2011 Camry, a little surprised, slightly disappointed.

[EA82]

Bought in 2013 with around 30k, it now has 105k.
Ran great for 9-10 years and last year the AC compressor went, a couple of days ago the alternator died.
I'm not really complaining because it has served us good and I know things break but I was expecting a little better quality out of toyota.
I tend to keep cars for a long time, last 2 vehicles I've kept for 10 plus years were both fords.
1996 Ford mustang 4.6l, had for 15 years, AC compressor and alternator failed when the car was around 17-18 years old and 200k miles.
My Ford Van 4.6l alternator failed at 236k and AC compressor is still kicking at 285k.
By the way, the alternator I got today from the junk yard came off a 2010 Camry, and it had recently been rebuilt by a local alternator and starter shop, it had a sticker with a date on it.
I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

 

[BigCahuna]

I don't get all the praise about how reliable toyota's are, when my experience with them is the same as yours. And with Fords also. I don't know what people use as a gauge of how reliable a car is, maybe they just don't remember that they had to fix them every now and then.,,

 

[cptbarkey]

The most common parts that fail on an engine failed after 14 years and you are disappointed? Uh huh.

 

[supton]

It's ok, it did not match up to the mystique. I get that, and I'm one of the fanboys.

 

[Oillover]

I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

So, what are you saying?

 

[Trav]

I guess Toyota didn't spec these parts must have a 30 year life expectancy when they contracted the manufacturers of the Alt and A/C compressor. Shame on them. LOL

 

[Cujet]

Some time back Truedelta.com did a study based on owner reported frequency and severity of repairs. The Toyota Camry came out on top, with the fewest number of shop visits and more importantly, the lowest number of powertrain repairs of any vehicle ever made.

What was interesting is just how much better the Camry was than the worst car at the time, the VW Passat (or Jaguar) The Camry was 10X more reliable, and had 10X fewer shop visits. When compared to more mainstream vehicles the Camry was not nearly as different, but it did than Honda, which did better than Ford or Chevy.

Conclusion of the study:

Camry was the most reliable car
Toyota was the most reliable brand

 

[EA82]

I guess Toyota didn't spec these parts must have a 30 year life expectancy when they contracted the manufacturers of the Alt and A/C compressor. Shame on them. LOL

Barely over 100k for a Toyota isn't impressive at all, more so when the auto parts stores ask $400 for a new alternator as opposed to $150 for Ford.

 

[cptbarkey]

Barely over 100k for a Toyota isn't impressive at all, more so when the auto parts stores ask $400 for a new alternator as opposed to $150 for Ford.

You didnt provide any failure mode information on either part, so i'll assume they were both parked next to the ocean and corroded terribly.

 

[EA82]

So, what are you saying?

You know what I'm saying but let me spell it again for you.
I'm not saying Ford overall is better than Toyota, I don't believe that it is, I'm just sharing my personal experience

 

[EA82]

You didnt provide any failure mode information on either part, so i'll assume they were both parked next to the ocean and corroded terribly.

All parked at the same location

 

[KGMtech]

Pays your money, takes your chances. As per BITOG standards, any used car is treated to fluid changes of all types and over maintained to please the most persnickety member here.

 

[GSCJR]

1996 Ford mustang 4.6l, had for 15 years, AC compressor and alternator failed when the car was around 17-18 years old and 200k miles.
My Ford Van 4.6l alternator failed at 236k and AC compressor is still kicking at 285k.

Yes, about the rest of the Fords? Were they were trouble free?

An 11 year old Toyota I'm sure has held up better. Am I wrong?

 

[EA82]

Yes, about the rest of the Fords? Were they were trouble free?

An 11 year old Toyota I'm sure has held up better. Am I wrong?

You're right.

 

[EA82]

Guys , I'm in no way shape or form bashing Toyota, I like Toyota, I own 2.
I'm just sharing my personal experience, Please don't cancel me.

