Toyota Camry 2006 and earlier

cliffy1

I still remain skeptical but Toyotaken is citing a good source of advanced information. The issue I can see is that we have the 3.0 in so many vehicles. The Sienna is due for a change in January so I can see that model getting the new engine. But if they change the Camry engine, they also have to change the Avalon and Highlander. That's a pretty tall order for a mid-year change.

bartalk2

Yes, they'd have to change the Avalon and Highlander, besides the Camry. And don't forget the Lexus ES300. They're not going to give the Camry a 3.3 engine and leave the Lexus with a 3.0.

talon95

I subscribe to Autonews, and they've had a number of references to the next gen RX300, which according to them will be rechristened the RX330, for obvious reasons. And the ES and Camry are said to follow suit, although the only timeframe that I recall is that the RX is expected for the 2004 model year.

8u6hfd

If it's mid-year change...maybe Toyota would call it the "04 Camry...."

steveb84

A little birdy just landed on my window and let me know the following.

The V6 remains a 3.0, but becomes VVT-i. That will add approx 20 hp and 25 ft/lbs of torque.

(ES300 becomes ES330 with the new 3.3 V6)

carrelman2

When is this supposed to happen?

bartalk2

No big deal. The Avalon already has about 210 and the ES300 about 220, and neither is appreciably faster than the 192 Camry.

steveb84

Shortly after the first of the year. Not exactly sure on the timing.

dust90

The wife just bought a 2003 Camry LE, 4 cyl and it has the factory keyless entry. Has anyone installed the RS3200 Plus alarm themselves? OR,had it installed and still have the instructions. I would like to know what kind of job it is to install, before I order one. Where does the main module mount and where are the prewired plug-ins located? Any help appreciated.

tswingen

I have 157,000 miles on her and it's been all over the U.S. Yesterday she blew out something in the right front. I lost power, a horrible sound, like a flat, lost my brakes, and I was trying to accelerate getting on the freeway. Any ideas? There was no excess goop coming out anywhere. (you know there's gunk leaking out of a lot of places when you drive that much) Anyway I'm kind of mad cause I had to put a water pump on 2.5 months ago. And exhuast before that, and tires. But I know I've put 80,000 miles on it . Something was wrong with the trany too but extended warranty replaced it. Over all a good car

alpha01

Actually the Avalon and ES300 both use the 210hp version of the engine, and both are about 150lbs heavier than the V6 Camry. I think the 20 more hp will be a welcome addition, especially if it is accompanied by 25lb ft. torque.
-alpha

bartalk2

Good point. Honda, as you know, increased their 3.0 V-6 Accord from 200 to 240 this year, which takes regular fuel. I'm curious to see what engine Toyota uses with the new Solara, set to debut early next year.

coolguyky7

The Solara should have the current 4 cylinder from the Camry and the new V6. I can't imagine Toyota changing engines a year after a new model.

alpha01

The Honda Accord 2.4 4cyl and 3.0 V6 engines are LEV compliant, whereas the Camry's 2.4 4cyl and 3.0 V6 engines do one better, rated as ULEVs.

~alpha

dranzer

Does anyone have any information regarding the factory oil filter vs aftermarket filters? They look a little different and I was hoping to get some feedback for my 2002 camry. thanks.

toyotaken

Honestly, you'll get a better answer to this if you ask a toyota parts rep. but that being said, here's a bit of what I know. It depends on the aftermarket oil filter you use. Some are made very cheaply, some are better. I have used exclusively toyota filters since I've owned them since '89. From what I have seen and heard, there is alot more surface area on the toyota filters and the filter material itself is finer. That's about all I know but I'll try to get more info for you later this week when I talk to the parts people

armtdm

Well, I disagree. I used the Toyota filters for a few years when nothing else was available (92 Camry V6 was a new engine in 92 and nothing on the shelves fit it) and then switched to Amsoil filters. I noticed better oil analysis results using the Amsoil filter. I highly recommend the following brands as at least equivalent to Toyota (who makes them and will they continue to) Pure One, Mobil 1 (the best) Hastings, K&N and Amsoil. Don't believe the dealer line about others not having a drain back valve or bypass, they all do. My 92 now has 149,000 miles changed oil and filter every 7,500 using synthetic. However, Toyota filters are cheaper then the ones mentioned above. I do highly recommend using the Toyota air filters though, much better construciton and quality

8u6hfd

That's funny because the 3VZ-FE takes the same exact oil filter as the 2VZ-FE (88-91), as does most 6 and 8 cylinder engines Toyota makes.

dfong87

actually, depending on state, the 2003 2.4 I4 Honda is at least ULEV (in all States), and is SULEV/PEV(!) in CA. the 3.0 V-6 is LEV, as you state, in most states, and ULEV in CA.

xbbuster

I was at the dealer yesterday morning after leaving it there outside overnight. I went with the service mgr. for a test drive. After warming up the engine about 30 seconds (outside temp 35 deg.) he went from park to reverse (smooth), after backing out and shifting into drive (clunk). He said, "Oh that? Don't worry, that's normal, they all do that." I asked him why only from reverse to drive and not from park to reverse. He said it's because the transmission is going the opposite direction. But yet it also shifts hard from park to drive and only when the engine is cold.

dudleyr

When the engine is cold so is the tranny fluid. I don't drive auto trannys too often, but it may well be normal. Using synthetic tranny fluid may help some.

coupe3

My car has only 150 miles, but this morning when I checked the tire pressure, I noticed that the surface is not smooth on one of the rear rotor. The other three are smooth. you can feel it when you put your finger on the rotor surface. Is this normal for a new car?

armtdm

I siphoned out the brake fluid reservoir last night and refilled with new fluid. This AM the brake light is on and will not go off. Suggestions on how to reset the light as I obviously triggered a sensor somwhere. Brakes work fine

yrmac

My take on this is that when you siphoned the brake fluid with whatever tool you used, you probably touched the brake sensor on the reservoir. If you check carefully there is a piece of wiring that is attached to the brake reservoir and at the end of this connection is a clip and sensor. What you can do is detach this clip and reattched it again after few minutes. Or if this does not work, disconnect your battery terminals overnight and reconnect the terminals in the following morning. Might work...

jrct9454

Yes, it may take MANY more miles before the surfaces of the rear rotors are completely smooth. Don't worry about it. [The rears do so little of the work that it is not unusual for the pads to take a while to completely bed in, and the rotor to lose all of the surface rust and irregularities from transport and storage on the lot - no problem.]

alpha01

thanks for correcting my error- I should have been more general by stating that ALL Camrys are ULEV rated, while not ALL Accords are. That would have been safer. Credit to Honda for the SULEV 4cyl rating in CA, but a big demerit on the non-CA V6 with only LEV.

~alpha

lsac

I had installed a VIP3000 to my 98 Sienna. It was straight forward from instruction manual. Everything was included in the kit, i.e. nylon ties. It was plug and play. It had a piezo that had to be installed in beneth the fender above fender liner. That was time consuming. VIP3000 was made by Fujitsu. Fujitsu offers fax back on installation guide.

joq

Consumers Reports says what us owners already know, the new Camry quality has dropped. There are actually a lot of Korean and American cars that score better than the Camry now.

Consumer Reports spokesman said he "was surprised by the decline in scores for the Camry"

vmaturo

The last April (car)issue of CR doesn't include the Camry because of the new model changeover. But the year before it was 3rd in it's catagory, behind the Infiniti G20 and Nissan Maxima. The next issue in April will be an indication if that is so.

