2010 Toyota Camry Visibility Problems

I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction and concern regarding Toyota’s refusal to honor the recall or warranty enhancement program related to a defective melting dashboard in my vehicle. I was not notified of the recall. The dashboard of my vehicle has become soft, shiny, and sticky, producing an extreme glare on the windshield and a potentially hazardous driving condition. This issue matches the widely reported defective dashboard problem acknowledged by Toyota, which led to the issuance of a Warranty Enhancement Program (e.g., ZE6 / ZE7) in the past. Despite this, my attempts to have this issue addressed through your customer service and local dealership have been denied, citing either the expiration of the enhancement program or an unwillingness to extend assistance. Given the nature of the defective material safety issue stemming from substandard manufacturing, I believe Toyota has an ongoing responsibility to remedy this, regardless of an arbitrary deadline.

NHTSA ID

11696470

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

My 2010 Toyota Camry LE dashboard is physically sticky, extremely shiny, & material of dashboard is melting & breaking down. It produces fumes at higher temperatures & seems to add fog to glass.The entire dashboard material is impacted. It has drip marks, bubbling, and erosion & getting worse. The area where the passenger airbag would deploy from is impacted, as well as overall integrity of physical dashboard across entire dashboard. The vehicle is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others is being put at risk by the following: Multiple significant safety issues for driver & passengers from dashb1) visibility issues from extreme glare onto windshield result in blinding and/or distractiing driver, 2) Integrity of dashboard material is compromised (spongy, sticky, breaking down & worse with heat in normal conditions of use) 3) the dashboard is impaired where airbag would deploy from, 4) exposure to chemical fumes and particles from dashboard materials continues as it breaks down. I had Toyota Dealership Service Manager to view & inspect this dashboard in person on [XXX]. The service manager sat in driver seat and observed problem with extreme glare, touch to confirm stickiness, and I pointed to example of drips of melting dashboard, small pieces chipped & eroded from dashboard. The service manager also confirmed the passenger airbag does deploy from the dashboard (when asked). The toyota service manager then checked for recall or service program related to this issue. A customer service program would have replaced this for free - but showed as expired. I was then provided an estimate for dashboard replacement of $3128. This is serious defect that demands a safety recall. It impacts the safety and integrity of my vehicle and others on the road in the U.S. My vehicle only has 75,560 miles. No sensors or warning lights exist for dashboard material I'm aware of. The problem has been evolving overtime and getting worse. Merits safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

NHTSA ID

11590782

Incident

May 25, 2024

Subject: camry rear window (defogger), tint film badly bubbling with poor or zero visibility Dealer: Al Hendrickson Toyota 5201 W Sample Rd Coconut Creek, Florida 33073 Phone: (954) 972-1100 Website: https://www.alhendricksontoyota.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp_sales Amount Paid: 0 It is about my 2010 Camry bought new in 2010. It is sparsely driven (about 4 months in a year), mileage: 18,900. In 2017, bubbles developed in the rear window to the extent that it was literally opaque with zero visibility. The problem was reported to the dealer, Hendrickson. The defective tint was replaced. It was a warranty replacement at no cost. The problem has re-occurred (2023). Hendrickson refuses to fix it. I complained to Toyota company on or about Dec 8th, 2023 with no response so far. On my morning walks, I pass through several car parking lots and I have noticed this problem on in several Camrys and some corollas It shows the problem is quite spread out in Toyota models. I believe it is a manufacturing defect and a safety issue (poor visibility) for which manufacturer should be responsible and fix the problem ?

NHTSA ID

11562173

Incident

Dec 8, 2023

My 2010 Camry has become incredibly unsafe to drive or be in due to the dashboard melting. There is an unbelievably unsafe glare caused by the dashboard reflecting sunlight and the more the dash melts the more intense the glare becomes. There is also a smell that renders the vehicle almost worthless on hot days and causes headaches. This is on top of not being able to clean the dashboard because you cannot touch it with anything. All bugs and any dust that land on the dashboard live there permanently. You cannot wipe it with anything. Your finger prints stay on the dash with the lightest touch and often it becomes so hot you cannot touch it without potentially burning yourself. The dash melting is a safety hazard to everyone on the roadways. There are likely millions of cars with this defective dashboard that have not been repaired. I have contacted Toyota several times, including executives and high ranking corporate employees, and they say that they will not replace or help with this defective and unsafe cheap component that they used in order to increase their margins. The problem has been acknowledged by Toyota but they failed to contact an incredibly high number of owners that are affected. I first noticed the glare in 2014 and it has gotten progressively worse. I took the vehicle to a toyota dealership twice (2016/2023) and they refused to fix the defective dash both times. They expect owners to pay $3,500-$5,000 for a dashboard repair on a vehicle that has 100k+ mile life left yet is only worth around $5,000. They are essentially totaling cars that owners have worked hard to maintain and get the most out of. Toyota is stealing 10+ years of vehicle life from many consumers and placing the burden of their profit margins increasing onto consumers that buy toyotas because of their longevity and reliability.

