America's best-selling sedan for much of its history, undermined on this specific generation by one well-documented engine issue that should shape your entire buying decision.
The Camry's midsize sedan body is a reasonable, unstressed load for this engine mechanically — the oil consumption issue covered in detail on the engine page is a factory design concern, not a consequence of how the car is used.
A 3.5L V6 version of this same generation was also offered and uses a completely different, well-regarded engine — worth comparing if the 2.4L's documented issue gives you pause.
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
This generation of Camry is a defining application of the 2.4L 2AZ-FE. The oil consumption checklist on the dedicated engine page should be treated as mandatory before buying.
FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNToyota 2.4L 2AZ-FE — Reliable or Not →This is non-negotiable: ask for documented oil consumption history and, ideally, verify the level yourself before considering anything else about the car.
Check whether any manufacturer extended warranty or goodwill engine repair was ever performed, and get documentation if so.
Watch for blue-tinted exhaust smoke on startup or under load during the test drive, a visible sign of oil consumption.