Recognized as the most popular business class car in the CIS countries. The V40 model was presented to the public back in 2006. Its production lasted 5 years and was discontinued in 2011, when the Toyota Camry V50 was released. But the relevance of the model does not decrease even today, because excellent quality, reliability and unsurpassed comfort will always attract car enthusiasts.
Until 2009, the Toyota Camry v40 configuration was produced exclusively in a sedan body. Then the designers finalized and updated the appearance of the Crown. The chrome radiator grille has become more voluminous. The fog lights also received a chrome edging, quite massive, it should be said. Under the rear license plate, just below the turn signal indicators, a chrome strip appeared, on which the rear view camera was conveniently located. In general, these changes can hardly be called global. But, nevertheless, they are clearly visible to fans of the Toyota Camry and were highly appreciated by both experts and amateurs.
All Toyota Camry v40 cars are equipped with high-profile tires 215/60 R16. The tires are really good, so you definitely won’t have to “change the shoes” of the car, even if you buy the cheapest equipment.
The new Camry's drag coefficient has dropped to 0.28 - the difference is not big, but it has a very positive effect on fuel consumption. The wheelbase has increased by 55 mm, the remaining dimensions remain unchanged.
Interior and equipment of Toyota Camry v40
The main advantage of Toyota among cars of its class and price category is that the driver can adjust the position of the steering column in all directions. Another plus is that the standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control and 6 airbags. The standard radio on the Toyota Camry v40 is a CD changer - 6 discs, 6 speakers.
Additional equipment includes cruise control and electric front seats. It is also possible to purchase a car with a leather interior. Along with updating the design of the car, a proprietary navigation system in Russian with a touch screen and a hard drive with a memory capacity of 10 GB appeared.
The increase in the wheelbase gave the legs of the rear row passengers an additional 40 mm. Buyers of the Premium trim can enjoy an updated rear bench that is conveniently split in a 40/20/40 split. Each part moves independently, the backrests are independently adjustable. Other Toyota trim levels are equipped with a sofa, which is divided in a 60/40 ratio.
The luggage compartment volume is 535 liters. If you fold the rear row of seats, the trunk size almost doubles.
More on the topic:
Toyota Camry v40 technical specifications
The base engine for the European version of the Toyota Camry v40 is a four-cylinder petrol power unit with a displacement of 2.4 liters and a power of 167 horsepower. Torque - 224 N.M. This engine differs from its predecessor in lightweight pistons, which makes it possible to increase the compression ratio. This power unit can be equipped with a manual or automatic five-speed gearbox. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, the maximum speed limit is 210 km.
The second version of the power unit is a 3.5-liter gasoline engine with a power of as much as 277 “horses”! Torque - 346 N.M. The engine is combined with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual control mode. Acceleration to “hundreds” occurs in 7.4 seconds, and the car can be accelerated to a maximum of 230 km.
Both engine options are equipped with a timing chain drive. Since the Toyota Corporation pays enough attention to protecting the environment, all engines installed in modern cars of this brand fully comply with the high environmental standards of Euro 4.
Lu Toyota Camry v40
Technical characteristics and features directly depend on its configuration. Let's consider the options offered by the manufacturer.
- “Comfort” - an option with an affordable price. The 2.4L engine is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. The upholstery is fabric. Equipment - halogen lights, standard radio, climate control, heated front row of seats.
- “Comfort Plus” - in this configuration, the manual gearbox was replaced by an automatic transmission. Additional equipment includes optics washers.
- “Elegance” - the technical characteristics of the car remained unchanged. But the prestige of the interior was positively influenced by the leather upholstery. Additionally, the position of the front row of seats is now adjusted not manually, but by electric drive. Added parking sensors Toyota Camry v40.
- “Prestige” - here there is already complete “stuffing”. Xenon optics and a directional stabilization system have been added to the existing characteristics of the previous version. Perhaps it was possible to “shove in” something else, but with a 2.4 liter engine it would not be rational. So, we can confidently say that the declared cost of this option fully corresponds to its capabilities.
- “Lux” - in this configuration a power unit with a displacement of 3.5 liters appeared, inside of which 277 “horses” were hidden. A 6-speed automatic transmission allows you to experience all the delights of driving a car with such technical characteristics. Compared to the previous version of the assembly, a curtain has been added to the rear window and the ability to adjust the back and sides of the rear seats. The salon is decorated with wood-like decorative elements.
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Toyota Camry in the 40th body, or, as it is often called, “forty”, was produced from 2006 to 2011, and now it is a fairly popular car on the secondary market. It appeals to those drivers who value a solid exterior, reliability, unpretentiousness and inexpensive operation: in this parameter, the Japanese sedan is ahead of most competitors. But even such a time-tested model has weaknesses that you should pay attention to when purchasing and at the very beginning of operation in order to avoid costly repairs. This is especially important given the fact that the cost of the Toyota Camry xv40 on the secondary market has huge differences: the cheapest copies (usually broken up) can be found for 350-385 thousand rubles, and the most expensive ones for 800. On average, this model They offer for 550-600 thousand.
Power units
In truth, legendary reliability is characteristic only of the Toyota Camry with a 2.4 engine (167 hp, marked 2AZ-FE) - it is paired with a five-speed Aisin U250E/U151E gearbox, sometimes the latter is labeled as Aisin 95-51LS. Japanese-assembled cars were often equipped with the U250E, while Russian-assembled cars were often equipped with the U151E. Both modifications are considered successful; such automatic transmissions are capable of traveling 300 thousand kilometers without repair, and with timely replacement of filters and oils and careful operation, the service life can be 500-600 thousand kilometers or more.
Things are much worse with the 3.5 engine (277 hp), labeled 2GR FE, and the six-speed automatic transmission U660E. There are many cases where the gearbox failed and required expensive repairs (from 60,000 rubles and above). Two factors contribute to breakdowns: sharp starts from traffic lights, which are harmful for any automatic transmission, as well as long-term non-stop driving on the highway at high speeds - this is especially harmful for the six-speed U660E gearbox. Due to the shortcomings of the cooling system, the box quickly overheats. This problem can be partly solved by installing an additional cooling radiator, but experts still recommend making at least short stops every 2 hours of driving along the highway. Also, due to the poor design of the gearbox itself, the solenoids, selector position board, temperature sensor, rear cover and other elements often wear out, and overheating also greatly contributes to this. But even if you only drive around the city and carefully, it is not at all a fact that you will avoid the mentioned problems!
Based on this, we recommend that you purchase a “magpie” only with a 2.4 engine. As practice shows, its power is quite enough even for such a weighty car. When driving on the highway, you will feel confident and will be able to overtake quite easily. The 3.5 engine does not provide any special advantages, but it increases the potential investment in repairs. In addition, copies with 3.5 were more often purchased by fans of racing and sudden starts from traffic lights, and therefore the chances of encountering a whole, not “battered” car are much lower compared to 2.4.
By the way, the consumption on cars with 2.4 and 3.5 engines is almost the same. With moderate quiet driving around the city, it ranges from 12 to 14 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, depending on the length of the routes and the number of traffic lights. In winter with warm-ups - 14-16 liters. Note that Toyota Camry in the 40th body works great on. In summer, approximately 14-15.5 liters of gas are consumed, in winter - 16-16.5 (provided that a cold car is warmed up on gasoline).
The engines themselves are quite reliable and are not prone to "". Oil consumption is up to 1 liter per 10,000 kilometers. Higher performance is sometimes observed on 3.5 engines with high mileage, especially among drivers with an aggressive driving style.
Body
The weak point of the Toyota Camry xv40 body can be called the hood and front bumper. The front bumper skirt often suffers when hitting curbs; also in such cases, the bumper mounts are easily deformed, causing noticeable gaps to appear. Sometimes the bumper can literally be pushed into place with the pressure of a finger, but this measure solves the problem before the first serious road bump. As for the hood, it quickly becomes covered with small chips when driving on the highway. The hood deflector helps only partially; in any case, we recommend occasionally visiting a body shop and filling the chips with paint to avoid the development of corrosion. All other elements of the body are quite durable - although, of course, a car that is 8-10 years old or more will have many small scratches and chips. We also note plastic thresholds - a very good solution, it will save you from regular touch-ups after winter, especially if you live in a region where roads are treated with aggressive reagents in the cold season.
By the way, one more nuance: the headlights are prone to fogging in the rain and after washing. Oddly enough, this happens even on completely intact headlights that have no visible physical damage. Fogging is likely due to micro-gaps or design flaws. The headlights do not require repair, but it is still an unpleasant moment.
Salon
The velor interior has an unsightly appearance, but it hardly deteriorates over time: even on cars with 300,000 miles, it looks quite fresh. But the leather interior wears out quite a bit after 100 thousand kilometers - in this regard, the Japanese car is significantly inferior to the “Germans”. By 200 thousand, not only creases, but also the first cracks may appear. To extend the life of the skin, you need to periodically treat it with special lotions, especially at times of sudden temperature changes - before and after winter.
Also, car buyers should pay attention to the operation of heated seats: the contact on the front passenger seat often breaks, causing the heating to stop functioning. But the seat adjustment almost never fails, which, of course, does not eliminate the need to check it when purchasing.
Skin after cleansing. Photo – Drive2
An important detail: the center console in the cabin begins to creak after 100,000 miles, but this problem can be easily solved by specialists. And the cause of non-working cigarette lighters is most often burnt fuses - experts can replace them in a couple of minutes and several hundred rubles.
