NHTSA Complaint #10344551 — 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TO MY WELL-MAINTAINED 2000 CAMRY V6 WITH 88,000 MILES ON IT, THE CAR OFTEN SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES JUST BEFORE IT COMES TO A STOP. I USUALLY HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO ELIMINATE THE VIBRATION, BUT THAT IS A VERY UNSAFE TACTIC. THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL BEARING BUT THAT HAD NO EFFECT. NOW THE DEALER THINKS THAT THE SHUDDER/VIBRATION PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5000-$6000, WHICH IS ABOUT TWICE WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL SO EARLY UNLESS IT WAS DEFECTIVE. SINCE THE PROBLEM OCCURS DURING BRAKING, IT CLEARLY IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR