21st Aug 2003, 20:15

I have a 1999 Avalon which also as the front strut on passenger side which tends to rattle on road irregularities. Mostly heard on local roads, but tends to go away on highway with smoother roads. My question to Toyota is if so many clients are complaining about this problem how come there is no recall on this issue. Toyota should address this issue.

8th Sep 2003, 13:34

I have a 1998 Toyota Camry that has developed the same strut mount noise as described in previous comments. The service manager at the local dealer said the Camry's are notorious for this noise. It appears that Camry's aren't the only vehicles with this problem. He also said that the replacement parts are designed to prevent this problem. I would be a very happy customer if Toyota would fix their design flaw in these cars.

2nd Oct 2003, 21:23

I am noticing the same problem of noise with 1997 Avalon. Noise is very noticeable on local roads. On freeways it is still there, but occassionally. I am planning on reporting to Toyota. Having changed the struts did not help. Further I noticed the trim used in the front is fading. This not the case with other cars, which are 1992.

I was surprised at Toyota quality in late 90"s and 2000.

Any comments.

21st Nov 2003, 16:37

I have a 1997 Toyota Avalon that over the last two years started to have a terrible noise that seemed to be in the rear. I had the rear struts replaced by a non-Toyota repairman. The noise was still there. I had Toyota replace the front struts. The noise is still there. Toyota says that it is the rear shocks. I had the repairman replace the rear struts and mounts. The noise is still there. Took it back to Toyota and Toyota said the new rear struts were not aligned properly. The repairman is confident that he mounted them properly, but says that he is aware of a problem with the Avalon. Toyota now says that they will replace the rear struts for $900.00 and guarantee the struts for the life of the car. I can't afford $900.00 after I have already paid to have both the front and rear struts replaced. The noise is still there and it sounds like my car is falling apart and it has new struts on the front and back. Has Toyota abandoned their loyal customers?

4th Dec 2003, 13:39

Let me add my voice to the chorus wanting Toyota to do something about this terrible rattle. Mine is a '98 Camry LE that started rattling on the front passenger side at about 50k miles. Now, at 60k, the car sounds like its going to fall apart at any moment from all the rattling. This car has also had to have the transmission replaced and the valve stem seals replaced (both under warranty, thankfully).

Don't believe I'll buy another Toyota...

5th Dec 2003, 06:40

Add me to the list of dissatisfied Camry owners that have the front end rattle. I bought the car used in August of 2001. Nice and hot in Florida that time of the year. It had 34,000 miles. When I drove it and checked it out, it was great. As soon as cold weather hit, it began to sound like my front end was going to fall off! This is my second Camry and probably my last since Toyota is doing nothing about the problem. Rattle seems too mild a word for this problem! All I want for Christmas is my rattle gone!!!

10th Dec 2003, 11:46

I was trying to search in the Internet "Camry 1997" "rattle noise" and I got here. After reading the comments, I clearly see I am not alone, many many are affected by this.

I bought a 1997 Camry (4cyl LE) on 01 Aug 2003. It had very low mileage (46K). I had checked with a mechanic, and no problems were detected. I test drove around noon time, and the car ran perfect. Within a few days I noticed that there is a rattle noise in the front (mostly passenger side), and it is more obvious when the car is cold, and on local roads. It is almost invisible on freeways and smoother roads.

Since many of you had different experience, and even after spending money changing struts, strut mounts etc.. I am afraid to make this move.

At this time, I am kind of used to the noise (I switch on radio), but I am not sure whether it is the right thing to do. Is it dangerous? Is it going to cause more problems in the future? I have already driven this car about 3K miles, and now it stands 49K. Did any of you get useful reply from Toyota?

13th Dec 2003, 10:12

I have a 1998 Camry (~70k miles) with the strut rattle problem... The suspension seems to perform OK so I don't suspect that the struts are bad. Has anyone one resolved this problem satisfactorily?

14th Dec 2003, 18:43

I too have the problem with my 1997 Camry. I bought it in warranty at 28K and noticed the same rattle in the right front. The Toyota service dept. said they could not find anything. After two visits the problem got better, but I found out that was because the weather was warmer. That Fall it started again (out of warranty). I now have had the car 4 years and it gets worse each winter.

16th Dec 2003, 10:11

1999 Avalon Rattle in front, I felt and heard this rattle. I took it to the Toyota dealer and told them that it was unacceptable for a two year old car to do this. He immediately told me that it was the material at the top of the strut mount. The material compresses over time creating a void or space allowing the strut to move.

It was fixed under warranty.

Gary.

16th Dec 2003, 20:16

I just purchased a 1998 Camry LE, 60K miles. It drove perfectly during the test drive (day-time, warm), and the mechanical check confirmed the car's integrity (mid-morning, warm). However, when I drive off in the morning (cold) over a moderately bumpy road, its sounds like there are a couple of gremlins standing on each front wheel assembly shaking ball-bearings in tin cans. This rattle is definitely temperature dependent and driving me insane. Any advice welcome.

Robert.

18th Dec 2003, 12:29

I forgot to add my name in the last comment. I am the one who wrote on "10th Dec 2003".

Reading all these comments, I feel that almost all of us have same or similar problem. This, probably, is only one some cars where they have used parts from the same lot. (This is only my guess).

And like some of you mentioned, all of us out of warranty are in trouble. Even if we spend some money, it is not sure that problem will be resolved. It depends on the skill of the mechanic to judge this problem and fix it.

I am going to write to Toyota with my VIN number today, and I will request their help. I would suggest all of you write to them and let them feel what we got from the so called "highly reliable, no repair toyota camry". If we get negative reply, we should try to publish this in many sites and let other know such problems do exist.

Overall let them feel that they are inferior to Honda in these matters.

Sam.