THE CAMRY IS FIXED! But there's SO much more to the story... grab a coffee!

[@SpectralBloo]

Yes, I do believe a courtesy vehicle should be provided for any recall that will take more than a day to fix. Volkswagen, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz do this, from personal experience.

[@joshjamescars]

Yep! Lexus is great with that whenever I just take my GX in for service I get a loaner. And we’ve actually always gotten a loaner at Ford and Subaru too.

[@rtcurtis5858]

Back in 2000 I owned a Saturn S car. The dealers offered great customer warranty treatment. Always a loaner car, and efficient service data continuity within the dealer network. The factory bumper to bumper warranty was also a whopping 5Y/60K miles. Of course, the downside was the S car.

[@SpectralBloo]

@@rtcurtis5858 There is no doubt that customer service is a thing of the past. Even in banking, in the old days private banking customers would be made to feel special, today they're told to use their apps and online banking like the guys with the free accounts.

[@johnjames7712]

Toyota of Cedar Park is owned by the Idea Auto Group, which is a very small and new dealer group in Austin. Its owner, Julie Herrera, came from the Cavender Auto Group to open Toyota of Cedar Park, and they are investors in the ventures. Recently, Idea Auto Group opened a Subaru Dealer, and bought a Nissan Dealer. They also own an insurance company. I wonder if Julie Herrera is nickel and diming Toyota customers to finance her other business ventures? Sounds like it to me.

[@alexandercabrera9651]

That’s why I like Lexus they alway give me a loaner with no issues and at no cost.

[@joshjamescars]

Same here. Lexus is always great about that in my experience. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to buy one in the first place.

[@ronthomasjr8603]

There’s Round Rock Toyota that I used. I never been charged for a loaner for Toyota or Lexus……..yet.

[@joshjamescars]

We’ve gone there too… I should look into what their policy is.

[@bavardage]

Great to hear your car was fixed -- in spite of Toyota and your dealer, the Master Tech really came through! Did the work state engine timing had to be changed? If your engine uses a chain, then a faulty tensioner (and not necessarily timing) certainly would be a good reason for all of that 'clackety-clack' noise. Enjoy your 'new' new ride!

[@joshjamescars]

The engine was retimed because it’s part of Toyota’s established process, I believe. And I think it was both the tensioner itself and the fact that it wasn’t holding the right pressure it was causing things to fall out of line. But yes!!! Thank goodness and the car sounds and feels happier than it ever has before LOL!

[@ericwright1075]

If the car is recalled they should pay for a loaner . 🇨🇦👍👍

[@joshjamescars]

Agreed!!

[@rtcurtis5858]

If you don’t like dealing with the staunch Toyota dealer, you will love the “taking it to court” experience. 🤪 Too, sometimes one may have to deal with a conditional mandatory arbitration process.

[@joshjamescars]

As someone who’s filed claims and patents, in my experience, when you actually do your homework and have the paper trail, it’s a breeze! Also, I’ll be honest, sometimes taking something to court isn’t for the end result but to waste someone’s time the same way they have wasted mine.

[@knn85]

Josh, Great video but somehow wanting more detail on what was actually was wrong with your engine. It would be cool if you could reach out to The Car Care Nut” about your experience. He’s a former Toyota Master Care Tech and I’m thinking he would be more candid than the mechanic at the Toyota dealer.

[@joshjamescars]

What was wrong was the timing chain tensioner (part of the engine itself) was defective and not holding the correct pressure. The timing chain is what regulates the precise timing of the major components of the engine. That led to the engine gradually falling out of time over the 8 months we’ve owned it. Unfortunately, since that’s a defect in the engine as it shipped in the car from Kentucky, there’s not much more to the story that any of us would be able to tell with factual evidence. Anything AMD or anyone else would say would be speculation. To definitively know more we’d have to talk to whoever assembled our exact 2GR-FKS engines in Kentucky.

[@run4cover32]

My 2019 camry xse had a recall for some type of fuel injector issue in 2021 and I was given a brand new Toyota Avalon for two months no one ever spoke of paying anything, it was complementary.

[@joshjamescars]

That’s what I would expect! At $50/day Toyota of Cedar Park’s bill would be $3,000 just for the loaner. 🤣

[@Jay-Den_2612]

2025 Toyota Camry review ?

[@joshjamescars]

Yes! Coming up in a couple weeks!

[@jpdoc5722]

are those “timing belts” from Acura/Honda better than Lexus/Toyota timing chains then?

[@joshjamescars]

I wouldn’t say one is better than another (also if I mis-spoke, the 2GR-FKS uses a timing chain). This was likely a one-off freak failure based on the lack of reporting around it.