Technical elements
Toyota Camry xv40 suspension It is distinguished by its softness and “omnivorous”, most of its elements can withstand 100 thousand mileage or more, even with low quality road surfaces. Sometimes the suspension is called indestructible, although with proper “skill” and the number of holes, of course, it requires repair. Most often, the racks also need to be replaced. A new shock absorber costs about 7,000 rubles; high-quality analogues can be purchased for about 4,500 rubles. Racks cost about 2000-2500 rubles for the original and 1000-1500 rubles for analogues.
Other expensive car parts worth mentioning: valve train chain– its service life is approximately 300 thousand kilometers, after which it requires replacement. Another common problem is a broken steering cable. Replacement is quite expensive - up to 6,500 rubles including labor. If there is damage to the cable, the control buttons on the steering wheel are initially unstable; they may not respond to presses at all or respond “every once in a while.” If the problem gets worse, the cruise control will stop functioning. Although practice shows that for some owners, after the first problems with the cable appeared, several years and 50-70 thousand mileage passed until it was significantly damaged and there was no cruise control.
Also, when purchasing a Toyota Camry in the 40 body, we recommend paying close attention to the protection systems. This car is not only in great demand among theft specialists, but in general it is easily stolen due to the poor location of the electronic engine control unit. Therefore, it is highly desirable that the vehicle you are interested in has a high-quality interactive alarm system, an immobilizer or a hood/gearbox lock, as well as a GSM module. Without at least 2 of the security elements mentioned above, there will be enormous risks of theft.
And the last detail: don't rate this car based on. The fact is that specialists calculate the mileage on a Toyota Camry in a matter of minutes, and in the future they will not be able to reliably determine it even at an official service center. You can, of course, calculate the estimated mileage by the number of engine hours, headlight operating time, and other less popular methods, but often this does not make sense. Much more important is the general condition of the car, interior and paintwork. With careful operation, the "magpie" even after 300-400 thousand mileage looks acceptable and does not require any special expenses. And if young Schumachers used it, then for 200 thousand it could turn into a “bucket”. Be careful when inspecting the car, take an expert with you or go with the owner to a service station, check all body elements with a thickness gauge and pay attention to the details that we described in the article. Happy shopping!
What was wrong with us?
In 2017, we bought a ten-year-old Toyota Camry in the 40 body with a 2.4 engine. The initial investment required replacing oils and filters, as well as replacing two xenon ignition units - the headlights periodically went out.
After six months of operation, an oil leak was discovered from the gearbox. An inspection at a service station showed no serious problems, but it was necessary to replace the oil pan plug and the oil drain washer, which had become “stiff” and shriveled due to age. The cost of these spare parts is 120 and 60 rubles, respectively. The work of the craftsmen was more expensive, because... To replace these parts, it was necessary to drain and replace the oil from the automatic transmission sump, or find a perfectly clean reservoir and then fill the same oil back.
Also, during the maintenance of the gas equipment, a small crack was discovered on the rubber pipe of the crankcase ventilation (price - 700 rubles). The pipe has been replaced.
In general, the car did not require serious investments, and some parts had to be changed due to natural wear and tear
Best regards, Sergey Petrov.
Toyota Camry XV 40, sixth generation. Years of production (2006-2011)
In Russia, cars with 2.4 and 3.5 liter engines were presented, with automatic and manual gearboxes. Powers ranged from 167 hp. up to 277 hp, which in principle was acceptable for this type of car. The model was quite dynamic, but not too voracious with adequate operation. If the owner gave free rein to his right leg, then the consumption could easily exceed 14-15 liters in the city. Probably the main drawback in the engine line is the lack of diesel options.
Whether this is a design flaw or a miscalculation of the engineers who installed an automatic transmission not designed for a powerful 3.5 V 6 is difficult to say. There is another guess: perhaps when assembling automatic transmissions at other Toyota factories around the world, parts of lower quality than Japanese ones are used, so those who are lucky enough to purchase a purebred version drive half a million km without problems, while others have to stop by for service and leave it at them their hard earned money.
Signs of an automatic transmission problem: throttle shifting when switching from 3rd to 4th gear, and extraneous sounds may be observed while driving in a not warmed-up gearbox.
The reason, as experts say, is the loss of oil pressure due to the destruction of the support bearing and wear of the clutches.
There are almost never any questions regarding the automatic gearbox for the 2.4 liter engine. The more rare the problems.
EngineV 6, errorCheckV.S.C.System
A fairly common mistake on 3.5 liter engines. Basically, as the owners of the XV 40 say, there is no need to worry; there are often cases when the error disappears on its own after a certain time; the VSC sensor can make itself felt due to technical shortcomings of the system.
If after a while the error does not go away, but the car drives normally, check the sensor itself. It may need to be replaced.
If the engine is unstable and the indicator lights up, the ignition coil will have to be replaced.
They also write on the forums that they managed to “solve” the error problem by replacing the battery.
Cooling pump
With a mileage of 80,000-100,000 km, the cooling system pump may fail. The problem is solved by replacing it with a new one.
