecker NUMEROUS times since they bought it, I have no problem believing the horror story of this review. We also have a good friend who fell for the Toyota myth and bought a Tundra a few years back. He has asked my wife on several occasions to give him a ride when it was in the shop for NUMEROUS repairs. We are more than happy to give him a lift in our flawless GMC or Pontiac, neither of which has ever had ONE SINGLE PROBLEM...EVER.

Toyota had legendary quality ten years ago, I know since there are a dozen nineties Toyotas in my neighbourhood and they have one common denominator, and that is that they have never seen the inside of a repair shop.

BUT: New Toyotas are not any better than other cars, it's just the price that's higher and they are not good buys anymore. I don't know what's happened, but they are simply not as good as they used to be. And I have this from many sources including people in my family and people from work with new Toyotas having all sorts of problems including abnormal oil usage and is in arbitration with Toyota for a buy back. After researching things I do not think my next car will be a Camry.

Re: 20.07.

THERE'S BEEN NO DROPOFF IN TOYOTA QUALITY! "SO THERE" Now that's a bold statement, obviously meant to deter those of us who know otherwise and who can think for ourselves. Kind of Childish don't you think!

Here's a point, Toyota has set a record! They're the number one manufacturer with the most amount of recalls "ever" in one year. Fifteen different safety and reliability recalls worldwide affecting more than eight million vehicles. I'm impressed, Toyota Quality! Wow, kinda reminds me of Ford but no, Toyota is the KING. I think Toyota should provide a "Recall Manual" with each new car instead of an owners manual.

Before making anymore knuckle head comments, why not do some research, maybe then you'll know the unbiased truth.

But once the recall is done the car will not have any more problems. I think that's how I would sum it up. At least after the recalls are done you will still have a Toyota engine and a well built car. As for someone having CV boots wrecked at 40,000 miles it could have been bad driving... hitting curbs, etc... my Accord has 200,000 miles on the CV and just now do they have to be replaced. I am happy that the past posters did not mention the Avalon. My uncle has 260,000 + miles on his and has not had problems until now. My aunt had a '96 Corolla and not until 200,000 miles did it need an oil seal (1000 bucks)...yeah maybe I am a little disappointed that it went out that early, but once you drive a GM 3800 (my opinion GM's most reliable engine) you'll find out that the manifold gasket will nickle and dime you.

15:18

Why

Yes I've been in a Toyota. I drove one home about a hour ago. Still not falling apart and being towed to the mechanic or breaking down and stranding me anywhere. Nope this myth you people keep talking about... Hmm.. sorry still no oil sludging on my 3.0 v-6 still waiting after 190k...You see it go both ways. I guess a Camry can be reliable after 10 years.

So 2/ 425,000 Camry's had an actual airbag failure and then a recall ensued... I think people get on here and like to rike on Toyota because they are supposed to be Godly vehicles that fly and never need oil changes!!

I'm a longshoreman for the port of vancouver, and today I was assigned a toyota auto ship. I got to drive the new fj cruiser, 4-runners, lexus is350's, the prius, and the camry. I must say that their quality has greatly declined, I can already tell.

When I was driving one of the camry's down and out of the auto ship, it died on me. it simply quit. I slowed to a very jerky stop and called for assistance. the engine was not responding. all the electricals worked, but the engine showed no sign of life. while I waited for my assistance, I took time to study the inside, and I must say it wasnt pretty. hard, cheapness everywhere and in definate monotone.

Yes, toyota quality is definatly an oximoron. a brand new car with only 2 miles on it, dies before it hits the dealer.

I also noticed that across the way, a prius was stopped. apparently his engine just raced and he didn't move.

Two brand new vehicles off the same lot is NOT acceptable for ANY company, especially toyota, who built its reputation on providing reliable vehicles. nowadays that's all gone and they build crap cars.

Need I also mention that out of the countless domestic ships that've come in, not one of them has had any problems. and my ship wasnt the only one, either. within the past 4 months, 7 toyota ships have come in, and 4 of them had at least one problematic car.

I'm sorry folks, but your little toyota hype is pure fantasy.

I own two toyota camrys a 2002 and 2006 neither have I had any problems with. good gas mileage no powertrain problems no engine problems or no electrical problems. I have owned a 1992 toyota paseo and that car was bullet proof. my best friend had a 2006 toyota camry and it saved her life and the wreck was so bad that she had to be life flighted out. if she had been another car she would have surely died. they now have a 2007 camry. I will buy a toyota for almost any car I have. The repair costs and maintenance costs are also much lower.

A co-worker of mine had a 1999 Camry whose starter caught fire. The Camry also had a transmission leak that allowed the flaming starter to erupt into a VERY scary situation! The fire was contained by the FD, and luckily no one was hurt. This could have been a major lawsuit with Toyota!

I would also like to mention seeing an older model Toyota RAV 4 that caught fire the same way as the above mentioned Camry. I was parked about 12 cars down from the flaming RAV 4.

I remain skeptical about the bias automotive press. Their puffery on Japanese and European vechiles can be debunked at times. I'm not saying they're all bad, but over-rated indeed.