NHTSA Complaint #10382070 — 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY

MY 2003 CAMRY WAS NO LONGER HEATING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR EVEN WITH THE HEAT ON 'HIGH.' THEN I REALIZED THE THERMOSTAT WAS IN THE 'RED.' I HAD ANTIFREEZE ADDED AND IT WORKED FINE FOR 24 HOURS. THEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING, I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND THE THERMOSTAT WENT DOWN TO 'NORMAL' RANGE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, WHO ADDED MORE ANTIFREEZE. IT WORKED FINE UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. THEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN: NO HEAT IN CABIN AND THERMOSTAT ON 'RED.' I COOLED IT DOWN AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SAID THE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK AND THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. HE SAID THE BOLTS WERE NOT PUT IN PROPERLY DURING MANUFACTURING. I SEE MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I CALL TOYOTA (1800 331-4331). THE REP SAYS TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ABOUT THIS, LEAVING ME SOL (SIMPLY OUT OF LUCK). RIGHT NOW, I'M LOOKING AT HAVING TO SPEND AT LEAST $1600 TO REPAIR A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE. REMEMBER, 'TOYOTA TOUGH?' I'VE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA OWNER FOR YEARS ' BUT I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE MY LAST. ' SIGNED, DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER