NHTSA Complaint #11074269 — 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY

ONE OR MORE OF THE THREADS THAT RECEIVE THE HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED, WHICH CAUSED A LEAKING HEAD GASKET AND COOLANT IS ENTERING THE CYLINDERS. WHEN STARTING/STOPPING, YOU CAN HEAR THE COOLANT SLOSHING AROUND. THE CABIN HEAT GOES AWAY AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATS. THE MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THAT ENGINE. THE HEAD BOLTS ARE STEEL AND THE RECEIVING THREADS ARE ALUMINUM. REPAIR OPTIONS ARE TO PUT STEEL INSERTS INTO THE ALUMINUM OR REPLACE THE ENGINE. BOTH OPTIONS ARE ABOUT THE SAME IN LABOR COSTS, BUT IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO GO WITH REPLACING THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE INSERTS WOULD ARE LIKELY TO WORK LOOSE IN A FEW YEARS. REPLACING THE WITH A REFURBISHED ENGINE WILL COST ABOUT $5500. ENGINEERING 101...FOR A CRITICAL JOINT THAT IS SUBJECT TO VIBRATION AND HEAT/COOLING CYCLES, NEVER THREAD INTO ALUMINUM!