2002 Toyota Camry

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 1,039 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,039

Of the 2002 reports, 275 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 146 people were injured and 13 people died.

Primary concernVehicle speed control295 reports · 28% of complaints
Owner complaints1,039Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Vehicle speed control295
  2. Service brakes185
  3. Hydraulic156
  4. Engine and engine cooling111
  5. Air bags102
  6. Power train77
  7. Tires61
  8. Engine59

Recalls and investigations

  1. Air bags, side/windowJul 13, 2004

    ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.

    IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

    Campaign 04V346000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontalDec 11, 2001

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.

    IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.

    Campaign 01V372000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. TiresOct 1, 2001

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TOURING TIRES, P205-65R15 92S, INSTALLED AT THE PORTS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. THE INCORRECT TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES THAT HAD DAMAGED TIRES. THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED DURING A PORT UPGRADE TO ALUMINUM WHEELS.

    THE TIRES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE SPEED RATING FOR THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING (112 MPH), POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE COULD OCCUR.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FIVE TIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

    Campaign 01V302000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontalSep 25, 2001

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

    UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. BOTH OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED. BOTH OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED.

    Campaign 01V306000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: air bags

102 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Jan 29, 2002, crash

    VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL REAR END COLLISION AT 50 MPH, DRIVER RECEIVED SEVERE INJURIES FROM AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *YH

  2. Air bags, Jan 11, 2002, crash

    MY BROTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CRASH IN A NEW 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE, THE ACCIDENT OCCRURED IN NORTH CAROLINA AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL. THE CAR LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND ROLLED OVER EVENTUALLY IMPACTING A TREE. THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT, SIDE, AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS CONTRIBUTORY TO MY BROTHER'S DEATH.*AK