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.
Of the 2002 reports, 275 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 146 people were injured and 13 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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: engine
170 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. HE PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE HEAD BOLT WAS STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 08/05/11*LJ UPDATED 08/15/11
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 18, 2010
THE CAR ACCELERATES AT A HIGH RATE WITH LITTLE PRESSURE ON GAS. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS WARM. I COULD BE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THEN HAVE IT HAPPEN WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS AND I STEP ON THE GAS. IT ALSO HAS HAPPENED WHEN ACCELERATING WHILE STILL MOVING IE: TAKING A CORNER WHILE SLOWING THEN STEPPING ON THE GAS ONCE I HAVE STRAIGHTENED OUT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 30, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY HAD STALLED-ENGINE PROBLEM THESE YEARS. MOST OF THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND WAITING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR AT THE STOP SIGN, MY CAMRY CAR ENGINE ABRUPTLY CEASES OPERATING AND STOPS TURNING. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE ENGINE AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED A LOT OF TIMES THESE YEARS AND GIVE ME A BIG TROUBLE WHEN A LOT OF OTHER CARS WAITING BEHIND ME. IT'S NOT SAFE AND BE DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS STALLED ENGINE PROBLEM JUST HAPPENED THIS MORNING WHEN I SENT MY SON TO THE BASEBALL GAME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 25, 2010
ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I STARTED EXPERIENCING A JERKING OF MY CAR AT ABOUT 40 MPH. MY CAR IS A 2002 CAMRY XLE V6. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TWO TECH'S RIDE WITH ME AND THEY EXPERIENCED THE JERKING BUT COULDN'T DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS. NOW THE JERKING IS GETTING WORSE AND IS HAPPENING AT ALL SPEEDS. I HAVE ABOUT 111000 MILES ON THE CAR PRESENTLY. I HAVE HAD A FEW TIMES WHERE I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO STOP COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I CALLED TOYOTA'S NATIONAL OFFICE TO MAKE SURE MY DEALERSHIP HADN'T MISSED A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN AND THE NATIONAL OFFICE SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN. HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. THE NATIONAL OFFICE OFFERED TO CALL MY DEALERSHIP, WHICH THEY DID, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'LL DO FOR ME SINCE LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME UNTIL A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHERE IT WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 11, 2010
CAR WAS FILLED WITH GAS ON RETURN TRIP AND WHILE IN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. SAMARITANS STOPPED TO SUPPORT STRANDED CAR AND WHEN THEY TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON , IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WHEN CHECKED BY A INDIVIDUAL WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS A MECHANIC, HE SAID, HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE CAR AND IT WAS CLEAN. INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOWING SERVICE SUPPORT CALLED AND $400.00 PLUS DOLLARS LATER THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO LOCAL DEALER. AFTER CONVERSATION WITH DEALER REPRESENTATIVE , WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR OBVIOUS NEGLIGENCE AROUND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE OIL SLUDGE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO OUR CAR TO THE TUNE OF $4,600. SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS LATER, ALLOWING COOLER HEADS TO PREVAIL, WE WERE ABLE TO GAIN SOME SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL DEALER HOWEVER WE WERE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE SECOND HAND ENGINE BECAUSE TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PROBLEM.BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY AND HAVE BEEN DOING BUSINESS WITH THIS GROUP FOR YEARS, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE PART OF THE CAR THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC IN QUESTION REPORTED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS BEFORE AND HE HA BEEN WORKING FOR MANY YEARS AT THE SAME LOCATION. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE PAPERWORK FROM OUR LOCAL MECHANIC WHO HAS ROUTINELY DONE THE OIL CHECKS SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR. EVEN AFTER PHONE CALLS AND LETTER REQUESTING THAT TOYOTA "DO THE RIGHT THING" EVEN THOUGH OUR SITUATION WAS A FEW MONTHS SHY OF THE "07 SETTLEMENT, THEY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 26, 2010
