I bought a used 2002 Toyota Camry last September from a single owner. The interior and exterior were in good shape but the engine has begun burning oil at 1 quart per 1000 miles or less (probably more like 700 or 800 miles). It's a lemon and no one should look at buying a Camry, at least of this model year at all. It's a chronic problem with most of them. Also, if you're considering buying a Camry, new or used, please research common problems with this vehicle as it does get a lot of complaints, particularly for excessive oil consumption, even on newer models.

Well, besides the stripped head stud threads in the block (also a 2.4 issue) the engine burns oil like I owned a well. This has the knock on problem of fouling the cat converter, a $1200.00 item as well. The problem is that the oil control rings on the pistons cannot do their job properly because of a design flaw of the pistons themselves. The oil rings have slots which allow the scraped from the walls to be drained back into the sump to be used again.

Problem is the drain back holes in the pistons were made too small and clog easily, preventing drain back and proper oil control. Add a few missed oil changes and some sludge and you have a engine that will use a litre every 6-700K with no signs of abating. The cure is of course a engine overhaul and modified pistons and rings installed at considerable expense. This seem to be a problem in the later years as well, so I am not sure when if ever the problem was addressed. A shame, as the engine has great power with excellent gas mileage otherwise. Then there is the stud problem.....

I have been a steady buyer of Toyota Camry for the past twenty years. My most recent purchase has turned out to be a lemon for me. My 2002 Toyota Camry has been consuming oil at the rate of approximately one quart per 1000 miles. Since I did most of my servicing at the Toyota dealership, I took the car in for oil consumption test. It was verified that there was no external leakage. I was further informed that this rate of oil consumption is within the design specification of the Toyota engine. Since I never had this kind of problem with my previous Toyota Camry, including those with extremely high mileage, my recent experience tells me that the Toyota Camry quality may have gone down hill fast and is currently living off it fine past reputation.

This kind of oil consumption by design also makes a mockery of the public web statement by Mr. Fujio Cho, Chairman of the Toyota Corporation, on the use of "advanced environmental technologies" in their cars.... yes it is so advanced that it burns oil one quart per 1000 miles and then pump the burnt oil products into the air we breathe. Thank you very much, Mr. Cho.

Based on my most recent experience, I will never buy a Toyota ever again and I want to share my experience with all potential buyers so they can make smart decision on Toyota products.