 

[svtrit]

I was a die hard ‘Merica car guy and wouldn’t touch a Japanese car with a 10 foot pole. In the mean time, I suffered through early 2000’s Dodge RAM truck issues, Chevy Silverado issues and the inherent issues I ignored with my Chrysler vans. Then I got a Camry for a work car. Now I tend to only shop Japanese, and my itch to work on cars is only filled my my last Chrysler van. Toyota changed my tune.

My Camry has 255k miles on it and I just passed it down to my daughter. It drives and rides better than my Chrysler van with 125k miles and is less rusty, even though it is 6 years older. The only complaint is the AC ain’t cold enough.

I did have to change the catalytic converter 2000 miles ago. I guess that makes it junk….

Oh, and my Japanese cars were built in ‘Merica.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Bought in 2013 with around 30k, it now has 105k.
Ran great for 9-10 years and last year the AC compressor went, a couple of days ago the alternator died.
I'm not really complaining because it has served us good and I know things break but I was expecting a little better quality out of toyota.
I tend to keep cars for a long time, last 2 vehicles I've kept for 10 plus years were both fords.
1996 Ford mustang 4.6l, had for 15 years, AC compressor and alternator failed when the car was around 17-18 years old and 200k miles.
My Ford Van 4.6l alternator failed at 236k and AC compressor is still kicking at 285k.
By the way, the alternator I got today from the junk yard came off a 2010 Camry, and it had recently been rebuilt by a local alternator and starter shop, it had a sticker with a date on it.
I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

Oh, i see... Let me give you some perspective. The water pump on my ford engine costs 4,500 dollars to replace if it doesnt blow up the engine first. But I am sorry to hear about your alternator not working after a decade of services in a very hot state.
But jokes aside those of use who grew up with 90s domestic cars remember the painful stark contrast.

 

[ecotourist]

Some time back Truedelta.com did a study based on owner reported frequency and severity of repairs.

Conclusion of the study:

Camry was the most reliable car
Toyota was the most reliable brand

That's the same method that Consumer Report has been using for decades - that many people on "Bob" poo poo as being unreliable. But I think it's a reasonable way to assess reliability. Not the only way but a good way just the same.

I may have to replace my '07 Accord at some point and I've got a Lexus in mind - which is basically a nicer Camry.

 

[GMBoy]

That's the same method that Consumer Report has been using for decades - that many people on "Bob" poo poo as being unreliable. But I think it's a reasonable way to assess reliability. Not the only way but a good way just the same.

I may have to replace my '07 Accord at some point and I've got a Lexus in mind - which is basically a nicer Camry.

The reason a lot of us don't like the CR data is that they don't verify. If you are a subscriber, you take the survey and answer how you want. They don't even verify you own the car you are rating. Then the sample sizes are suspect as well. I used to enjoy their magazine but have not looked at one nor gave them any thought in 20 yrs. Their reliability data is just a "tool" to use combined with other sources because they are not reliable as an only source.

 

[NDL]

Bought in 2013 with around 30k, it now has 105k.
Ran great for 9-10 years and last year the AC compressor went, a couple of days ago the alternator died.
I'm not really complaining because it has served us good and I know things break but I was expecting a little better quality out of toyota.
I tend to keep cars for a long time, last 2 vehicles I've kept for 10 plus years were both fords.
1996 Ford mustang 4.6l, had for 15 years, AC compressor and alternator failed when the car was around 17-18 years old and 200k miles.
My Ford Van 4.6l alternator failed at 236k and AC compressor is still kicking at 285k.
By the way, the alternator I got today from the junk yard came off a 2010 Camry, and it had recently been rebuilt by a local alternator and starter shop, it had a sticker with a date on it.
I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

The alternator on (what was) my Ranger started getting lazy around 200k; the original starter has 250k on her, and she's fine.

The only thing that went on the Ranger was the rear end. I did the coil packs at 200k as well...I can't think of anything else. She did a lot of stop and go traffic in NYC.

Fantastic truck.