NHTSA ID

11539865

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

We have a 2010 Camry. It is having the sticky dash issue with it, which is a known issue with Toyota. And more concerning, the issue is causing a horrible glare on the windshield. This is a safety hazard as it is very hard to see. I understand there was a recall at one point, but since it is a huge safety concern, I would like Toyota to replace the dashboard at no cost to me.

NHTSA ID

11538625

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

The dashboard is melting, creating utterly shiny layer on top, making it almost impossible to drive ( due to glare and reflection in windshield) during even during normal daylight, let alone at night with incoming traffic headlights on.

NHTSA ID

11506799

Incident

Feb 2, 2023

My Toyota Camry Has been turned down for a melting and shiny dashboard replacement. Toyota says they notified me but I never received a notice in the mail. I called them at least four times, but they would not do the necessary replacement, saying that I was beyond the period of their offer to replace it. The problem seemed to occur some years after the purchase which was not visible till about two years ago. I consider this a safety problem because of the glare in the modern tilted windshields. I would like help on this problem

NHTSA ID

11495324

Incident

Aug 20, 2020

Dash is melting can’t clean it or set anything on it and creates a glare and is very dangerous!! Please recall!!

NHTSA ID

11468366

Incident

May 14, 2022

Dashboard is melting and creating a glare on the windscreen which makes driving dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11461207

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

The dashboard of my car is extremely sticky and is now causing a glare when I drive. This is a safety hazard due to the fact that the light from other cars/stoplights reflects off the shiny/sticky surface. This problem is very prevalent in other cars as well. I tried to get it fixed through extended warranty, but that ended in 2020. I believe that Toyota should extend this warranty as we were in a lockdown for all of 2020, and I was not able to visit a repair shop. There were no warning lamps/messages prior to the failure of my dashboard, making it more dangerous as I found out when I had a glare from another car reflecting off my dashboard and temporarily blinding my view.

NHTSA ID

11442048

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

DASHBOARD MELTING AND STICKY. REFLECTING IN WINDSHIELD AND DISTORTING VIEW. UNABLE TO CLEAN WITHOUT MESSING UP THE DASHBOARD. IT IS TURNING SOFT.

NHTSA ID

11415563

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Mileage

74,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BECAME STICKY AND IT CREATED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE SUB CAUSING THEIR VISIBILITY TO BE DIFFICULT, WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED A COURTESY SAFETY RECALL FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE DASHBOARD FOR THEIR VEHICLE BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER DON MCGILL TOYOTA (11800 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77079) BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF STATE AND BECAUSE OF COVID CONCERNS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BACK IN STATE AND THEY WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE COURTESY RECALL BUT THE LOCAL DEALER INFORMED THEM IT WAS TOO LATE AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11390501

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

180,000 mi

THE SUNVISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE JUST FELL OFF AND NOW IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE FROM LIGHTS AND SUN.I WAS DRIVING WHEN IT FELL OFF THE BRACKET.

NHTSA ID

11373097

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

37,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD ON THIS VEHICLE STARTED "MELTING" AND BECAME STICKY AND GOOEY ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I THOUGHT IT WAS DIRTY AND COULD NOT CLEAN OFF THE STICKINESS. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THERE WAS ALSO A REFLECTIVE GLARE COMING OFF THE DASHBOARD WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD ALSO EMITTED A STRONG ODOR THAT WAS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO BREATHE AND MY EYES TO BURN AND CAUSE " COUGHING. I DID NOT REALIZE IT WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD UNTIL I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A TOYOTA RECALL REGARDING THE "MELTING DASHBOARDS. I CALLED TOYOTA ON 10-19-2020 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM EXPIRED AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA BY MAIL, PHONE OR EMAIL ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY STILL SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. I BELIEVE TOYOTA NEEDS TO HONOR THE WARRANTY TO REPLACE MY DASHBOARD AS I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THEY SAID BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT SERVICED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SINCE 2017 THAT IS WHY I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE RECALL. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED REGULARLY, BUT NOT AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE MAILED ME A RECALL NOTICE, WHICH THEY DID NOT. IF I HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL I WOULD HAVE /REPLACEMENT TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE

NHTSA ID

11365215

Incident

Mar 14, 2020

Mileage

87,112 mi

DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING. IT IS VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH AND WILL COME OFF AND ADHERE TO ANYTHING THAT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE DASH. WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN, IT PUTS OFF A GLARE THAT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD, EVEN WHEN WEARING SUNGLASSES.

