Toyota Camry Problems

And the car industry is not immune from being saddled with these potentially damaging problems.Apart from Ford's recent problems with brake hoses and brake booster valves on E-Gas Falcons the other ‘big two’ carmakers have had their fair share of recalls.Holden has had five recalls for its VE Commodore and Statesman range since its introduction in 2006, involving things like fuel vapor lines, fuel lines and defective valves on LPG cars.ToyotaToyota had a range of recalls for its Camry, HiLux, RAV4, Yaris and LandCruiser over the past three years. Most, like a headlight dimmer switch on a Camry, have been minor. Others, like the potential fire hazard stemming from a poorly installed insulator pad on a Yaris, raised alarm bells among some customers.NissanLast week Nissan was forced to recall 11,743 Maximas and 4972 Muranos because of a vibrating air intake in the engine bay.AudiEven the luxury German brands are not immune. Last year Audi had to recall its TT for a piece of rear side trim in its cars that unless fixed, could potentially injure passengers.Mercedes-Benz This year Mercedes-Benz has recalled its M-Class off-roader for a possible glitch in its electric rear hatch. It was also forced to recall S-Class sedans fitted with active body control because of problems with the front lower ball joints on its suspension. On some high-mileage vehicles, the front suspension could fracture on rough roads. Faulty left and right windows in the Viano van also required the replacement.BMWOf the German carmakers, BMW has fared better. It has not had a official government recall since 2006.Volvo Volvo has had three recalls this year of its S80, XC70, V70 and new XC60 for engine cooling fan problems and windscreen wiper problems with the S80 and XC70.JaguarJaguar, once widely ridiculed for its poor quality cars, has come a long way over the past few years. Jaguars these days have no less, or no more, problems with recalls than some of the other luxury brands. Last year it experienced some minor problems with the XF range involving wiring and rear seatbelts.In all cases, recalls by carmakers are handled quickly and responsibly. If you want to check out whether your vehicle has had a recall, go to www.recalls.gov.au

Toyotas have a reputation for being rugged, reliable and well built, but at the same time they’re regarded as bland and boring. The Camry is all of those. It always has been, but while it might not excite the senses it is justifiably popular with used car buyers who prefer reliable, economical motoring.Even Toyota execs admit the Camry isn’t terribly exciting. On the quiet they’ll tell you that its strongest following is among 50-somethings who rate reliability and low running costs above sexy styling and punchy performance.Toyota would love to increase Camry’s appeal to younger buyers, and the latest model boasts much more adventurous styling which should help their cause, but there were no such thoughts when the locally-assembled second generation Camry was launched in 1987.Toyota’s aim then was to win the hearts and minds of Australian families with its tried and true formula of good build quality, reliability, practicality and frugality.It proved to be a very successful formula, as evidenced by the thousands of Camrys that are still going strong today.MODEL WATCHThe Camry was first launched in 1983. It was one of the company’s first front-wheel drive cars, and was Toyota’s answer to the oil crises of the 1970s when there was a real threat to the supply of oil from the Middle East.Some car companies at the time downsized their models; others put them on a diet to make them more efficient. Toyota turned to front-wheel drive for the benefits of packaging front-wheel drive offered and produced the mid-sized family car they called Camry.The first imported Camry was a moderate success, building a loyal local following, but it was in May 1987 when Toyota switched its local production from the Corona to the all-new Camry that it really became popular.The pleasant new SV20/21 Camry was more appealing than its rather angular predecessor. It was available as a conventional three-box sedan or wagon, and had a softer, more rounded shape that was practical and provided good visibility all round which made it easy to drive and easy to park.It was heavier than most of its rivals, which made it a safer place to be in the event of a crash. The heavier construction also translated into longevity as it remained tight over time when its rivals became loose and full of creaks and groans as they aged.Inside there was plenty of room for the average Aussie family with enough features to ensure that it was comfortable. Air-conditioning was optional. Cloth trim was pleasant and hard wearing and has stood up to the ravages of time and temperature quite well.Power steering was also optional on early models, and the steering effort on those cars is a little high. Later cars came standard with power steering and are much more pleasant to drive.Initially the base model had a 1.8-litre single overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine and single-point fuel injection that was miserly if not overly powerful, which meant performance was modest rather than racy.Despite this it was reliable and cheap to run which made them particularly popular with families and older customers who appreciated its outstanding practicality and economy of operation.For those wanting more there was a 2.0-litre twin overhead camshaft engine with multi-point fuel-injection which was optional on the base model but standard on the upper levels and was the pick of the Camry engines.A 1989 update brought improved handling and a 2.0-litre carburettor engine in place of the 1.8-litre base engine of the earlier model.The last update of the second generation Camry was in 1991 when the 2.0-litre twin cam engine became standard on all models. Look for the extended front spoiler and the now familiar Toyota badge that replaced the Toyota name on the grille.The neat Camry gave way to the “Wide Body” model in 1993IN THE SHOPLittle goes wrong with the SV20/21 Camry as long as it is regularly serviced.Most are looking neat and tidy on the road despite entering the twilight of their motoring lives with odometer readings now reaching well into the 200,000 km region.The engines are generally robust, but the cam timing belt must be replaced at around 100,000 km intervals. Cam belt tensioners also need attention as they wear and the belt can easily jump a tooth or two and then you can be in deep trouble with the potential for extensive internal damage.The auto and manual gearboxes give little trouble, but noisy drive shafts are not uncommon.Overall oil leaks are not generally a problem, although it is not uncommon to find oil leaks from the power steering.LOOK FOR• Pleasant styling that has aged well• Peppy performance of 2.0-litre twin cam fuel-injected engine• Good build quality• Impressive reliability• Roomy accommodation for family• Ideal first car for young drivers starting out