Drive belt tensioners
Also considered one of the weak points. They will warn about their imminent “death” with a quiet clicking sound. This usually happens with a mileage of 90-110 thousand km.
Bendix starter
If, when starting a cooled engine, you hear a metallic grinding sound, most likely the starter overrunning clutch (Bendix) is to blame. This happens due to thickening of the lubricant.
Suspension
The suspension, like the entire car as a whole, is indestructible. The main problem parts are the front and rear stabilizer bushings, which give themselves away with a characteristic creaking sound when driving over uneven surfaces.
Noise insulationCamry XV40
Another miscalculation that some owners talk about reproachfully is the car’s poor sound insulation. The engine compartment, doors and arches transmit too many extraneous sounds.
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Average cost and average mileageToyota Camry XV40 |
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|
Year |
Average cost |
Mileage (according to the indicated owners) |
|
2006 |
550.000 |
150.000 |
|
2007 |
600.000 |
130.000 |
|
2008 |
650.000 |
100.000 |
|
2009 |
700.000 |
95.000 |
|
2010 |
750.000 |
85.000 |
|
2011 |
800.000 |
79.000 |
Result:
If you are looking for a reliable car in the mid-price category, the previous generation Camry is your choice. How pre-restyling version, as well as the model produced from 2009 to 2011, are excellent for use in style, minimum cost, maximum driving pleasure.
The most acceptable option is with a 2.4 liter engine and automatic transmission. This model combines the same legendary reliability and high level of comfort.
In the mid-90s, only class E cars were considered B business class, but by the beginning of the 2000s, the classification had lost its way. There are simply no “non-premium” cars of this class left, but the D-class has grown in size so much that at first it began to be called D+, and then it turned out that it is most convenient to call this class of cars “mid-size or business class,” by analogy with the American classification . So everyone understands what we are talking about.
In Russia, large, but not particularly “premium” cars were bought for personal use, for corporate fleets, and for the needs of middle and senior officials. Today we will talk about a car that for a long time became the face of the class and the best-selling car among its kind in Russia for many years - the Toyota Camry in its sixth generation, that is, in the XV 40 body.
The model was produced from 2006 to 2011, and for us it is interesting because its success forced Toyota to open production near St. Petersburg. According to the current localization standards, this is a “domestic” car, which is clearly visible from all kinds of government purchases and the abundance of these sedans at various federal buildings.
WhybuyCamry?
What is the reason for such success? It's unlikely that it's a matter of the car's appearance. She is quite “Central Asian”, although quite characteristic. It doesn't have the most luxurious interior. And in terms of technology, the car is not at all surprising - everything is simple and standard: naturally aspirated engines, simple automatic transmissions. Except that the MacPherson strut suspension instead of a multi-link at the rear can generally be considered a curiosity, but for Toyota this is just typical.
In the photo: Toyota Camry "2006–09
The secret is a combination of reliability and brand image, comfort and the manufacturer’s successful pricing policy. And, of course, in localization and government procurement. The car itself is not much, but it is better than all its competitors on average: it does not have too cheap equipment, the design is calmer than that of the Teana, and the quality of the main units is excellent.
These cars have very few serious problems - this is the honest truth. And the quality of service is also higher than that of other brands - Toyota still does not support “pseudo-ecological” standards for increasing maintenance intervals, obliging owners to change the engine oil, filters and other consumables every 10 thousand.
There are still enough people willing to buy a reliable car, which is why prices are kept at a very high level. At the moment, a ten-year-old Camry is at least a third more expensive than its classmates, and even premium European E-class cars of the same age.
In the photo: Toyota Camry LE "2009–11 Of course, at first glance it is strange that someone would prefer a Toyota to a Mercedes in the 211 body, but if you look at the number of problems that await a typical buyer and the planned costs, everything falls into place. Mercedes, taking into account operating costs for a couple of years, will end up being more expensive, and noticeably so. So everything is correct: Toyota is bought by those who are thrifty, and Mercedes is bought by those who can afford it. Or is it not that simple?
Let's take a closer look at the nuances of the design, because the first cars have already passed the ten-year threshold, which by the standards of any brand is a respectable age, and the youngest cars of this generation are already over five years old. Let's say that at this age they manage to cause a lot of expensive problems. But Toyota is different.
Body
There are no questions about the quality of the anti-corrosion treatment for the Camry. Well, or almost not. Rarely do any examples have slight blistering of the paint on the hood or on the edges of the doors. According to most owners, this is a real nightmare and horror. In fact, quite typical little things in life.
The paint job itself is not that perfect, the paintwork is easily rubbed off by the age of five, and the front end suffers from numerous chips and abrasions. Wide bumpers are particularly affected - on their smooth surface all defects are clearly visible. In general, many people cover the entire front with “armored film” or paint it with “ceramics” - a particularly durable varnish.
