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Author Topic: Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?  (Read 3248 times)

Offline camryowner

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« on: July 21, 2005, 04:11:50 pm »
During our service checkup at Toyota we were told that our clutch is worn out and needs repairing (cost $1,300 plus tax).  Its a 2003 Toyota Camry with less than 50,000 kms. I was surprised because on my old Honda Accord I had gone 9 years without changing the clutch. Questions: (1) How long the clutch typically last; (2) Should it be covered under Toyota 3 year/60,000 km warranty; (3) Is anyone aware or experienced problems with the clutch on their Toyota?
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Offline Shnak

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2005, 04:21:16 pm »
My uncle just changed his clutch on his 1995 Camry after about 210,000km on it... So I'd say either your clutch had some kind of defect on it that made it less resistant, your dealership is trying to screw you or that you don't know how to drive with a stickshift (and so that the clutch in your Accord was better than the clutches Toyota uses).
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Offline Craig

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2005, 06:22:34 pm »
The clutch is a wear item, so I it's not usually covered under warranty.

You don't happen to have a teenaged son, do you?
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Offline 21Rouge

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2005, 06:31:12 pm »
The clutch is a wear item, so I it's not usually covered under warranty.

But there is something to be said regarding an item which wears prematurely. I bet depending on the dealer and service manager it might be covered by the car's warranty.
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Offline tpl

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2005, 09:14:59 pm »
50k  km is ridiculous. Even BMW clutches which often get abused (!) should do 150,000
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Offline barrie1

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2005, 10:32:19 pm »
Camryowner Welcome to the Forum, sorry to hear of the part failure but the others are correct in that the clutch should have lasted much longer unless it was abused or defective. I would try to get it covered under warranty as this is premature for this part.
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Mdxtasy

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2005, 10:37:25 pm »
50K on the clutch is very new.  Unless you drive in the city all the time and ride the clutch on hills or use it to downshift/slow the car down without rev matching etc....clutches take a lot of wear before they start slipping.  Do you notice the clutch slipping?  $1300 + tax for a clutch?  That seems a little high to me.  I'd go to an independent Toyota shop to get a second opinion.
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Sterling

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2005, 12:47:27 am »
You say you were told it was worn out but don't mention anything about noticing symptoms. I'm not a Toyota expert but I don't think there is any way to determine a worn out clutch except by noticing symptoms. You can't measure it like with brake pads.  

As the others have said, it is highly unlikely the clutch is worn out after only 50000 km. Especially since you apparently didn't notice any problems. Try another repair shop.
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Offline The Mighty Duck

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2005, 02:33:46 am »
A good enough test is to stop somewhere flat, put the car in fourth, and see if you can get it to go.  Mind, that only applies if it's a manual, if it's an automatic this won't work...

But do take it to another shop and see what they say.  I learned to drive stick in my Honda, which now has 130 000 km on it, in a hilly neighbourhood, and use the clutch to downshift, and it's been fine...

On another note, someone kindly explain "rev matching".  It's not a term I've heard before...
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Offline tpl

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2005, 05:53:15 am »
I wonder if there has been a rear oil seal leak and the clutch is contaminated with oil....that could happen at any time but it seems so unlikely on a Toyota
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Offline articsteve

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2005, 10:24:31 am »
What motor is in this Camry?

$1300 for just a clutch kit? That is really high.  Plus Tax???

Why do you say you need a new clutch?  What is the car doing wrong.

I'm not a Toyota expert but I don't think there is any way to determine a worn out clutch except by noticing symptoms.

There is in most well engineered cars. I would think Toyota has one being they have good engineering.  It's a port or slot and you need a specific tool to shove up thru it.
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Offline mrthompson

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2005, 10:27:49 am »
It's probably the 4 cylinder engine.
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Sterling

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2005, 07:35:15 pm »
A good enough test is to stop somewhere flat, put the car in fourth, and see if you can get it to go. Mind, that only applies if it's a manual, if it's an automatic this won't work...

If it's an automatic then he has bigger problems.
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Offline barrie1

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2005, 10:10:46 pm »
How True.
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Mdxtasy

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2005, 10:12:22 pm »
If it's an automatic...the dealer is really ripping him off on a 'clutch' replacement.
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Offline No H2O

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #15 on: July 25, 2005, 09:13:21 am »
Clutches only wear during initial start-up from a stop or red light and while shifting. How much they wear, depends on the driver.

A clutch will easily last 250,000 kilometers under normal conditions. My co-worker replaced the clutch on his Camry at 376,000 kms...he now has 462,000 kms on his Camry. He does his own maintenance (as do I) and claims the best way to keep a car trouble free is to not let a dealer mess with it.
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Offline No H2O

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #16 on: July 25, 2005, 09:17:05 am »
Should it be covered under Toyota 3 year/60,000 km warranty?

At 50,000 kms, yup. If a main seal or transmission input shaft seal went, then it is Toyota's problem without a doubt. Even if they didn't, that is highly unusual. Maybe the pressure plate is faulty. I take it the clutch is slipping.
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Offline exserviceguy

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #17 on: July 25, 2005, 12:39:27 pm »
Hi Gang, You can take it for what it's worth, but after almost 30 years various dealership service counters, I don't know of one manufacturer that wouldn't check a 'warranty' clutch claim with a fine tooth comb looking to deny payment to the dealer.  Some makers will be nice enough to explain this in the owner's manual and some will not.  I can count on one hand the number of clutch plates that have been ruined by rear main oil seals, (and none of those were Toyota) and if the pressure plate was defective the clutch should have been slipping since day one.  I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble but walking into a dealership expecting warranty on a clutch plate is asking for disappointment.
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Offline safristi

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #18 on: July 25, 2005, 01:20:04 pm »
Ex if they are that rare why wouldn't they let the 1 in a million clutch repair through....cheap way to keep the good name going....IMHO.
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Offline exserviceguy

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Toyota Camry - How long does the clutch usually last?
« Reply #19 on: July 25, 2005, 04:05:03 pm »
Yes Saffy, I agree, but somedays car makers just look for ways to deny warranty and not pay it.  Take a look at GM recently for example.  In June in the US the 'Employee Discount' plan reduced the average window sticker by $950 US and the dealers had to cover 70% of that.  The only compensation they got was an increase in their holdback from 2% to just under 5% of the vehicle price on average.  A good strong dealer with lots of retail sales can take that for a month maybe, but a weak or marginal dealer might be pushed over the financial edge with treatment like that from their maker.
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