ON MY CAMRY 2002 SE ENGINE STALLS AND/OR ROUGH IDLES ANYTIME WHILE COLD OR AFTER BEING WARMED UP. PREMATURE AND UNJUSTIFIED THROTTLE BODY FAILURE IS SUSPECTED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 13, 2010, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS. THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED A NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE LEAKING COOLANT AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON WITH HIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 99,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 19, 2010
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. *DT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $600.00. TWO DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED FOR GAS, HE NOTICED THE GAS TANK WOULD NOT FILL UP, THE GAS WOULD SPILL OUT. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A PAIR OF PLIERS WERE ON THE VENT OF THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A MISTAKE WAS MADE BY ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 15, 2010, crash
2002 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE STALLED ON RAILROAD TRACKS IN RALEIGH, NC. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED SECONDS AFTER WHEN AN AMTRAK TRAIN COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. A MECHANICAL DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RULED OUT. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DECEDANTS WIDOW. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2010, crash
I WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE, THE CAR ACCELERATED. I ENDED UP GOING DOWN AN EMBANKMENT HITTING SEVERAL TREES. THE CAR WAS EVENTUALLY SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED REAR END INTO A TREE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. MY PASSENGER AND I EXPERIENCED CONCUSSION SYNDROME ALONG WITH MUSCLE SPASMS IN THE NECK, BACK, AND ANKLE. WE WERE TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE NEW BRITAIN GENERAL HOSPITAL WHERE WE WERE TREATED AND RELEASED . WE ARE BOTH RECEIVING FOLLOW-UP MEDICAL CARE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 6, 2010
I OWN A TOYOTA CAMRY 2002 V6. LATE 2009, THE CAR STARTS TO BLOW LIGHT BLUE SMOKE EVERYTIME I START THE ENGINE. I CALLED HAMER TOYOTA ON MISSION HILLS, CA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IWAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL CHECK THE ENGINE BUT IT WILL COST ME $95.00 TO OPEN THE CYLINDER HEAD. I INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE RECALL FOR ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEM BUT HE STILL INSIST THAT THERE IS A CHARGE TO OPEN THE CYLINDER HEAD. HE SAID THAT IF WHAT IS CAUSING THE SMOKE IS THE ENGINE SLUDGE, THEY WILL NOT CHARGE $95.00. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS SO CLEAN AND I TOOK GOOD CARE OF THE CAR. JUST WONDERING WHAT'S THE REASON WHY THE CAR IS EXHALING WHITE SMOKE UP TO NOW IF HE SAID THAT THE ENGINE IS CLEAN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN GO DIRECTLY TOYOTA TO FILE A COMPLAIN OR YOU CAN PUBLISH MY COMPLAIN ON YOUR WEBSITE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Air bags, Mar 5, 2010
WE HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE WITH A 38, 900 MILES IN THE ODOMETER. AND ON MARCH 4, 2010 MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM A THE GROCERY STORE ASKED ME TO CHECK THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IIS ON. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR FIVE MINUTES WITH THE SPEED OF 10 MILES TO 15 MILES AN HOUR. BEFORE I CAME TO THE STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE START RACING, RPM IS UP THE RED LINE, I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE ROAR. I STEP ON THE BRAKE HARD, SHIFT THE GEAR HARD INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION. I WAS SO LUCKY, I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND THE RIGHT TIME WITH NO TRAFFIC AND KIDS PLAYING ON THE STREET. IF MY WIFE WOULD BE DRIVING AT THAT MOMENT ESPECIALLY SHE IS AN ELDERLY LIKE ME, IT COULD BE BIG ACCIDENT. IT'S A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. I SUGGEST THAT 2002 CAMRY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT. THAT SAME DAY I CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE APPOINTMENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2010
