Toyota Camry 5th Generation 2002-2006 (XV30) Review

The fifth-generation Camry was facelifted in 2005 with varying changes for the different trims. Some new features were also installed in the cabin of all trims, together with the introduction of a new automatic transmission - and ABS across the range. The V6 was introduced one year before the facelift.

Changes to the front of the fifth-generation Toyota Camry are relatively subtle as they consist of a new chrome grille design for all trims¹, together with a revised lower front bumper featuring a larger trapezoidal central air dam accompanied by two smaller faux air intakes at the side² that act as housings for the foglights if present³. The headlights have also been redesigned⁴.

Changes to the rear are even subtler, with the biggest difference being the new taillights¹.

From the side, you can get a peek at the new steel wheel covers and alloy-wheel designs¹ as well as the new front bumper² and head³- and taillight⁴ designs.

For the revised range, Toyota fitted a new steering wheel with repositioned multifunction buttons¹ and a new center-console storage bin located below the HVAC controls². Chrome finishes are also applied to the door handles3, gear selector⁴, and other components.

Throughout the 5th-generation Camry's lifespan, three engine options were available with three transmission choices. The base models feature a 2AZ-FE 2.4-liter inline four available with your choice of a standard five-speed manual or optional U241E four-speed automatic. The higher-tier models were sold with a 1MZ-FE 3.0-liter V6 which could only be had with the U140E four-speed automatic. In 2004, the 3MZ-FE 3.3-liter V6 with a U151E five-speed automatic transmission was introduced to the range for the SE trim. One year after this, the five-speed replaced the older four-speed self-shifter on all engines with the 1MZ inheriting the 151E and the inline-four sporting the U250E. All powertrains see changes in power outputs as the years go on. In 2006, this is because of the revised Society of Automotive Engineers testing procedure.

The 5th-generation Camry range doesn't produce massively different gas-consumption figures across its three powertrain configurations. The most frugal of the batch is the 2.4-liter inline four with the five-speed automatic transmission boasting an EPA-rated 21/31/25 mpg for the city/highway/combined cycles. The heaviest of the batch is the 3.0-liter four-speed automatic with its 18/26/21 mpg estimates. Looking at real-world combined mpg figures sourced from owners whose driving cycles are not monitored by the EPA and may use wildly varying driving styles in uncontrolled environments, it appears as if the 2.4-liter manual option may be the most frugal with its 29.1 mpg figure. The 3.3-liter V6 option boasts the lowest figure at 21 mpg. All Toyota Camrys have a gas tank size of 18.5 gallons.

The 5th-gen Toyota Camry's main rival is the seventh-generation Honda Accord which is available with a 2.4-liter inline-four and 3.0-liter V6 option as well. These engines deliver 23/31/26 mpg and 19/27/22 mpg estimates, respectively, which puts it at somewhat of an advantage over the Camry.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

When the fifth-generation Toyota Camry was crash tested by the NHTSA, it delivered impressive results for its era in the frontal impacts with five stars for both the driver and passenger. In the side-barrier crash test, the driver was awarded four stars while the rear passenger saw a three-star rating. Four stars are awarded for the rollover test with an 11.1% rollover risk.

All Toyota Camry 5th-generation models come standard with daytime running lights and front driver and passenger multi-stage airbags. The XLE and all V6 models add ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, an anti-theft security system with an alarm, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass. ABS with EBD, traction and stability control, and side and curtain airbags are optionally available for all trims.

Five trims were created for the fifth-generation Toyota Camry range of which only three were available throughout its entire lifespan. These include the LE, SE, and XLE. The Standard and Limited Edition trims are introduced to enhance the appeal of the sedan at different points during its time on the market. With the Toyota Camry XV30 being a fairly prestigious product in the Toyota stable, all models offer a reasonable list of standard features, apart from the Base, which was decontented to make it more accessible.

The fifth-generation Toyota Camry offers 39.2 inches of headroom and 41.6 inches of legroom in the front row, with 38.4 inches of headroom and 37.8 inches of legroom for the rear bench. The front offers enough space to accommodate even those taller than 6'2", while the rear is more suited to those in the five-foot-nine region. Generous trunk space of 16.7 cubic feet is standard across all trims and offers more than enough space for four medium suitcases. This makes it an adequate choice for a family vehicle.

Storage compartments included across all trims other than the Standard consist of a center-console armrest with dual storage, an overhead sunglass holder, 60/40-split fold-down rear seats with security locks, a lockable illuminated glovebox, a covered bi-level center-console compartment, three front cupholders, and a fold-down rear center armrest with dual cupholders.

Many owners criticize the fifth-generation Toyota Camry for having a bland interior design and ambiance and there have been some complaints about the cabin quality, particularly surrounding the plastic trim, of which there is a lot, and the leather upholstery.

A minor lubrication service for the Toyota Camry should take place every 5,000 miles. A new cabin air filter ($37) is needed every 15,000 miles. The $42 engine air filter's replacement is scheduled to take place every 30,000 miles. The 1MZ and 3MZ powertrains will need to have their timing belt ($74) changed at 90,000-mile intervals, while an engine coolant drain, flush, and refill needs to happen every 100,000 miles. Spark plugs ($45-$80) need to be replaced every 120,000 miles. Toyota does not prescribe a service interval for its automatic transmissions, but ideally, the fluid should be replaced and the filter cleaned every 60,000 miles. A major 60,000-mile service for the inline-four is likely to cost $890 at an independent workshop and $1,210 at a dealer. For the V6, it will be $1,530 at a private shop and $2,000 at a dealership.

An oil and filter change for the inline-four and V6 engines will cost $170 at a private workshop and $331 at the dealership. If you wish to do it yourself, you'll need to spend $55 on four quarts of 5W-30 engine oil and a filter for the 2AZ. The 1MZ and 3MZ use the same oil type as the 2AZ but have a larger oil capacity of five quarts, which means you'll have to spend $65 for oil and a filter.