NHTSA ID

11348396

Incident

May 4, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD IS BREAKING DOWN AND HAS BECOME VERY STICKY. THIS CAUSES GLARE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT IT ON 9/14/209, BUT THEY SAID THEIR 'WARRANT ENHANCEMENT' EXPIRED ON 8/13/2019. TOYOTA SAID THAT THEY SENT A LETTER IN 2016, WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT A TOYOTA DEAL (JACK TAYLOR TOYOTA, ALEXANDRIA VA), AND THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THE 'WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT.' THEY SAID THAT THEY ONLY HAD TO NOTIFY FOR RECALL SAFETY ISSUES. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD REPLACE IT FOR @2,171.46 THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, NOT JUST A 'WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT.' TOYOTA'S METHODS TO NOTIFY ARE INADEQUATE AND THIS PROBLEM IS ONGOING - ME AND MANY OTHERS WILL HAVE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM BEYOND TOYOTA'S WARRANT PERIOD. ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY DO SUCH A POOR JOB OF CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION. THIS CAUSES A LOT OF ROAD GLARE AT NIGHT AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS. TOYOTA IS OBVIOUSLY NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING ON THEIR OWN. I HOPE THE NTSB CAN PLEASE ADVANCE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11255700

Incident

Sep 14, 2019

SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN

NHTSA ID

11254788

Incident

Sep 7, 2019

Mileage

39,000 mi

BOTH SUN VISORS WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN IN 2016 I WENT TO DEALERSHIP IN TINELY PARK IL, I REQUESTED THAT BOTH DEFECTIVE SUN VISOR SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT TOYOTA GENERATED. SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THAT UNLESS SUN VISOR FALL DOWN COMPLETELY, TOYOTA WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. AND DEALERSHIP REPAIRED ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE AND DENIED REPAIR ON PASSENGER SIDE. TODAY, MY PASSENGER SUN VISOR FLOPS DOWN AND SERIOUSLY OBSTRUCTS VISIBILITY - CREATING VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. I CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICE ON JULY 18TH 2019. BOTH DENIED THE CLAIM AND DENIED NECESSARY REPAIR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FROM ANY AUTO MANUFACTURER - SHOWING THEIR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ID

11233185

Incident

Jul 11, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN MONTANA. NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND NOT FOLLOWING ANY CARS. OUT OF THE BLUE, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION ON THE SUNROOF. UPON PULLING OVER, THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. VERY GLAD THE SLIDER HAD BEEN CLOSED AS I COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY CUT, PLUS I HAD A PASSENGER. MY HUSBAND HAD PULLED OFF THE ROAD SO I COULD DRIVE, SO NOT AT A HIGH SPEED, WHEN IT OCCURRED. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT THE ROOF WAS REPLACED BY GLASS DOCTOR.

NHTSA ID

11163682

Incident

Dec 8, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS TINTED. IT HAS DETERIORATED SO MUCH THAT I CAN NOT SEE THROUGH IT WHILE IN DRIVERS SEAT. IT IS EXTREMELY BLURRY AND TRANSLUCENT. AT NIGHT TIME IT IS ALL STREAKED LIGHT REFLECTIONS. THIS CONDITION IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. THE TINT FILM HAS BUBBLED. NOTICED IT HAPPEN LAST YEAR BUT NOW IT HAS BECOME WORST.

NHTSA ID

11155284

Incident

Nov 27, 2018

Mileage

13,520 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR FRACTURED AND OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD. ALSO, WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE, THE SUN VISOR STRUCK THE DRIVER IN THE FACE. THE DRIVER WAS UNINJURED. LARRY H. MILLER LIBERTY TOYOTA COLORADO SPRINGS (5115 NEW CAR DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80923) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11139553

Incident

Sep 10, 2018

Mileage

95,000 mi

SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP OBSTRUCTING VISION. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SUPPORT FROM TOYOTA BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ID

11131710

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS SUDDENLY FELL DOWN AND OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. JOSEPH TOYOTA (9101 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11128125

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE SUN VISOR DETACHED FROM THE UNIT AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACTED CALLED JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY (14700 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011, (636) 707-0157) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1809052163. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11124577

Incident

Sep 5, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FELL OFF. THE HANDLE BROKE AND DOESN'T STAY. ALWAYS DOWN

NHTSA ID

11123462

Incident

Jul 22, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi