2003 Camry Power Window Problems

[PaulW]

Recently I returned from the shops and the driver's window refused to windup.
Having experienced this problem before I homed in on the window winder motor and found it to be faulty.
I went back to the shop where I had purchased the window regulator and motor 2 years ago and complained about the failure.
They advised that their warranty was only for 12 months and offered to sell me a replacement motor only for $95.

The motor is now installed in the door and working well but it begs the question regarding the reliability of aftermarket spare parts.
Has anyone else on this forum experienced early failures with aftermarket spare parts?

The original Toyota motor lasted 18 years, the replacement Chinese motor 2 years.

Sometimes its worth paying the extra for the genuine Toyota part.

Regards

Paul

[Tony Prodigy]

9 hours ago, PaulW said:

The original Toyota motor lasted 18 years, the replacement Chinese motor 2 years.

Sometimes its worth paying the extra for the genuine Toyota part.

I like to stick with original or OEM at best. I'll never put cheap Chinese crap on anything I own. Pay a bit more, get the better item and you'll have peace of mind.

I know the cheap prices are tempting, but why would you want to do the same job twice or three times ??

Do it once and be done with it and it will function as intended.

[hayden]

The aftermarket quality is all over the place at the moment. If you can’t afford OEM. I would get one from a wrecker. 

[Tony Prodigy]

20 minutes ago, hayden said:

If you can’t afford OEM. I would get one from a wrecker. 

That's good advice. I would tend to do the same. Nothing wrong with good used parts either. Beats aftermarket rubbish any day.

[PaulW]

Hi Tony and Hayden
Thanks for your responses. 
I tend to agree with your sentiments but for non-critical parts, eg interior trim, aftermarket can prove to be OK.
I replaced some interior and one exterior door handle with aftermarket many years ago and they have been fine.
With second-hand parts it pays to be a bit more careful since the part you are replacing could as old as the original and may also have a short life.
I replaced a broken boot release cable with one from a wrecker's yard, but only after having carefully inspected it.

For my window winder I should have gone with genuine.

Regards

Paul

[Tony Prodigy]

1 hour ago, PaulW said:

I tend to agree with your sentiments but for non-critical parts, eg interior trim, aftermarket can prove to be OK.

Fair call. I'm just a stickler for OEM and Original.

1 hour ago, PaulW said:

For my window winder I should have gone with genuine.

Definitely where electrics are involved. Factory parts are just so much better.