There may have been some issues with the new model, but I doubt that Toyota will not address them.

bamacar

According to the owners surveys sent to 4 million subscribers, they say the evidence is there that quality has declined to Average. Specifically mentioned was body integrity (i.e. fit, finish, rattles, loose interior parts). The reductions in ratings also included the Subaru Impreza and Nissan Altima. These results will be in the April 2003 issue. It has already been published in the CR New Car Preview already on the newstands.

michelle1245

I am planning on buying a Camry. After reading some of the reviews here, I'm thinking I may be better off with a Honda. Anyone out there have a comment?

masan

The local dealership informed me that the SE was not being built with the side/curtain air bag option and offered to add the air bags at the dealership. Any opinions on the quality of side/curtain air bags added at the dealership vs. factory installed?

Thanks.

tommyg12

I was told the same by two dealers in my area. It is hard to believe that you cannot get an SE with SABs. Quite frankly, I've become quite irritated at Toyota's option configs. As much as I want another Toyota I do have to admit that the new Accord EX-L has all the right standard features (leather, traction control, sab, seat heaters) at a fairly good price. Oh and the "port installed options", what is that about?

alpha01

You must take CR for no more than what its worth- one source of information. If you look in the CR New Car Guide, you'll see that the new Camry, along with the Altima, do score only average in reliability- so what? The first year versions of the Odyssey, redesigned Civic and many others show this decline. And if you look at those predicted reliability marks now, they have improved. First years of platform redesigns are always the most risky years to purchase that design-clearly, if Honda, Toyota, and Nissan fall prey to this issue, no automaker is immune!

ALSO- I'm REALLY PISSED that CR shows the side impact rating of the Camry incorrectly in that New Car Guide- check the NHTSA website, and you'll see that the 2003 Camry got 3 stars for driver protection (and 5 for rear). ALSO NOTE that NHTSA gives the Corolla a 4 star rating, with a TTI of 72. The Camry gets a 3 star rating, with a TTI of 73. Certainly, if the car *just misses* a 4 star rating, I think that the 2 star 2002 rating is anamolous.
~alpha

wmquan

ALSO- I'm REALLY PISSED that CR shows the side impact rating of the Camry incorrectly in that New Car Guide- check the NHTSA website

NHTSA released the last set of crash test results too late for CR to include it in that publication. I noticed other new NHTSA test results were not reflected in that edition.

maxamillion1

The isssue is for most 2002 model year cars, so it would only make sense to use the rating that the Camry got for the 2002 MY, now next year is a different story.

alpha01

On the publication that I read, in big, bold letters, it says 2003 New Car Guide, not 2002. The first I saw it on the newsstand was early last week. Regardless of when it went to press, the fact remains that for the Camry, among others, the information is not presented correctly. Perhaps CR should stick only to its April Auto issue, in which they do a decent job.

~alpha

wmquan

I'm afraid I disagree. CR did the right thing, even if one doesn't like the actual result.

Consumer Reports, and any other auto publication, can't help it if NHTSA is slow in coming out with test results. NHTSA still hasn't tested many 2003 models -- does that mean that all the publications should wait until all are tested? Even the Consumer Report April 2003 Auto issue wouldn't see NHTSA testing completed on 2003's!

Heck, when NHTSA announced the 2003 Camry crash test results, they also announced many more crash test results for 2002's. Meanwhile, 2003's were already in dealers' lots and in buyers' driveways.

black_tulip

Be sure to read anselmo1 "Honda Accord Quality Control Issues" May 20, 2001 4:17pm first.

maxamillion1

because wmquan hit it right on the head.

andrelaplume

Funny how CR is now the enemy when they begin to show lower marks for Toyota...personally I always questioned the high marks Toyotas had gotten anyway. After driving American for years I upgraded (?) to the Camry this year to find out for myself. My hope was to pay more up front and spend less time in the garage and drive a rattle free car! Sounds like the body integrity thing is dead on...rattles up the kuzoo! I still think the Camry has out engineered the Taurus in fuel economy, speed and handling. This Camry though is not much better than my old Merc when it comes to rattles though and if CR is reporting this then it restores some of my faith in the mag. Hopefully it will still garner the above avg repair records years from now...if not I'll be buying Fords and saving thousands for years to come.

