Faults:

Design flaw in this motor. The headbolts strip out of the block. Toyota is not standing behind this failure. It is a very costly and time consuming repair, requiring removing the head, drilling and tapping the block and installing inserts. It affects 2002 to 2006 Camry's with the 2.4 motor. Do not buy a Toyota with this motor!!!

General Comments:

The car for the most part is a good running, comfortable ride, but ONLY consider buying with the V6 motor. Avoid the 2.4 4 cyl!

Faults:

Within one month of buying this, it's an expense. When going on the freeway at 60mph, there's a rumbling noise from the front left tire side. Got it checked and it was bearing that dealership replaced. Still the same noise, now they FEEL it's the tires, which are worn unevenly and it's a $600 expense.

Also, the steering makes a squeaking noise on turns, which is diagnosed to be spiral cable or clock spring. It's $400 of work at the dealership.

So overall it's like putting more $1000 to get it repaired, which is disappointing.

I also get a jerk when I accelerate the car, and it appears to be transmission job.

General Comments:

I am scared owning or even considering any car from Toyota in future.

Faults:

Spring to pop the gas filler door broke.

Inside passenger door handle/window switch panel broken.

Thermostat stuck open.

General Comments:

Nice riding car.

The driver's seat is somewhat uncomfortable, think the previous owner was a big person.

The interior does have a few squeaks and creaks, but not annoying with radio on.

4 cylinder doesn't idle very smooth, but not terrible. Gets 25 mpg mixed, as good as 33 on the interstate at 75 mph. The speedometer is a little slow according to my Garmin GPS. The car is easy to work on and is not loaded with electrical issues.

Faults:

Since 100 miles, the steering wheel has barely heard but felt weird occasional pop & no one at Toyota has ever admitted to noticing it; however ASE certified engine mechanic looked it over and found it odd but harmless.

Factory tires USELESS at 26K (were rotated by Toyota dealership religiously).

Headlamp switch replaced at 29K (shorted out & caused flicker after using turn signal)

Toyota battery failed at 37K! (Walmart USA Store $39.95 battery it was replaced with laste-M until 97K!)

Manifold (cracked) replaced at 79K. $408 covered on ext warranty.

Catalytic converter (exhaust manifold assembly) replaced at 84K - (I caused such a fuss over the price that the service manager gave the parts to me under a "goodwill warranty", but labor was $285 (not covered under ext. warranty)

Oil pan leaking at 84K (so barely noticeable that the extended warranty did not want to cover a "seep")

Engine light code DTCPO442 - charcoal canister & VSV replaced at 91K, a $514 repair covered under the extended warranty.

A/C clutch relay replaced at 99K.

General Comments:

Overall, compared to other cars I've had - very minimal, and of course I protected myself by buying the extended warranty $1000 (7 years, 100K) compared to GM's $1800-$2400 for same). I was really mad at the catalytic converter expensive repair, but the manager FIXED that. Cheap on insurance, gas, 4 cylinder not really noticeable even after driving a 6 cyl before that - really great car. Paid off and still in good condition.

At first I thought it was less comfortable than my 1998 Malibu, but got used to it. Decided on the Camry after seeing Internet comparison of the two and could not FIND a Malibu on a lot - had to order and pay extra $$. Toyota's usually higher price had a lot FULL, but only one 4 cyl so I lucked out. The Malibu was a good car with minimal problems, but I say minimal only because my $800 ext warranty once paid for a $900 repair among two others, but I LOVED that car, my first with leather, sunroof, etc. Handed it down in the family.

Learned on Internet that safety ratings for the 2003 are not that great for the driver's head and neck :-(. I've had 1 hit and run driver hit me from side, 1 baby deer messed up the front end about $3k, another parking lot hit & run from the behind - $2.5K, and a repair shop tech drove it over a tire machine - another $3K, but no major accidents on the DRIVERS side thank goodness!