The Camry has often been the subject of derision and scorn, rarely has it been an object of desire. It has come to be the car we know deep down we should own, but could never bring ourselves to buy.Toyota has built an enviable reputation, and market leadership, on the back of the reliability and durability of its cars, but those things alone are not enough to entice buyers into dealerships. For anyone with petrol running through his or her veins it also takes a healthy measure of emotion, something Toyota generally lacks.The Camry has reliability and durability in bucket loads, but there’s not a lot about it that gets the juices flowing. It’s the safe bet, one you probably won’t regret, but it’s not the car you want to talk about when standing around the barbie.The wide-bodied Camry was a popular car in the 1990s, but did little to endear the badge to buyers looking for a car they could brag about. It was a frumpy four-door, one you parked out of sight rather than in your driveway. It seems that Toyota got the message as the 20th century steamed to an end and began to take more interest in styling.Perhaps there was a realization that they had to appeal to a broader range of buyers if they were to conquer the world as they hoped to do. Whatever the reason, today’s Camrys are much more attractive, with bold flowing lines and nicely balanced proportions.The Series 30 Camry was launched in 2002 and brought with it a tighter look with well-defined lines and an aggressive front end that included wildly sweeping headlights. It was a bold statement from the company that tended to lurk out of sight in the shadows when it came to automotive styling.The Camry’s power choices were a new locally-produced 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four that was packed with plenty of technology, like Toyota’s VVTi variable valve timing system that gave it smooth pulling power right through the rev range. When stretched to the limit it would produce 112 kW at 5600 revs and 218 Nm at 4000 revs. The alternative was a 3.0-litre double overhead camshaft V6 that produced 141 kW at 5200 revs and 279 Nm at 4000 revs.While most Camrys would have left showrooms with the four-speed auto in the tunnel, it was also possible to have a five-speed manual gearbox.Underneath, the suspension wasn’t earth shatteringly new, with struts front and rear, but worked very well. Local tuning by Toyota’s engineers ensured it handled our roads well; with admirable ride comfort and reassuring handling even over rough surfaces.Likewise, the power steering was well weighted and accurate, and the brakes, a combination of ventilated front discs and solid rears, with ABS oversighting the action, were positive and powerful.There’s plenty of room inside the Camry for a family of five, it’s well equipped and comfortable.The Camry does duty in the toughest arenas, the non-caring world of the fleet car and the school and supermarket runs of mum and the kids, so look for collateral damage from the bump and run of daily life. Bumps and scrapes on body extremities are commonplace, it’s part of the Camry’s natural environment. Nothing looks worse than body scaring and it’s costly to repair. They also tell a tale of how well the car has been treated. If it’s scarred on the outside there’s a good chance it’s scarred on the inside.Check for a service record and make sure the engine oil has been regularly changed. There’s nothing nicer for an engine than fresh oil, sludge build-up is the engine’s natural enemy. The four-cylinder Camry engine has a timing chain so there’s no servicing required until it starts to rattle, but that won’t happen until way into the upper reaches of the odometer. The V6 does have a belt that requires changing at around 150,000 km.Build quality is high, all parts fit together well and stay together over the life of the car, so you don’t tend to find things fall apart or off the Camry in service.The capable chassis with precise steering and powerful brakes presented a convincing primary safety argument for the Camry, and with dual front airbags, plus side airbags there was plenty of protection when the metal started crumpling.Size hampers the Camry when it comes to pump performance. The four-cylinder cars will do 10-11 L/100 km around town and a little better on the highway, while the V6 models will consume on average 1.5 litres more.Ron Flint bought his 2005 Camry in 2007. He had hired a Camry while on holiday and was so impressed with its performance, economy, easy handling and features that he bought one when he got back home. The Camry had done 5000 km when he bought it to replace his 200,000 km Falcon, which had blown a head gasket.Eric Deakin bought his 2005 Camry Ateva V6 seven months ago having done 97,000 km, and reckons it’s the best car he has owned in more than 60 years of motoring. He says it is a well-built, well-appointed and very roomy car, which has excellent performance. So far he has found no faults at all with it and would happily recommend it to anyone.Rex Manuel bought his 2003 Camry Ateva four-cylinder second hand in 2005. He is happy with the Camry’s roominess and its generous boot, but misses the performance of the Ford Fairmont he owned previously.• Sharp looks.• Reliable mechanical package• Good performance• Smooth drivability• Good resale valueWell-engineered, well-built, the Camry is robust and reliable, great transport for families.