Pictured: Toyota Camry LE ‘2009–11 An even more rare occurrence is corrosion at the edges of the arches. It occurs on cars from Moscow or St. Petersburg, with very high mileage and banal “sandblasting” and poor maintenance. Practice shows that these are not necessarily cars after an accident and body repairs: if you don’t give a damn, even a Toyota body at that age will be far from in ideal condition.
Front wing
price for original
12,180 rubles
What saves you is the good quality of dealer service, a warranty on the paintwork and, oddly enough, the high residual price of the cars. After all, deciding to paint a car that costs 700 thousand rubles is much easier than a car that costs about 300 thousand. The cost of the operation is approximately the same in both cases, but the increase in cost varies dramatically.
If you look more carefully, you will also find corrosion of the subframes, a slight violation of the seam sealant in the area of the front floor members and the engine compartment. Possibly clogged drains in the windshield niche and all sorts of small things.
But in general, the condition differs for the better from all cars of comparable age. If we talk about bodies, then only Opel Vectra C, Volvo S 60 and S 80, Audi of the year before 2008, and even BMW, are at a similar or slightly lower level among cars comparable in class. Nowadays, this level of anti-corrosion protection is not in fashion.
In the photo: Toyota Camry "2009–11 Front bumper
price for original
19,584 rubles
True, the Japanese approach, unfortunately, does not provide for stainless fasteners and decorative elements resistant to road chemicals. All the “chrome” and various bolts and nuts under the hood and bottom of the car peel off and become covered with rust on a common basis. They solve problems in different ways. Someone paints over the chrome and does not pay attention to the difficulties with maintaining the suspension due to corroding fasteners, someone replaces the elements with new or “contract” ones and anti-corrodes everything down to the smallest detail. To the credit of the owners, the last option of maintenance is quite typical; fans of reliability go to extra expenses to preserve it.
The list of unpleasant little things with the body does not end there. The lower “lip” of the front bumper on pre-restyling cars is a typical place for repairs. An unsuccessful design is broken by any unfortunate contact with curbs or snowdrifts; failure is especially common when reversing. On many cars, this part of the bumper has been repaired and strengthened, sometimes even more than once. Replacing a bumper with a restyled one is much more expensive than repairs, and usually these are the consequences of a more serious impact. The “question price” is more than 60 thousand rubles, and includes the replacement of the bumper, head optics, fog lights and many additional elements.
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The door handles are weak and the paint is peeling off. In winter you need to be careful; when the door freezes, you should not pull with all your might. The windshield is quite soft, and by the mileage of 100 thousand it can be quite worn out. Like the front optics - but it is mainly damaged by the burnout of the headlight reflectors, and not by the cloudy glass.
There are simply no really serious and regular problems. This is reflected in the very careful elaboration of almost all elements. When you examine the car, you understand why it is so valued. All vulnerable spots are covered very carefully. The mating of the bumpers and fenders is made in such a way that friction is almost eliminated even with careless installation. The plastic of the thresholds and lockers is quite soft, can withstand stones and is carefully secured. The tightness of the design is thought out to the smallest detail - the drains do not get dirty, moisture does not get into the internal cavities from above, the drainage is made with a good margin and does not get dirty reluctantly, unless you constantly park the car under trees in the fall.
However, do not be surprised that the owners of the previous Camry in the back of the XV 30 consider this car not particularly reliable, and the body is ill-conceived. After all, the paintwork becomes cloudy, the door limiters click, the mirrors break on impact, and it’s impossible to polish out the scratch. In general, the ideal of “real imperial quality” is still (or rather, already) far away.
Salon
The interior is a little more difficult than the body. The interior, which is quite pleasant at first glance, shows with age the lack of quality of materials and the peeling off of the ubiquitous “silver”, the leather wrinkles, and the fabric gets dirty and loses its appearance. And “wood” in practice turns out to be not a very resistant water print to our temperatures, and the varnish often peels off and wears out.
By the mileage of 200 thousand, the interior retains its pristine silence only if new original fasteners are used for any work, careful reinforcement work is performed during maintenance and replacement of wearable elements such as seals. The abundance of large plastic parts in the door trim and especially the huge rear parcel shelf do not contribute to silence at all.
In the photo: Interior of Toyota Camry XLE "2006–09 Typical troubles after a hundred to one and a half thousand mileage are creaks in the glove box and center console. In specialized services, problems of this kind can be easily cured. There are also such unpleasant little things as rattling of door handles, steering shaft or interior mirror. It is not easy to detect them - the driver thinks that the sound is coming from somewhere in the right corner of the front panel or from under it, but it is difficult to localize the problem on the spot, and it is not possible while driving.
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5 / 5
Wide seats with such a mileage are noticeably deformed, and if the driver is heavy, then the driver’s seat takes on a frankly worn-out look by one and a half hundred thousand miles. The power adjustments usually work reliably, but the driver's seat harness contact sometimes causes an airbag error. By the way, after 60-70 thousand mileage, for drivers who “steer” especially hard, a similar effect is caused by the wear of the steering wheel cable, but more often this manifests itself as failure of the buttons on it.
In the photo: Interior of Toyota Camry LE "2009–11 Failure of the power window unit is not uncommon; there was even a recall campaign for it. If the glass rises up and then stubbornly drops halfway, then do not rush to fix the defect yourself - check with the dealer to see if your car is subject to a recall. You can also get new floor mats and new fastenings from the dealer as part of the same recall campaign - the driver's floor mat can fix the gas pedal when pressed, which, of course, is very dangerous. Don't want to go to the dealer? Better secure the carpets better, and trim the area near the gas pedal. Many aftermarket rugs are still made from the old patterns and suffer from the same problem.
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4 / 4
The list of problems is mostly “cosmetic” - it can be considered exemplary behavior for a car of this class. The quality of sound insulation and materials does not reach the standards set by the German “premium”, but the level of comfort is more than sufficient, and all this is easy to repair, change and maintain.
Electrical and electronics
If it weren't for the generator, there would be no serious shortcomings. However, our and Japanese-made cars have an overrunning clutch in the generator drive, which sometimes cannot withstand hundreds of thousands of mileage. The unpleasant noise during operation and the flying belt of the drive of additional units are on her conscience. However, no one is stopping you from replacing it with a solid pulley from American cars. The resource of the generator itself before replacing the brushes is usually about 150 thousand, but the operation is simple and inexpensive.
In the photo: Toyota Camry XLE "2006–09 Discharge headlight
price for original
22,209 rubles
On cars with a 2.4 engine, where a 4-speed automatic transmission is installed, failures of the selector occur, which refuses to shift. Most often, the problem can be easily resolved by simply disassembling it and cleaning or replacing the brake pedal sensor. Another option is a failure of the locking motor, which is activated in the Parking position. If it stops working, you will not switch out of “parking”. The motor is inexpensive to replace, and especially thrifty owners simply remove the locking pin.
There are no complaints about the wiring: it is made extremely simply, and there are almost no weak points. Only the trunk lid harness can fray; all other parts are holding up perfectly. And also, if they did it in the car, they could remove numerous points of attachment of the internal harnesses to the body panels, which usually over time provokes chafing of the “corrugation”, and then the wires themselves.
An unpleasant feature of the Camry is the open location of the ECU - the engine control unit. When it is stolen, this is the main drawback: literally within thirty seconds it is replaced with a “stitched” one, and the car drives away. In addition to replacing the block, there is also a method of flashing new keys - unfortunately, this is also a quick operation due to software vulnerabilities. So, in addition to protecting the engine compartment and the control unit itself, it is recommended to remove it from its regular place.
In the photo: Toyota Camry "2006–09 Of course, a bunch of alarms and immobilizers are the eternal companions of the Camry, which negatively affect the reliability of its electrical circuits. When purchasing, it is recommended to check whether the owner has a map for installing various secrets, whether there are any “ambushes” such as resoldering the ECU connector to prevent its replacement and other issues that could dramatically complicate the life of the new owner in the future.
What else?
It seems that everything is not bad at all: the electrics are very simple, the body is preserved with dignity, except that the interior can let us down. What about the main units? Let's tell. Oddly enough, the Camry has at least one serious pitfall in the “face” of the 3.5 engine.
20.09.2017
Toyota Camry is the most popular business sedan in the history of Toyota. The production of this model has already lasted more than 30 years, during which time the car has become a real bestseller on the market, and, in recent years, has been recognized as the best in terms of price-quality ratio. In fairness, it is worth noting that this car had few serious competitors, especially in the CIS countries. On the secondary market, this model is one of the most popular cars, and for good reason - a comfortable, roomy premium sedan at the price of a budget Korean in a top-end configuration. It sounds really tempting, but the question arises, what problems will you have to face after purchasing a Toyota Camry XV40 with a mileage of more than 100,000 km, and what should you pay attention to when choosing this car on the secondary market. We’ll talk about this and much more now.
A little history:
The name Camry comes from the Japanese phonetic notation of the Chinese character 冠 (kammuri), which means “crown.” Toyota began work on creating the first premium business class sedan in its model range at the beginning of 1980. The debut of the Toyota Camry (V10) took place in 1982; initially the car was available only on the Japanese market and was called Toyota Vista. Six months later, this model began to be exported to the USA and Europe under the familiar name “Camry”. The second generation was introduced in 1986; externally, the car was not much different from its predecessor. The third generation of the car (V30) appeared in 1990, but was intended only for the Japanese domestic market. For export to the US and European markets, another model with the index XV10 was developed; it was larger, heavier and had a different design, and was also available in a station wagon. In Japan, the same car was sold under the name Toyota Scepter.
The fourth generation of the Toyota Camry V40 was introduced in 1994; this version of the car was offered only in a sedan body, but, as before, it had a “Vista” platform model. The car was intended only for the Japanese domestic market. The export version of the model with the index XV20 was introduced in 1996. The fifth generation of the model was introduced in 2000 in Japan. The world premiere of the new product took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2001. Unlike its predecessors, the car received all the most modern trends, harmoniously combined with the traditional sophistication of business-class cars, which contained only a minimal number of straight lines.
The debut of the sixth generation Toyota Camry (XV40) took place in 2006 at the Detroit auto show. The history of this generation was relatively short, as for a prestigious car - official sales started in 2007, and already in 2011 the next generation was presented. The reason for this was the low quality of the interior finishing materials and the controversial design, which scared off former fans of the model and forced them to purchase cars such as and. In 2009, a restyled version of the car arrived at car dealerships, in which, according to manufacturers, the main technical shortcomings were eliminated. The premiere of the seventh generation of the car (XV50) took place in 2011. The new product differed from its predecessor in the angular features of the front end, as well as the lack of smooth lines and an improved interior.
Weaknesses and disadvantages of Toyota Camry (XV40) with mileage
The quality of the paintwork, like most modern cars, leaves much to be desired - scratches and chips appear even from minor mechanical contact. But, the corrosion resistance of the body does not raise any questions. An exception may be cars that were restored after an accident using a makeshift method. The weak points of the body include the chrome elements (they become cloudy and peeling) and the decorative strip above the license plate mounted on the trunk lid - the paint is cracking (it was repainted on many copies).
The paint on the windshield wiper arms swells and peels over time (3-4 years of operation), and the same problems are typical for wheel rims. On Toyota Camrys of the first years of production, the headlight washer nozzles often get stuck in the open position. The solution to the problem is to remove accumulated dirt. When inspecting, you should pay attention to the washer fluid reservoir; the fact is that it is very close to the bumper and can crack even in a minor accident. You need to insert the gun into the gas tank of the car carefully, since the neck of the gas tank uses very thin metal; there have been cases when careless owners pierced it with a gun at a gas station. To eliminate the defect, you will have to change the neck with the pipe.
Engines
The Toyota Camry was equipped only with gasoline power units of 2.4 (163 and 167 hp) and 3.5 (277 hp) liters. As operating experience has shown, both engines are very durable and, with timely maintenance, do not cause much trouble up to 200-250 thousand km. But, like any mechanism, these motors are not without weaknesses. The most common problem is premature failure of drive belt tensioners; this happens at a mileage of 80-100 thousand km. Symptoms: a soft clicking sound appears. The cooling pump has approximately the same resource. The pink coating and marks on the hood protection and the increased noise of the pump will tell about its imminent death. The throttle valve block quickly becomes clogged, so it needs to be washed every 30-40 thousand km if you do not want to change the unit ahead of schedule. The same procedure is recommended for the injectors installed on the 3.5 engine. When using low-quality fuel, the oxygen and mass air flow sensors fail prematurely.
The 2.4 four-cylinder engine is prone to overheating. In order to avoid serious troubles and high costs (if the block head overheats, it causes damage to the engine), wash the radiator and air conditioner cells at least twice a year. On most used Toyota Camrys, oil consumption is about 1 liter per 10,000 km; for cars with a mileage of more than 100 thousand km, this is considered the norm; if the consumption is higher, then, in the future, the problem will worsen.
For a V6 3.5 engine, at 150,000 km, individual ignition coils begin to burn. Also, on cars produced before 2009, a common problem is oil leakage due to a leaky oil cooler pipe (initially a plastic pipe was installed, after restyling the oil pipe was replaced with an all-metal one). Owners are often perplexed by the Check VSC System error that suddenly appears on the dashboard; many owners assure that there is no need to worry, since the error is due to a “glitch” in the system and will go away on its own. If the error does not disappear for a long time, but the car drives normally, check the sensor; it may need to be replaced. In case of unstable operation of the power unit and the sensor is triggered, the ignition coil will most likely need to be replaced. Also, the error may appear if the battery is faulty.
When starting the engine in the cold season, you can hear an unpleasant buzzing and metallic grinding noise, the source is the Bendix (overrunning clutch designed to “disengage” the starter from the running engine). This happens due to the fact that the lubricant in the relay is not designed for low temperatures and with the onset of cold weather it hardens and the “retractor” does not have time to get out. Replacing the Bendix lubricant with a more flexible one will help eliminate this problem. Often, at a mileage of 130-150 thousand km, the generator pulley needs to be replaced. When choosing a car, you should clarify its history; the fact is that Toyota Camry is loved by officials and businessmen who are driven by drivers. As a rule, such cars idled for a long time (in the winter they constantly heated the interior, cooled it in the summer), and the car was serviced without taking into account the engine hours worked, and it turned out that the oil change was carried out at 10,000 km as prescribed in the regulations, but in fact it turned out 15-20 thousand km. In such cases, it is difficult to predict the engine life ( during normal operation, the engine can last up to 500,000 km).
Transmission
Toyota Camry (XV40) with a 2.4 engine was equipped with two gearboxes - a five-speed manual and a hydromechanical automatic; with a 3.5 engine, only a six-speed automatic transmission was installed. The manual transmission is very reliable and practically does not cause problems for its owners. The only trouble that owners of cars with a manual transmission encounter is increased vibration in 5th gear during sharp acceleration. In most cases, the culprit of this disease is wear of the clutch and hub of the gearbox synchronizers. The clutch, with careful operation, lasts for 100-130 thousand km, but the release bearing may require replacement for 60,000 km. Symptoms: unclear and difficult gear shifting.
The second most reliable is a 5-speed automatic; in most cases, its service life is 200-250 thousand km. Its main drawback is the sudden failure of the selector, but you should not be afraid, since the solution to this problem is cheap - you need to replace the limit switch, which is located under the brake pedal. On some copies, over time, the contact in the automatic transmission control unit disappears (a new unit will cost 500 USD), fortunately, we have already learned how to eliminate this problem without replacing the unit (repair of the control unit is required).
The trouble-free operation of a 6-speed automatic transmission directly depends on your driving style. If you constantly drive in the “slipper to the floor” mode, the transmission will need to be repaired at a mileage of 100-120 thousand km - the clutches will wear out. Symptoms are jerks during sharp acceleration and when switching from third to fourth gear, which are accompanied by clanking and revving. With untimely maintenance and the use of low-quality lubricants, by 100,000 km, wear products clog the valve body channels. In both cases, the repair will not be cheap, about 1000 USD, replacing the box will cost 2500-3000 USD. To increase the service life of the transmission, it is recommended to change the oil in the box at least once every 60,000 km. The main reason for failure of automatic transmissions is overheating of the box. The transmission has an additional cooling radiator, and if it is not cleaned from time to time, the chances of overheating increase. Also, the service life of the box is affected by your driving style; if you like to race at traffic lights, you shouldn’t count on the box’s long service life.
Suspension reliability of Toyota Camry (XV40)
The car is equipped with an independent suspension: MacPherson strut at the front, multi-link at the rear. In terms of comfort, the Toyota Camry has always been famous for its satisfactory ride quality and good energy consumption, but this also has its drawback: the softness of the suspension does not add confidence when maneuvering at high speeds. As for the reliability of the suspension, in this regard, this model is one of the leaders in the class. Stabilizer struts and bushings last 60-80 thousand km. At 80-100 km, the outer CV joints (changed together with the axle shaft) begin to knock. The silent blocks of the front levers will have to be changed every 120-150 thousand km (they are changed together with the lever). With careful use, ball joints and shock absorbers will not bother you for up to 150,000 km. The rear wishbones can last about the same amount of time.
The steering system is also long-lived; the rack begins to leak after 150,000 km; with careful operation, it can last more than 200,000 km (replacement costs 500-600 cu.). Steering ends and rods last an average of 120-150 thousand km. One of the weak points of the steering wheel is the crosspiece of the steering shaft universal joint. After 100,000 km, power steering fluid may leak through the seals and high pressure hose of the power steering pump. The weak point in the chassis is the brake system, or more precisely, the front discs, which overheat during intense braking and, in most cases, become deformed and crack. Symptoms: a pounding sound in the steering wheel when you press the brake pedal. At the same time, the rear discs last more than 100,000 km. The caliper guides are prone to souring; in order to avoid costly repairs, it is recommended to lubricate them at every maintenance.
Salon
The interior of the Toyota Camry is made of inexpensive finishing materials, because of this the car received a lot of criticism not only from experts and bloggers, but also from owners who have been using the car for a long time. The leather trim on the seats received the most criticism, as it quickly loses its original appearance. On some examples with mileage up to 100,000 km, cracks appeared on the leather. Things are no better with fabric upholstery (it wears out quickly). The sound insulation raises many questions; there is a feeling that it was installed at the AvtoVAZ plant (during heavy rain, you will have to speak in a raised voice in the cabin). The build quality also leaves many questions about who and where assembled the car, which cost more than $25,000 new. The front seats are very soft and have no lateral support.
As for the reliability of electrics, there are certain problems here too. Over time, the instrument panel begins to malfunction. Many cars with a mileage of more than 100,000 km develop problems with the air conditioner - the compressor fails. The air conditioner evaporator begins to “spit dandruff”; this ailment appears as a result of oxidation of the evaporator, which will have to be replaced (about 500 cu).
Result:
– a reliable, comfortable and inexpensive car to maintain for relatively little money. Unfortunately, it is not without minor flaws, but, in fairness, it is worth noting that most of them can be eliminated without much difficulty and for a reasonable price. When choosing a used Toyota Camry, it is better to give preference to models produced after 2009, since sedans of this age have practically no weak points.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you encountered while using the car. Perhaps your review will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.
Best regards, editor AutoAvenue