The fifth-generation Toyota Camry is a fairly problem-free car but you do need to be on the lookout for oil sludge and unintended acceleration problems. 2002 to 2006 Toyota Camry recalls are far and few as they only consist of the following:

• The 2002 to 2004 Toyota Camry was subject to the Takata airbag recall, which covers the curtain and both front bags.
• The 2004 and 2005 Toyota Camry V6 models were recalled for a bad engine crankshaft pulley due to an inadequate amount of adhesive applied to the outer ring and torsional rubber damper which could cause the part to misalign, resulting in internal damage.
• The 2004 and 2005 Toyota Camry models with the electrically adjustable seats were recalled for a seatbelt buckle status switch that fails to register the mass of a child seat.

No recalls were issued for problems with the Toyota Camry's transmission, acceleration, or steering.

OBDII codes that you can expect to encounter in the fifth-generation Toyota Camry include the following:

• Camshaft-position sensor-related faults in the Toyota Camry will be highlighted by the P0010, P0012, P0016, P0018, P0341, P0335, P0345, P1035, and P1360 codes.
• Oxygen sensor-related problems in the Toyota Camry are highlighted by the P0031, P0032, P0037, P0051, P0131, P0134, P0135, P0136, P0137, P0138, P0141, P0142, P0143, P0155, P2238, and P2241 fault codes. If the Toyota Camry is struggling with air-fuel ratio problems, you will see the P0128, P0170, P0174, P1130, P1135, P1150, or P2340 fault codes.
• If you see the P0101, P0102, P0107, P0171, or P0171b fault codes, your Toyota Camry is struggling with mass air flow sensor problems.
• Air intake system and sensor-related problems in the Toyota Camry are signified by the P0110, P0113, P0242, or P1030 fault codes.
• Coolant and cooling-system problems will bring up the P0115, P0117, P0125, or P1122 fault codes on the Toyota Camry.
• Throttle position sensor (TPS) problems are covered by the P0120, P0121, P0122, P0124, P1125, P1127, or P1128 fault codes. A bad accelerator pedal reading will result in the P1120 fault code.
• Knock sensor problems in the Toyota Camry are highlighted by the P0325, P0330, and P1333 fault codes.
• P0001 indicates a fault with the fuel pressure sensor.
• P0210 means that there is an injector circuit malfunction.
• You'll be greeted by the P0500 or P1275 fault codes if there is a problem with the vehicle's speed sensor.
• If the incorrect immobilizer key is detected by the ECU, you'll see the P0513 code.
• A faulty ECU will bring up the P0606, P0607, or P1100 fault codes.
• The P1280 code means that the pressure from the fuel injector is bad.

Less common issues that you can expect to experience in the 2002 to 2006 Toyota Camry range include oxygen-sensor and taillight wiring-harness problems, the latter resulting in the P1520 fault code. You may also have problems with the Toyota Camry's idle-control valve, power steering pump, ignition coil and switch, starter relay, a no-crank non-starting condition, and passenger-side motor-mount vibrations. Ignition-coil problems will be signified by the P0340, P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354, P0360, P1310, P1315, and P1330 fault codes. If you defer oil-change services on the U140E four-speed or U250E five-speed automatic transmissions, you can expect problems with the torque converter, gear shifting, slipping gears, and reverse gear. If there is a fault with the automatic transmission, you'll be greeted by the P0741, P0765, P0770, P0776, P0793, P1730, or P1710 fault codes. These transmissions are very reliable if properly maintained, however,

It is unlikely that you will experience any problems with the following sectors of the fifth-generation Toyota Camry:

• You are unlikely to experience problems with the Toyota Camry's suspension, ABS module, or brake-proportioning valve.
• The Toyota Camry is not known to struggle with problems relating to the heater/heating or air-conditioner, while air-conditioning/AC compressor problems are rare too.
• Problems with the Toyota Camry's alarm theft system, automatic electrical power window, driver power door lock, or sunroof/moonroof are not commonly noted.
• Any under-hood are not very likely.
• In common with the reliable auto 'boxes, the Toyota Camry should not have problems with its manual transmission, clutch pedal, or shifter either.
• The Toyota Camry should not suffer from engine problems with the head gasket, catalytic converter, throttle body, throttle position sensor, alternator, belt tensioner, fuel pump, coolant system, or water pump.
• You shouldn't expect any electric problems with the Toyota Camry's computer, ECU, cruise control, instrument cluster, speedometer, or radio.

There's no engine that we would say is outright problematic in the fifth-generation Toyota Camry, but based on the continuous oil consumption, it may be best to give the 2AZ inline-four a pass. We'd also advise giving the four-speed automatic transmission a pass because it is not as refined as the newer five-speed. Ideally, you should avoid any cars that do not have the ABS package fitted as standard, as this is a crucial safety feature. If cars have not been maintained professionally and regularly, it would be best to give them a skip too. This is particularly true if the automatic transmission has not been serviced every 60,000 miles.

Based on reliability and refinement, the 3MZ-FE found in the SE trim is the most resilient powertrain choice and comes standard with the traction and stability control combination. It is only available with the five-speed automatic, which may not appeal to driving enthusiasts, but if well-maintained, it should be a dependable self-shifter. Only consider models with a full maintenance history conducted by professionals.

The XV30-generation Toyota Camry is not the most exciting variation but it certainly does nail things in the reliability and interior-space departments. Thanks to low running costs and very generous interior space, the Camry is a sedan that can easily be used as a family vehicle. All trims are also fairly generously kitted out with comfort and convenience features, making it an equally accessible and comfortable used choice.