We bought a 2007 Toyota Camry in October 06 and have been experiencing low oil levels for the past 2 to 3 years. On a couple of occasions, the oil level has gotten so low that the oil light came on. We have been reporting the problem to two separate Toyota dealerships and they've asked me to return the car for oil checks after 1000 miles, which show a lost of over a quart of oil. Our Toyota dealership has been telling us that it is normal for the Camry to consume over a quart of oil after 1000 to 3,000 miles and there is no problem to fix. I have an extended warranty through Fidelity and a Service specialist by the name of Tony at Toyota of Orlando been giving me the run around about getting Fidelity to give them the go ahead to resolve the issue. He said that he has called Fidelity a couple of times to get authorization but they have not gotten back with him but will contact us when he gets the ok. It has been over two weeks since he said he has been trying to get the go ahead from Fidelity, so we decided to call Fidelity to find out why they were delaying giving the dealership the go ahead to fix the car, seeing that we have the Platinum place. Fidelity informed us that no one from Toyota of Orlando has ever contacted them at any time about our 2007 Camry. We then spoke with a service Manager by the name of Bryan and he has been giving me the same story about it is not unusual for the Camry to consume over a quart of oil between 1000 to 3000 miles, so there is nothing to fix. We have owned over 8 cars and has NEVER had this type of problem. I have spoken to several mechanics and they informed me that this problem should not be happening to a newer model car like ours. I need to know if there is anything we can do before hiring an attorney to address the issue.

 

You need to get a whole of the District Manager. Toyota knows whats going on, don't be fooled. They gave me a new short block. The problem is not normal know matter what the manual says. This is widespread, there is now way an engine should be consuming this amount of oil in between changes. Go through the the consumption test, diocument everything, then if the dealership refuses to address it go to the District manager.

 

mlangman

Can your share your experiences and methods to get Toyota to provide a new short block?

A few owners have had your success, the majority are left with the "it's normal" story.

ferroOO7.

Sounds like the run around, pass the buck, hope you will go away.

Might read the full posts at the link below to find out who Fidelity is:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/auto_.../fidelity.html

You might be better off taking mlangmans' advice then relying on the Fidelity for recourse.

 

One thing you should do is during the consumption test try to get the same technician each time and talk to him directly, in my case he was very helpful and eventually agreed after seeing the car 3 times within a few months that this was not normal. Make sure you are nice but firm, getting irate about it won't help. Ask to talk to the dealership manager and eventually escalate to district manager if you don't have any luck there.
In my case we had just purchased a certified vehicle from the dealership so they had that to deal with also. I don't care what the manual says dumping a quart of oil in every 1500 miles is absurd so play on their sense of reason, this should not be happening!

 

I bought a 2007 camry last summer with 77,000 miles on it. Ever since I got it i have to add at LEAST 2 quarts of oil between oil changes. I am very disappointed in the camry for this. I do not have an oil leak either. With the price of gas I don't like spending extra money on oil on top of it! Also, my camry does HORRIBLE in the snow and I try to avoid driving in it if at all possible and I have new decent tires. I am already considering trading it in for something different. Anyone have any suggestions for fixing these?

 

For snow, narrow snow tires are better able to sink into the snow and get traction, wide tires float on top.

For the oil consumption issue, suggest you read the previous posts for suggestions.

 

Been a while since ive posted but the car is still burning oil. My mom said the oil light came on again today and when i checked the oil there was almost nothing on the stick. Its at 32,000 miles now and still has another 1,000 to go before the next oil change. It took 2 and a half quarts to fill it back up. We brought it back to the dealer a second time a couple of months ago being they said to bring it back after 1,000 miles. They said it was a little low, but there was oil in it.

Who cares if there was some oil in it? A 2007 with 32,000 miles shouldn't burn any oil, so the amount shouldn't matter. My 99 Saturn with 96,000 miles doesn't burn a drop of oil and those cars are notorious for oil burning.

Anyway, they said they added dye to the oil to see where its leaking from. And yes, they still think the oil is leaking out and not burning. Were bringing the car back in on Saturday with the receipt for the 3 quarts we had to put in, in case they don't believe us that it was low again. If they still insist that the car is fine, were just gonna drive it till the next oil change without adding any, then bring it in with a knock if thats what it takes. After all, according to them its fine. They obviously just don't want to do the warranty work. Of course if it was out of warranty, the first day in they would of said it needed an engine.

 

I would not operate the engine without oil or with low oil as the dealer may state checking the oil and keeping up to correct amount is the operators responsibility. Then wash their hands completely of the issue and suggest a new engine at the owners expense.

I don't think this issue has yet made any impact on Toyota upper management. Toyota has apparently started addressing the issue of head bolt pull out on these engines. Perhaps it is just a matter of time.

 

I too am have major oil lose. wife got home said oil light was flickering. checked dip stick to show nothing on it. 66000 miles on it now. never a problem until now. i just drained the old oil and MAYBE 1-1/2 quarts in it. always a big toyota fan with a 99 solora, 03 corolla and the 07 camry. if toyota doesnt fess-up with a recall then i too will go to honda or nissan.

 

My mom said the oil light came on again today and when i checked the oil there was almost nothing on the stick. Its at 32,000 miles now and still has another 1,000 to go before the next oil change.