Faults:

Belt tensioner.

Water pump (warranty).

General Comments:

We really enjoyed the car, decent power, good mileage, comfortable, big trunk and decent handling. Very few problems other than the water pump, which didn't fail, just started weeping.

The dealer noticed and repaired right away at 80,000km. We would not have gotten rid of it, other than we needed something to tow trailers with.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

So far in the last 10 years, I have ONLY changed tires, spark plugs and generic things, on my 2002 Camry LE.

The car does 0-69mph in 7.5 seconds, and it's amazing on gas, especially on highways.

I cannot believe it when people say they have sooo many issues with their Toyota Camry, I tell them it's a USER PROBLEM, not a car problem :)

Faults:

I am the original owner and the 2002 Toyota Camry XLE is a wonderful car except for 3 annoying things:

1) The sunroof doesn't fully open, 2) the engine knocks and 3) the drivers side window will not handle the "open just a crack" command, but rather always goes down fully and makes me play with it to get it to just be open an inch.

I took the car to the dealership while it was still under warranty for all those, and was told that the sunroof is open as far as it goes, the window is user error, and that they can't find the source of the engine knocking, so I have to wait for it to turn on a warning light or breakdown.

I find all of those reasons lacking credibility.

I change my oil regularly at 3000 miles and use regular unleaded gasoline.

I have learned to live with the issues and don't commute as long as I used to so it doesn't bother me as much anymore. I'm considering trading it in, if I can find a great deal, but it's hard to justify the expense in this economy.

Faults:

Push button for hazard lights has popped into dash.

Alternator went bad at 70,000 miles.

Both gear shift lights, on dash and floor mounted lever no longer light up.

Drivers door latch went bad - inside of door.

No battery saver function for interior lights, as battery has drained for leaving light on. A 2002 $28,000 car should have this.

1-electric window motor.

Oil leak from transmission cooling line.

A/C leaks coolant - but no leak can be found.

The seat materials are worn, much more than 122,000 mile car should look. I have no children and I am only 120-lbs.

General Comments:

Over all I am happy with this car. Just too costly for what I got.

My old Audi had 50-x the trouble.

Faults:

(1) The windshield cracked from -15C cold.

(2) The paint on the front of the hood chips easily. Had to get an aftermarket spray paint to cover up the chips.

General Comments:

I upgraded from the 4th generation Camry to this 5th generation, also with 5 speed transmission. It feels like a completely different car. It's the most reliable car I ever had. In 1.5 years of ownership absolutely nothing has gone wrong with it. I just change the oil myself.

Well with the exception of the windshield cracking all the way on the passenger's side. Happened this winter and the car was in the garage. The temperature hit -16C and I wonder if that's what did it, although it doesn't make sense.

Mechanically, it has been very reliable. I changed the brakes on it once. Just scanned codes the other day - no codes.

I love the way the manual transmission shifts, much better than the previous generation Camry. Smooth.

The power is very good and so is the MPG. I get 31MPG on highway only and mid-20's in mixed driving.

It's easy to work on. I changed the alternator belt on it and it wasn't that hard.

The interior is good. Handling is good.

The AC is so-so, nowhere near as cold as it is in say Subaru, but it might just need a recharge.

Nothing ever breaks on it so I hardly ever use my tools anymore. It just runs like a fridge.

My biggest disappointment with the Camry is that Toyota in its infinite wisdom dropped the station wagon way back in the 90's. I don't really want a sedan. I don't want an SUV, I wish they made a Camry station wagon with 5 speed.

What I heard on a forum (but not experienced myself) is that the automatic transmission can be troublesome, not shift right. No catastrophic failure however. Manual is far more reliable. If getting an auto, better test drive it carefully and change the fluids often.

I am not just picking on Toyota, many makers, both domestic and imports have issues with autos, even in brand new expensive cars.