2003 Toyota Camry LE

Summary:

Not bad, but there is life beyond Toyota

Faults:

I purchased the 100,000 platinum warranty with this car luckily. :)

At about 30,000, the master cylinder was bad and replaced (warranty covered).

At about 85,000, the check engine light came on and the O2 sensor and catalytic converter were replaced (also covered by warranty).

At about the same time, the passenger door handle broke off. My mom broke this and she is not very strong (not covered in warranty :( <-- I believe that Toyota should be happy to fix this free of charge).

#1 car in America! #&%#@, but after writing to their headquarters they wouldn't. The handle is 50 dollars and it's close to 200 to take off the door panel to repair; so far I haven't fixed it (I now make my mom get in the car like "Dukes of Hazzard style" JK. I reach over to let her in. When the driver's side breaks off, I guess I will have to do something about it..?

At about 90,000 miles my steering wheel squeaking noise has been bugging the crap out of me.. warranty covered that, it was something in the steering box, I believe they said??

I am now at 99,600. Just had my last check in before the warranty expires on me, after bringing it in for a minor tune up plus transmission flush etc. I had noticed actually for the longest time when turning right or left, I heard a clunk noise - ended up being an intermediate steering shaft, then they informed me that there was exhaust smoke and condensation, which it need valve stem seal repair and this repair is about $2000 dollars or so; luckily covered by my warranty.. whew! I am glad I got this in before it was up.. and that they were kind enough to recognize this one for me $$$$.

Overall, I have had about 4 sets of tires or so? Plus brake jobs?? I think? But the $1200 Platinum warranty definitely paid for itself by now, and I am fortunate I paid a little extra for it...

I give this car about 7 out of 10 overall. It makes my 3rd Toyota; two pickup trucks before this... however next time I'm considering trying something other than Toyota. (If they would have fixed my door handle, maybe I would have considered them next time) ******* <-- Something like that shouldn't have happened in the first place... headquarters should have arranged for me to get that taken care of..

Anyway, thanks for reading :) Be well.

General Comments:

They should have fixed my door handle!! : (

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

Review Date: 5th October, 2008

2003 Toyota Camry LE 2.4L

Summary:

Don't buy this car for Reliability

Faults:

I bought a Toyota because other family members were happy with theirs. All maintenance on my Camry has been done at Toyota dealerships except a few oil changes. I've had the rotors machined at approx. 26k kms, brakes replaced at 70k, some minor repairs between 30-90k, coolant leak detected at 97k, Lost engine at 104k, short block and cylinder head replaced at 104k, coolant leak at 129k and engine oil leakage from cylinder head gasket and oil at 129k, all problems as detected by Toyota dealers. After lengthy negotiation Toyota and dealership paid for the short block and cylinder head, but I had to shell over $600 for car rental during the repair period. Don't most of us buy Toyota in order to avoid all of the above? This after the fact that car was maintained at dealerships and all recommended maintenance was done.

General Comments:

- Car drives well

- Nice fit and finish

- Weird interior squeaks

- Poor reliability even after recommended maintenance

- Unsatisfactory response from the dealer on every problem issue, common comment: We have talked to Toyota Canada re, this and are awaiting a response.

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

Review Date: 4th March, 2008

8th Mar 2008, 18:51

Welcome to the "I should have bought a Ford" club. I think it is finally dawning on Americans that they've been led astray by ad hype.

9th Mar 2008, 09:18

I have a new GM and agree entirely... have had no issues and have a 100,000 mile warranty.

15th Jan 2010, 15:27

More details on your engine problem, that is the coolant leak. Appears to be a widespread problem now that they get closer to 100K miles.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/camry/148454-camry-with-stripped-head-bolts/#post1242970

19th Sep 2011, 10:48

I agree! 1997 Ford Taurus with 181k - bought new, only regular maintenance since Nov. 1996. It's been an awesome car! Ford is the way to go!

20th Sep 2011, 18:27

Our newest GM just turned 100,000 miles with not a single repair. It can't be distinguished from brand new. Our Ford turned 6 years old this month, and it has never had any problems either. Not one single repair of any kind.

Today I was looking at a co-worker's daily driver. He drives it to my office tower, and parks it near my car. It looks like brand new, and he says it runs like brand new. It turns 38 years old this month. It is an Olds Delta 88.

Japanese companies have spent billions trying to brainwash Americans that domestics are unreliable. 38 years of great service is hardly "unreliable". Of course that's still a little shy of our 100% original Pontiac. It turns 56 years old this month.

We did briefly fall for the myth and had horrible experiences with imports some years ago. Neither lasted to 100,000 miles without massive repairs. We won't even bother to look at them now.