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!

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!! : (