(Also, I don't buy that first year, work the bugs out notion when it comes to rattles. Do you really think they will stop the assembly line and redesign the way the doors, seat belts, dash and radio are assembled)

a_l_hubcaps

andrelaplume-

"Do you really think they will stop the assembly line and redesign the way the doors, seat belts, dash and radio are assembled"

Well, yes. Companies do that all the time, especially companies like Toyota, who find it really embarrassing when people start complaining about creaks and rattles. For example, ask someone who owns a 2000 Ford Focus, and someone else who owns a 2003 Ford Focus, about the initial quality levels of the cars. I bet you will get a much more positive response from the 2003 owner, even though the car has been "unchanged" for four model years. When a car company gets complaints about shoddy build quality on a new model, they better do something about it. That's what they pay engineers for.

-Andrew L

Kirstie_H

A journalist from a wire service is looking for comments about heated seats - do you really love them, or really hate them, or really hate having to pay for them in an option package? Please send your thoughts and daytime contact info to jfallon@edmunds.com by Tuesday, November 12 at 2pm Eastern.
Thanks!

andrelaplume

Point taken on 2003 Focus...but those with the 2000 model year Focus are still screwed. I bought a Toyota under the guise that they new what they were doing more so than their American counter-parts. I hope you are right and Toyota is embarrassed into fixing these things. My point though is that little if anything will be done for the owners of 02 / 03 models. They can not stop the line and correct something that was inherently designed wrong. I just hope this quality issue does not work it's way into other parts of the car...time will tell. I have heard few complaints from two prior generation models of Camry's....nor did I notice any degredation in Body Integrity when the new models were introduced according to CR. So, is this 2002 rattle trap a fluke due to a drastic re-design...more so drastic than prior overhauls? Or is Toyota just starting to cut corners so as to better compete. Time will tell. Al I can say is it is embarrasing when the Folks with the $4K cheaper Taurus get in the car and hear the rattles. NOw if they come out with a TSB my feelings might change. I have found though that the foreign car companies issue TSBs few and far between. You can make the argument that is because of the higher quality of the cars but I guess I am just not as convinced. If Toyota stands for quality, prove it by acknowleging these rattles and offer solutions. You would think they learned their lesson on the sludge debacle of last year.

strager

I think the unexpected rattles are part of Toyota becoming an American company, with cars (like the Camry) designed almost exclusively for the US. I've always heard that Toyota cars which are sold mostly in the US have looser tolerances for quality compared to cars sold in high volume in Japan. The Sienna is another good example - I know it had/has body hardware problems.

badgerfan

Not only has Camry slipped in CR's latest reliability data to Average, Ford Taurus has risen to above average.

While perhaps Camry has dropped mostly because of rattles, I personnally find rattles to be one of the most irritating problems a car can have. Doesn't cause you to be stranded, but it can be there incessantly and is many times difficult to fix.

manamal

I will take a few rattles over a new tranny at 70K.

badgerfan

Bad trannies in Taurus is history and affected only a few early 90's model years. Should we bring up rustbucket Toyotas and Hondas from the 70's and 80's? One cannot base current models on long past history.

andrelaplume

I understand that bigger 6 in the Taurus is no longer a problem, or perhaps was never really a problem where as the smaller 6 was good for 50K and then it was anybody's guess as to when it would go...based on folks I knew who had the car. Also I think each year the Fords are initially reported Above average in some CR categories but over time these fall...sometimes from above Avg to worse than Avg. Pull out an old CR and look at the intitial rating for that year and compare it today's rating. Similarly, I used to drive a 95 Mystique which was reccomended by CR early on. Over time that changed. I have always found the Toyotas to be more consistent in tehse respects. I am still of the opinion that the Fords are not as bad as they are made out to be and the Toyotas not quite as good. Overall I am very hopefull though that the gap between the two companies justifies the cost difference and keeps me out of the garage more with the Camry.

masan

If the dealership is correct in saying that the SE is not being built with side air bags, then CarsDirect.com is wrong. I can put together an SE with side air bags on CarsDirect.