[@midiman5045]

Dealers are ruining Toyota and Lexus. Seriously. Corp needs to fix this. Any work under warranty you defiantly should get a FREE loaner car period. Toyota and Lexus comp the dears for them. Your dealer is double dipping and you should complain to corp becasue you have so many Toyota products. You don't need to hire and attorney in NY it's called a Lemon Law case. You might have it in Texas not sure.

[@joshjamescars]

That’s what my assumption is too (that Toyota is compensating them while they simultaneously charge the customer and so they’re making money coming and going). As for Texas, for the lemon law on a new vehicle, yes. But if a dealer tells you something is normal on a car and then later in life it has engine failure due to the issue, that’s not covered by lemon law but you can go after the dealer since you have the paper trail.

[@wonderboy1998]

Well... Not mad at this video being dropped in a nice Saturday.

[@AaronEbright]

Your frickin cool!LolLol

[@turkeclipse]

Good to know. I had a new 2006 IS350 and it seemed to have a similar issue as it aged. It didn't sound as bad. However when I traded it for a new 2015 IS350 I noticed it sounded the same even a bit worse like your Camry pretty much right away. In the back of my mind, I knew I should have them look at it but never did. I traded it last year for my GX. It had abou 65K miles. I drove it that long like that.. I think you should be fine in the long run. Glad you were able to get it fixed.

[@joshjamescars]

Yeah it’s so weird how these 2GR engines can all make different noises… and in the IS it’s tuned differently for more sporting performance as well. Also great choice on upgrading to the GX! I do love the IS (and especially the 2006 IS).

[@adrienchan2097]

Well, do u have Toyota extended warranty? Then call n ask

[@joshjamescars]

We don’t have the extended warranty (yet) because the car is brand new so it’s still well within the new car warranty.

[@linhunnicutt6556]

Glad you got it fixed. Our one local Toyota dealer will give a loaner for overnight repairs even if it's recall and our Lexus dealership does it as well. A good friend of mine had his 2015 RX 450 H did maintenance work on it and took two days, and he was given a loaner RX 350 luxury like 2022 and he was almost ready to trade his 2015 for the 2022 and said if it had been the hybrid he would have traded. Good courtesy from the dealership goes along way no matter what the corporate does.

[@joshjamescars]

Right!! I agree with what you say here. The Lexus dealer is fantastic, thankfully. It’s just our Toyota dealer that’s such a pain.

[@sampropane]

Great outcome.

[@CrazyGreek80]

Congratulations on getting your car fixed!

[@joshjamescars]

Thanks!!

[@justahumbledude]

Congrats on getting it addressed. Dealers do ruin the experience. It's sad.

[@joshjamescars]

Thanks! And they really do. 🙄

[@TEQLC]

Great news!! You had me dying at a 1:30 ish. It also brings me great joy. lol ;)

[@joshjamescars]

Hahaha!!! I’m glad I’m not alone there! 😂

[@andrewl8251]

That was the cost for the fix?

[@joshjamescars]

We’re guessing based on the parts and labor (labor alone was about 18 hours) listed on our final invoice, but since it was all covered by warranty the invoice says $0.

[@randydiaz5951]

Nice to listen Toyota recognize this as a real issue and fix it. Finally I can continue looking for this same car, 2021-2024 XSE V6

[@joshjamescars]

Yes!!! It’s an amazing car, truly. And now that ours is fixed and is actually running normally, I have no worries about it lasting for the long haul.

[@frantucker3058]

I love Josh. He's not a mechanic but he knows enough be and educated consumer. His reviews are so fun to watch. The sad thing is, he is a lot like me. I love to trade-in cars but I don't have his dough.

[@joshjamescars]

Haha! Thank you! And sadly with the price of cars these days my dough doesn’t go nearly as far as it did just a couple years ago! 😂 I think we’ll be holding onto our cars for a long time…

[@jeff01922]

Glad everything worked out but I’m wondering if other similar Camrys are experiencing the same problem? lol on the SpongeBob reference!

[@joshjamescars]

I’m guessing that this is a freak one off occurrence that happened as a result of a defective part, not a common occurrence.

[@Miguel.Rosado7224]

I am glad it got fixed. Yes! A loaner vehicle or rental reimbursement from corporate Toyota needs to be paid to the dealer. As to the extended warranty; don’t buy it. The statistic number of a panoramic roof failing is low. Plus, you have other two vehicles. Wear and tear on your vehicles is at very minimal. Also, your vehicles garage kept for the majority of time. Have a good one!

[@joshjamescars]

We probably will just for peace of mind if nothing else. It’s expensive but one big repair can be worth it. Also, regarding the moonroof most will need to be rebuilt just because of the climate. The Camry does live in the garage overnight, but parks outside for 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week and here in Texas the summer sun is brutal. Wear like that may not be covered by the warranty, but if it ever has issues, we’ll be covered.

