2016 Toyota Camry

The factory-applied paint (Toyota color code 070, Blizzard Pearl) is delaminating and peeling off both the driver-side and passenger-side A-pillars, exposing primer underneath. The clear coat and color coat are separating from the substrate in sheets. This is not impact damage or external wear — it is a failure of paint adhesion. Toyota has acknowledged this defect in Customer Support Program ZKG, which covers 2008–2017 Camry vehicles finished in 070 Blizzard Pearl and 040 Super White. My vehicle is a 2016 Camry in 070. The program provides coverage for 10 years from date of first use. My in-service date was December 2015, so coverage expired in December 2025 — shortly before the defect progressed enough to require repair. The vehicle has been serviced at Toyota dealerships since delivery, with 25 documented service visits beginning with the pre-delivery inspection in October 2015. I contacted the selling brand's local dealer and the Toyota Brand Engagement Center. Both confirmed the vehicle is outside the 10-year window and declined repair. I am paying out of pocket. I am filing so this defect is recorded. The peeling is progressive and will expose bare metal on the A-pillar, which is part of the vehicle's roof-crush and rollover protection structure. In a road-salt environment this creates a corrosion risk on a structural member. No crash, fire, or injury has occurred.

1. Component / System Failed: - The primary exterior paint and clear coat layer completely separated from the factory electro-coat (E-coat) primer on the vehicle's body structure (specifically near the rear quarter panel, roof pillar, and doors). The vehicle and affected component are available for inspection upon request. 2. Safety / Risk to Safety: - While driving at highway speeds (65+ mph), large, thick sheets of brittle paint layer detach and fly off the vehicle. This creates an unexpected road debris hazard for trailing motor vehicles, potentially causing driver distraction or windshield impact for vehicles behind me. Furthermore, large paint loss around the roof/windshield pillars creates noticeable glares and glare reflection in direct sunlight, compromising visual clarity. 3. Dealer / Professional Confirmation: - Yes. I brought the vehicle to a local Toyota dealership service center. The service department confirmed the paint detachment, noting it matches the known factory primer adhesion failure pattern addressed under Toyota Customer Support Program ZJB. However, they stated the extended program window had elapsed and refused coverage. 4. Prior Inspections: - The vehicle has been inspected by a Toyota dealership service department. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives as no collision has occurred yet. 5. Warning Lamps, Messages, or Prior Symptoms: - No dashboard warning lights or messages appeared prior to the failure, as this is a structural/body paint adhesion defect. The issue first appeared as minor blistering/bubbling along the panel edges without any external impact or stone chip damage, and rapidly progressed into large, multi-inch sections peeling off down to the bare grey primer.

The METAL trunk torsion bar broke with no warning or symptoms while I was sitting in my vehicle with the trunk closed. While it sounds minimal, it caused such a deafening sound I initially thought there had been an explosion in the rear of my vehicle. This occurred a few minutes after I removed an item from the trunk and closed the trunk. I was sitting in the driver's seat with the car running about to back up when the explosive sound occurred. If the trunk had still been open, the risk of significant injury and death would have been quite high given the explosive sound made when it broke and slammed the interior of the trunk. If it had hit my head, chest or an artery with that level of force, it likely would have caused death in my opinion. There were ZERO warnings. My trunk worked fine, no symptoms of any kind that it was about to fail and that is what makes this so dangerous. This is a part that never should have failed. It should last the lifetime of the car. The largest part of the broken torsion bar IS available for inspection. The smaller piece that broke off and became a potentially lethal projectile must be somewhere behind the paneling, but I have not been able to find it. I can make my car available if an inspector would like to search for the missing piece. I have received a quote from the dealer for replacement, so it has been inspected. Components that failed in the trunk: 64531-06500 Hinge Torsion Bar Right Hand 64127-06110 Torsion Bar Bracket/Hardware Kit. Rear Spoiler/Hardware Kit Note- There is also a 64532-06500 Hinge Torsion Bar Left Hand that could possibly fail in the same way.

While loading groceries in my trunk, the torsion bar sheared off and broke (the hook part). It fell hard on my shoulder (fortunately not my neck or head). I have never seen steel actually break rather than bend. I tried to fix it but could not. Trunk is heavy and unstable (falls easily), as is part of car in back. Went to Toyota dealer and found out no recall, and "iffy" fix. They wanted $488.50 to try and fix. My body shop estimated $164. and purchased correct Toyota parts, followed their instructions. The bars only held for a few minutes, then they failed to hold up the trunk again. I was almost injured again with this failure, but managed to catch it in time. They refunded me $100. since they said there was no more "play" to work with. Went on social media only to find that many Toyota Camry 2016 and 2015s had torsion bar failures, with no recall. Some said that they spent over $1000. trying to fix it, but never could, no matter what dealership or body shop repaired it. Others gave up and sold it. It is not something that I can "live with". the trunk is heavy to life and unstable. Have to hold it while trying to put things in trunk. I have had 6 Toyotas in my life and 3 cars with Auto Nation, but have never had the lack of integrity, follow-through and non-solutions that I have experienced with the purchase of this car. Unlike others, I can't afford to sell/replace my car at this time, and can't live with it as is. I truly love my car, but do not feel safe using it and am totally frustrated. All I want is for Toyota and/or its mfr.) to own up to the design flaw and either fix or replace it. Note: I have photos of broken part, failure, and estimates, but couldn't get them to download onto your form. (It just kept deleting the form and having me start over). Please advise if I can send another way.

Roof and sunroof structures began making continuous loud "popping" noises, very startling and distracting to driver and passengers. Toyota is aware of the problem, it involves the structure of the sunroof mating to the structure of the vehicle roof. This defect has existed since at least the 2007 model year, and Toyota published official guides for Toyota dealer repair procedures. Toyota refused the procedure due to my vehicle being out of its 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, instead quoting around $1600 for the repair. The popping noises are very loud, similar to a rock hitting the windshield. This startles the driver and causes the driver to jump and lose focus. This is a very well-known defect and Toyota is hiding behind the fact that it usually begins after the warranty period is expired. Toyota should cover its repair.