2002 Toyota Camry LE

Faults:

I have owned 2 Toyota's with manual transmissions for 15 years, and never had to replace a clutch under 100K miles.

I got a 2002 Camry, and had to replace the clutch at 15K. Dealer said it was operator error.

At 44k the clutch went again. I had an independent mechanic fix it, and he told me that Toyota had replaced the original pressure plate part with a new one, because they were having problems with the original one. I will let you know what Toyota says about this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th April, 2006

2002 Toyota Camry XLE V6

Summary:

Love it

Faults:

Four light bulbs burned out. The serpentine belt is is being replaced soon. The power steering is needs to be fixed. Besides all of that, it's a good car.

General Comments:

I love the car. The navigation system really helps me a lot when I go on trips.I'm about to trade it for a Toyota 4Runner.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th March, 2006

2002 Toyota Camry XLE V6

Summary:

Good car, poorly built U.S. model

Faults:

First of all, the rattling of just about everything inside the car, very unpleasant.

The air condition had a leak that reduced the eficiency of the system by the second summer, the dealer refused to take care of it, finally after talking to the owner the mechanics refilled the system without fixing the leak, it soon leaked again, the front mat was cut as it came out of the service bay, extreemely poor service at all visited dealers (3).

The battery died after three years, but was weak after the first year.

One of the shocks in the rear had to be replaced at about 12000 miles due to "thumping" noise.

General Comments:

Other than that, I love my Camry and it is far better than many other cars in it's class.

The audio in the navigation version is top quality.

The navigation is easy to use and very fast to recalculate another route.

However, due to the low quality of the vehicles that are now built in U.S. I would definitely advise against buying one, I've had four and there will not be another Toyota again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st December, 2005

1st Jan 2006, 21:00

Did you ever think that the problems with your Toyota might be due to faulty components, as opposed to where the vehicle was made? Faulty components are what your problems sound like to me, based on everything you described, and Toyota's recent track record. If I were you, I would personally consider myself lucky that you got that many miles out of your car without the engine blowing from Toyota's long running engine-sludge/head-gasket defect.

I agree that the new Toyotas are not at all up to the standards of the older models, but I do not blame where they are built. Toyota was having problems with head gaskets long before they started being built outside of Japan. There are also widespread and well documented (but of course not widely reported) "design" problems with Toyota's OBDII engine control systems.

Toyota's OBDII design flaw, and subsequent misrepresentation of their system to the EPA, led to Toyota being levying a heavy fine, and a number of 1996 - 1999 Toyota miles being mandated to on several models have their evaporative emissions warranties extended to 150,000 miles, to give custumers recourse for the defect. You can look any of these things up, as well as well as numbers of other design defects. You just will not hear about them in the news.

I know many people who have been burned by both of these above mentioned, as well as many other Toyota problems. Naturally, they could not believe it when they happened, because they actually believed a Toyota could never have a problem, let alone a major one.

This nonsensical notion that Toyota is infallible is a myth, and this naive rationalization of any problems with Toyotas being blamed on the fact that some of them are now made in the US, coming from Americans...well, that just sad. I guess your next car will be a Nissan or Honda. Enjoy freedom while it lasts.

3rd Jan 2006, 08:48

A very appropriate first comment. I couldn't agree more.

23rd Jan 2006, 22:46

We own a 1995 Lincoln Town Car Cartier with over 270,000 miles.

About 4-burned out bulbs, lower radiator hose leak-@250K- and broken off key in the trunk.

No leaks and has never broken down, even the original alternator, water pump, starter etc. The car has used about one quart of oil every 800-miles and has since 150K.

We also just bought a new Camry and when I went with my daughter to get it, I saw that it was a Japan built one. I thought that they all were built in Georgetown KY.

1st Nov 2006, 20:00

I could guarantee if the reviwer's Camry had been built in Japan or Australia, it would not have the problems he/she described. Espcially the rattling interior one.

28th Mar 2007, 21:03

It might be important to note that despite where the vehicles are actually assembled, Toyota is still responsible for governing the quality of its output.

In reply to 1st Jan 2006, 21:00

19th Mar 2015, 23:54

You are right on. Those dreadful EVAP malfunction codes are a nightmare to diagnose and can become very costly for the owner. Especially the 97-00 models.