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SE V6 - AROUND SEPTEMBER 2009 I BEGAN TO NOTICE SUDDEN SURGES IN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. WITHOUT CHANGING THE POSITION OF THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE-HESITATE-SURGE SEVERAL TIMES THEN SUDDENLY STOP THE BEHAVIOR. SINCE THEN, I NOTICE IT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES I'M DRIVING THE CAR. TO ME, THIS IS NOT RELATED TO ANYTHING ON THE FLOOR OR THE GAS PEDAL ITSELF. IT APPEARS TO COME FROM WITHIN THE ENGINE OR OTHER COMPONENT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED OR PERFORMED. I AM CONSIDERING A VISIT TO THE DEALER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 2, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY V6 XLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH STUTTERING AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OR COMPUTER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FOUR DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND THEIR ONLY STATEMENT IS THAT IF THE ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON, THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. A NOW INDEPENDENT, FORMER TOYOTA MECHANIC DID OBSERVE THE PROBLEM AND CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH A COMPUTER. I WAS TREATED WITH ARROGANT DENIAL BY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT TOYOTA AND THEY BLACKMARKED ME ON THEIR SYSTEM-WIDE COMPUTER HISTORY. I DID LEARN THAT ONE PROBLEM WAS A RECALL PUBLICATION 3 MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT MY CAR THAT SAID THE COMPUTER NEEDED REPROGRAMMED. NONE OF THESE DEALERSHIPS KNEW THIS AND TOYOTA'S "ROMAN" IN CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIED ME ANY REIMBURSEMENT ABOUT THE REPROGRAMMING EVEN THOUGH I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ENGINE STUTTERING OR MISSING SINCE ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER NEW PURCHASE TO THE PRESENT. THIS IS THE COMPANY DENIAL AND ARROGANCE THAT THE CONGRESS AND INVESTIGATORS ARE COMING UP AGAINST. TOYOTA JUST WON'T ACCEPT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THAT HAS PERSISTED SINCE A MONTH AFTER NOVEMBER 2002 PURCHASE. NOW I GET EMAILS CALLING ME "FRIEND" FROM THEM WANTING MY BUSINESS AND SERVICE. I JUST WANT MY CAR TO RUN CORRECTLY AND FEAR THAT MY TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM IS A FORERUNNER OF THE PROBLEMS COMING TO LIGHT LATELY BEFORE CONGRESS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 26, 2010, crash
ON THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2006, MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AT THE SHERTON PALO ALTO. WHEN ENTERING HE PARKING LOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED WITH ENGINE RACING AND CRASHED THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BARRIER. THE HOTEL GRACIOUSLY REPAIRED THE BARRIER AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS INCIDENT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY. THIS IN THE ONLY INCIDENT TO DATE. A SECOND SAFETY ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSION "LURCH" MY CAR HAS. I TRIED TO HAVE IT CORRECTED BY TOYOTA, BUT THEY REFUSED, SAYING THAT IT WOULD BE TOO COSTLY FOR TOYOTA TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WENT TO MEDIATION WHO AGREED WITH TOYOTA. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. WHILE HE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON AN INCLINE, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE VEHICLE RESPONDED AS IF IT WERE GOING TO TAKE OFF AT FULL SPEED BUT IT DIDN'T. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME WITH HER FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,474.
Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes, Electric, Feb 18, 2010
MY 2002 CAMRY BEGAN "LURCHING" APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE TAKEN IT FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES, TO NO AVAIL. WE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, A SENSOR AND WERE TOLD BY ONE DEALER THAT IT WAS JUMPING FROM CYLINDER TO CYLINDER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. TWO OTHER VISITS TO 2 SEPARATE DEALERS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM DURING TEST DRIVES. THEY EVEN HAD A REGIONAL MANAGER COME AND CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT. IT HAPPENS INCONSISTENTLY WHEN CRUISING AT LOWER SPEEDS AND AGAIN AT HIGHER SPEEDS. SOMETIMES IT IS WORSE THAN OTHERS AND THEN IT GOES DAYS WITHOUT HAPPENING. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE CONNECTED TO THE GAS PEDAL AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HAVE IT CORRECTED. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUES WHEN BRAKING WHEN GOING DOWNHILL ON A BUMPY SURFACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAD THE CAR. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS JUST THE WAY THE DISC BRAKES WORK, BUT IT WAS SCARY - FEELS LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THE CAR. WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL TOYOTA OWNERS FOR MANY YEARS DUE TO THEIR HISTORY OF QUALITY, RELIABLE CARS, BUT HAVE CONCERNS NOW. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP US WITH THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU. APPROX. INCIDENT DATES BELOW ARE NOT ACCURATE. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR 2 OR 3 YEARS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AS HE PROCEEDED TO A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHIN TWENTY MINUTES AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE WAS 50,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 9, 2010