[@craigo2142]

I think a courtesy car should be included with warranty work or recall. My Acura dealer, in Denver, always sends me home and back in an Uber for service work. I live about 20 miles from the dealership. Never had warranty work done on it so don't know if they provide loaner or not.

[@joshjamescars]

I’m surprised and disappointed by that-since Acura wants to be seen as a premium brand, I would expect loaner vehicles for even routine maintenance. Honda/Toyota no, but them, yes.

[@marcprobin1659]

You should get a loaner car since it's a recall which is warranty work. Complain to corporate. Dealerships are private owners so they don't always follow the rules that Toyota has. Sounds like a greedy dealership, not the fault of Toyota really.

[@joshjamescars]

Oh this is ENTIRELY on the dealer, hence my note about the “dealer experience” I didn’t say it was the fault of Toyota.

[@bngr_bngr]

Given the price point of cars today and the cost of repairs, dealers should provide loaner cars for free. I’ve heard 4Runner engines can be noisy but the Camry sounded like a diesel. Hopefully you don’t have long term engine wear to deal with.

[@joshjamescars]

I agree! I think they’re SUPPOSED TO, based on what everyone else in the comments have said. And same at hoping to not deal with long term wear.

[@TT-qs5jz]

A couple of years ago when I brought my 2019 Sienna in for fuel pump recall, I asked for a loaner car and they gave me one no charge.

[@joshjamescars]

Must be a new thing, then. I do know their “rental car service” is new in general… a new way to make a buck, I suppose. Take what used to be free and charge for it.

[@stratman1192]

I had a Ford Fusion with an airbag recall. They provided a loaner vehicle without me even asking. Work only took about 1/2 day.

[@joshjamescars]

We’ve always had great service at ford when it comes to loaners as well!

[@jayjudd6518]

I’m in a new 2025 crown been back three days in the first 3 days information center controls.😮😢

[@joshjamescars]

Oh no. Hope you’re able to get it repaired or figured out.

[@wally6193]

Good to hear you have it back and it's fixed. I guess the odd car slips by on the line. Where was this car manufactured? Yes I think you should get a loaner for sure, I know Lexus does, but it's Toyota but still think they should for that problem.

[@joshjamescars]

Yep. All Camrys are made in the Kentucky plant for our market. Typically that’s the closest thing you can get to Japanese quality, though the 25 Camry I just drove had some fit and finish issues.

[@wally6193]

@@joshjamescars are the engines assembled there too?

[@wonderboy1998]

What a difference, the smoothness is so evident between this Camry and the new Camry . Your partner was 😁 yasss me Happy. Can't wait for the new Camry video, cause I feel you got something to say...I just feel 😂, special abt the ride quality.

[@joshjamescars]

LOL!!! I actually really liked the new Camry overall. There were a few things that I had issues with (as per usual LOL) and it’s definitely not a driver’s car the way your ES and John’s Camry is but I don’t think you can beat the value for money on the new Camry.

[@wonderboy1998]

@@joshjamescars uhhh let's how your review will be, and yes the price is a bargain compared to Accord

[@AaronEbright]

Mines just like yours but black seats. You should be good to go now.

[@joshjamescars]

We’re hoping so! It drives wonderfully now. 😅

[@MrOktsx]

Don't wear yourself out!

[@joshjamescars]

Haha! No worries there, KZbin is fun for me.

[@brianbarbe9646]

I must say the red interior looks pretty sharp. Is that leather or SofTex?

[@joshjamescars]

In the Camry it’s leather! This Camry came out before Toyota started using SofTex.

[@joshjamescars]

Yes! Mainly because the 2025 is mostly carryover from the 24. What I meant was that the materials for the interior were designed and chosen before the days when Toyota started using SofTex almost exclusively in their cars.

[@brianbarbe9646]

@@joshjamescars What year model is your Camry?

[@joshjamescars]

@brianbarbe9646 2024 XSE V6.

[@MrMustangrick]

@@charlesjackson1700they call it Nulux. It feels a little different than softex.

[@dapperlygrungy3189]

I relate to shady dealerships . I took my Lexus to Longo Lexus which was further away, because I trust them over Lexus of Cerritos, which was closer; and shady, when I initially was looking to buy my Lexus GS. I agree, Toyota should offer loaners when the car is under warranty. This was something I never had a problem with when it came to Lexus. Now that I drive a Camry, I'm told it requires a $500 service to receive a loaner, whether its complimentary, is another question.

[@joshjamescars]

I’ve spent so much of my life in LA that to this day, I can’t hear Cerritos without hearing the YESSIRITOS AUTO SQUARE jingle in my head. 😂

[@dapperlygrungy3189]

@@joshjamescars LOL.. I do remember that jingle.