Nine problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1999 Toyota Camry. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On March 9, 2007 the Toyota Camry erupted into a fire during my normal driving. On Nov 28, 2006, I repaired my vehicle at Toyota authorized service statin, fitzgerald Toyota, m for changing water pump and timing belt. My odo meter reading was around 93. 213 miles and within 800 miles (close to 94100) the vehicle met with fire accident. Repeated letter Toyota corporation is being ignored and Toyota service station is yet to reply back my letter.
This complaint involves two vehicles; the first was with a 1992 Toyota Camry VIN#4t1sk11e2nu122194 purchase date: 7/16/1992 mileage at the time of the incident: 125394 in which the vehicle was idled in the consumers driveway and after two minutes a loud noise was heard along with smoke coming from under the hood; there was motor oil and metal pieces from the engine underneath the vehicle and at 91386k miles the timing belt was replaced; the second vehicle was a 1999 Toyota Camry; the vehicle stalled while being driven on the freeway at 60 mph, the vehicle was towed to the dealership and the consumer was informed that the water pump had frozen. The consumer requested reimbursement for repairs but the request was denied. A detailed description of problems (vehicle unspecified) : connecting rods#1 and #4 broke and punched holes in the side of the engine block, one of the connecting rods broke off at the piston as well as the crankshaft, the other connecting rod broke off of the crankshaft, but remained attached to the piston, piston #1 and #4 impacted into the cylinder head, when the connecting rods broke, parts of the engine punched a hole in the oil pan, allowing oil to leak out, it was noted that the left cv boots were torn, the broken connecting rod #1 caused the a/c compressor to be broken away from the engine and the a/c belt to be thrown free, and the extent of the damage was consistent with the engine turning at moderate or high speed at the time of the failure.
The consumer believed the brake problem the problem concerned abs pump. While driving the brakes failed. Every two-three months this problem occurred, at least twenty times. This problem first started in September 2001. The first documentation was for may of 2002. There have been several near accidents, but none as of yet. The dealer was unsure of the exact problem because they were unable to find it. They have told the consumer numbers possibilities, but still has not fixed the problem. Also, there was also a problem with the engine. They changed the timing belt because of engine noise. They told the consumer that there was a problem with the water pump and it was changed. The consumer had a report from the dealership. But, not all of the times that vehicle was taken to the dealer was included in the report. The consumer believed that engine problem was with the valve and the lifters.
While driving at approximately 65 mph going uphill on expressway, we heard a loud noise from the engine compartment, followed immediately by smoke and flame. By the time we go to the shoulder of the road, we had no brakes, no steering, nothing was working. Car was totally covered in smoke and flames were intense. Another vehicle stopped within seconds of our pulling over with a medium sized fire extinguisher. He proceeded to lay on his back and totally empty the extinguisher from under the car, which made no difference. By the time the fire trucks arrived (within 10 minutes), the entire engine compartment was totally burned. I notice that you have closed out pe02-079, but believe it to be related. The car is under investigation by state farm insurance. The car had a major service at 67,000 miles, including a timing belt replacement on July 24th, 2003. The car had approximately 70,000 miles at the time of the incident.
Blue exhaust smoke and odd engine noice during ignition. I took the car in to cobb county Toyota in kennesaw, GA. I took all of my maintenance records and some articles I'd printed out regarding oil gelling, in case they gave me any hassle. I told them I didn't want them to do a flush - he said that Toyota wouldn't allow them to do that anyhow, and that they would be taking it apart. He wouldn't even speculate whether or not it was gelling until they took it apart. As such, they wouldn't agree to pay for a rental car until they they confirmed it was gelling. They did take it apart and found that the gelling was limited to the head. Without asking for maintenance records (even though I'd had most of my oil changes done by 3rd parties), and completely free of cost to me, they cleaned the head, and replaced the valve stem seals, oil pump, pick-up screen, pvc valve, and valve cover. Runs smooth as the day I bought it now (though I did replace the timing belt as well, which I'm sure contributed slightly to the improvement). No rental car was necessary as they had it back to me by the end of the day (I'd taken it in the previous evening). Incidentally, I took it in 4 years to the day since I took delivery of it.
1999 Toyota Camry (VIN # 4t1bg22k6xu888461). July 7th ,2002 , the water pump failed and caused the camshaft belt (timing belt) and other belts and pulleys to be damaged. The standard Toyota water pump is warranted for 60 months or 60,000 miles. . Read more...
On 9/8/2001 I had the 30,000 mile maintenance performed on my 1999 Toyota Camry. On July 7,2002, the water pump failed and damaged the timing belt. I had to replace the water pump, timing(camshaft belt) , several additional belts, idler , tensioner and anti-freeze. Labor and parts totaled $710. 44. This is the 5th occurance of a water pump failing on a 1999 Toyota Camry with under 45,000 miles that was reported on this web site alone. The powertrain warranty covers the water pump for 60 months or 60,000 miles. I have sent a certified letter to Toyota , which they have received but have not received a response from them. The water pump should last more that 45,000 mile and with the number of failures that have occured, there is a trend that there is a problem with this part.
On 6-16-01, I was on my way home when my car suddenly lost power. I wasn't able to stop the vehicle. In order to stop it, I had to apply the emergency brake. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership where I purchased it from. It has been there ever since. I found out today that the water pump froze up on it and broke the timing belt. The salesman who sold me my car told me that he has heard of many owners of the Camry who have experienced the same problem that I'm experiencing. He told me that the car is pretty much unsafe, so I traded it in and bought a corolla today. I had no intention of trading in my car. I would like to know if toytoa knew about the failed water pump/timing belt in their Camrys'. And if so, why didn't they let the public know about how dangerous this could be? I leased my Camry and Toyota is making me pay for remainder of the lease. Therefore, I am paying two car notes. I would like for them to reimburse me for the money I lost in this deal.
Water pump burst and belt popped. Nlm.