TOYOTA CAMRY 2002. THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THREE BOLTS WERE STRIP FROM THE ENGINE. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF IT AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. IT COST ME APPROX $4,000 TO FIX. TOYOTA ISSUED A TSB 2 YEARS AGO ABOUT THIS FAILURE: TSB 01507, NHTSA #10021542, DATED APRIL 6 2007. I FOUND THIS IN MY RESEARCH. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME TOYOTA SAID TO REPLACE THE HEAD, HEAD GASKET AND BOLTS. THAT THE HEAD HAD BEEN REDESIGNED SINCE IT WAS A KNOW ISSUE. IT WAS ALLEGED CAUSED WHEN TOYOTA CHANGED BUILDING THE HEAD FROM CAST IRON TO ALUMINUM. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/PRINTTHREAD.PHP?T=274802&PP=40. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2010
I KEPT HEARING RUSHING WATER COMING FROM SOMEWHERE BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG. SO AT THE END OF NOVEMBER MY CAR RAN HOT I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE THERMOSTAT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I REPLACED IT'.IT RAN HOT AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. WAS TOLD I HAD A COOLANT LEAK. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT' I NEED AN ENGINE! STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS IN THE BLOCK, NO NOT JUST A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THE HEAD BOLTS HAVE LET GO FROM THE BLOCK. I ASKED THE MECHANIC FOR A WRITE UP OF HIS FINDINGS: (PARAPHRASED) 'THE ONLY OPTION LEFT IS TO REMOVE THE HEAD, WHICH REQUIRES AN EXTENSIVE DISASSEMBLY (R AND R CYLINDER HEAD). AFTER LOOSENING THE BOLTS IN SEQUENCE, I NOTICE THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE BACK OF THE ENGINE ARE LOOSE. FROM MY EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD, I CAN CONFIDENTLY CONCLUDE THAT THIS ONLY MEANS ONE OF TWO THINGS: THE BOLTS WERE LEFT LOOSE AT THE FACTORY, OR THE BOLTS ARE STRIPPED. ( I COMMONLY HAVE SEEN STRIPPED BOLTS IN THE ALUMINUM CADILLAC NORTH STAR BLOCK DISCOVERED THROUGH LEAKING COOLANT.) NEXT, I REMOVED THE HEAD AND SURE ENOUGH, ONE BOLT CAME OUT WITH ALUMINUM IN THE THREAD...THUS INDICATING A STRIPPED BOLT. MY THEORY: THE PLACEMENT OF THE (INSULATION) FOAM RUBBER PIECE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE BLOCK CREATED AN UNEVEN DISPERSION OF HEAT, CREATING "METAL FATIGUE" IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ALLOWING THE HEAD BOLT TO STRIP.' I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE, THERE'S NO PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THIS AND MY PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED... LOOK IT UP! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 27, 2010, fire
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I SAW A FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I LIFTED THE HOOD I NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST WAS RED NEAR THE BURN SITE. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL CATCHING FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *CN *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 6, 2010
I HAVE JUST NOTICED THAT MY 2002 CAMRY 4 CYLINDER HAS A COOLANT LEAKING PROBLEM. SEARCH ON THE WEB, THE ISSUE IS VERY LIKELY DUE TO THE STRIPPED HEAD BOLT AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS WARRANTS A RECALL!!!!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Dec 30, 2009
WIFE DRIVING 2002 CAMRY FOR SMOCK INSPECTION. I AM FOLLOWING BEHIND. CAMRY STALLS - ENGINE JUST DIES. STEERING IS LOCKED. WIFE STOPPED AND TRIED TO RESTART. AFTER ~2MINS, CAR RESTARTED. CONTINUED ~2 MILES AND ENGINE DIES AGAIN, STEERING AGAIN LOCKS. WIFE ABLE TO START AGAIN. AFTER CAR STARTS, VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS ARE NOW ON. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER NEXT DAY. A SKID CONTROL COMPUTER IS DOWN PER TOYOTA. TOYOTA UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ENGINE DYING, BUT ADMIT FAULTY COMPUTER COULD BE CAUSE. SKID CONTROL COMPUTER COSTS $1453 TO REPLACE + $XXX FOR LABOR. I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2002 TOYOTA SO AM FILING A COMPLAINT. WHY HAS TOYOTA NOT RECALLED/FIXED THIS YET? IF THIS OCCURRED ON FREEWAY, STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP AT 55+ MPH? ARE THEY CRAZY? *TR