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, Dec 15, 2009
LOSS OF COOLANT. TOOK TO AUTO REPAIR. TOLD TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. UPON REPLACEMENT OF HEAD, DISCOVERED HEAD BOLTS WOULD NOT TIGHTEN BECAUSE THREADS IN ALUMINUM BLOCK WERE STRIPPED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2009
2002 CAMRY XLE V6...AT 138,000 MILES WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL DURING RUSH HOUR THE ENGINE STALLS AND AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS FINALLY RESTARTS. THE CAR CONTINUED TO NOT IDLE THE REST OF MY TRIP HOME - STALLING EVERY TIME I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP OR TURN A CORNER...VERY UNSAFE...DIDN'T TRUST THE CAR TO MAKE IT TO MECHANIC. CAR WAS TOWED, MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 MORE TIMES WITHIN A WEEK. SAME SCENARIO, TOWED TO MECHANIC, FOUND NOTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THEREFORE THE COMPUTER DOES NOT REGISTER ANY ISSUES. MECHANIC CLEANED ALL SENSORS, IDLE VALVE, DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIND NOTHING WRONG. CAR WAS FINE UNTIL JULY 4, WEEKEND AND DID THE SAME THING TWICE AGAIN. MECHANIC FINDS NOTHING BECAUSE IT SO RANDOM. SAME SITUATION IN NOVEMBER WHILE TURNING CAR STALLED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT IDLE, LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR WHILE TURNING. 3 MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE ISSUES MENTIONED WITH BRAKES AND ROTORS WHICH HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 7, 2009
I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY V6 LE WITH A MILEAGE READING OF ABOUT 115000. I DO REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ALL NECESSARY SERVICES. HOWEVER OFF LATELY THE CAR HAS RANDOMLY STARTED TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THIS HAS STARTED TO BE A BIG PROBLEM AND I HESITATE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR LONG DISTANCE. THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD SPECIALLY WHEN I STOP FOR A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND THEN WOULD REFUSE TO START AGAIN. I HAVE TO KEEP THE GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO STAY IDLE AND NOT DIE. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINS THE CAR WOULD AGAIN START UP AND WORK NORMALLY. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THREE TIMES THIS PAST 2 WEEKS AND ITS SCARY NOW TO EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR ANYWHERE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHERE I GET ALL SERVICES DONE AND HE SAYS EVERYTHING IS FINE, BUT THEN I HAD TWO STALLS AFTER THE VISIT. PROBLEM IS THAT IT STALLS RANDOMLY AND WHEN I TAKE IT TO MECHANIC, IT PERFORMS QUIET WELL WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. I READ TODAY IN MOTORTREND WEBSITE THAT NHTSA IS ENQUIRING ABOUT SOME TOYOTA VEHICLES REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND WAS WONDERING IF THESE INCIDENTS ARE RELATED? *TR THANKS.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 9, 2009
MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 72,500 MILES HAD THE CHECK LIGHT COME ON. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN COLUMBIA, SC. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD SLUDGE AND WOULD SOON STOP WORKING. I TOLD THE DEALER I CHANGED THE OIL REGULARLY WHEN NEEDED BUT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS MY FAULT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 22, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS LEAKAGE FROM THE ENGINE GASKETS DUE TO STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS. HE THEN ADDED THAT HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,900. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/09.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 30, 2009
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, ENGINE STALL/LOW IDLE PROBLEM AT 60K MILES, NO CODES ON OBD REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, COIL PACK, FUEL INJECTION SERVICE BUT STILL SAME PROBLEM, NO ERROR CODE ON DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2009
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS FOUL ODOR COMING FROM HVAC VENTS. DEALER HAS REMOVED FAN ENCLOSURE IN ENGINE AND CLEANED OUT AND ADDED DISINFECTANT. ODOR REMAINS A PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 6, 2009
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, STALLS AS COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC, TURNING OR SOMEONE PULLING IN FRONT OF ME IN TRAFFIC. CAR WILL NOT START FOR 20 MINUTES. WHEN TRYING TO START CAR BEFORE 20 MINUTES IT TURNS OVER BUT NOT START OR HAS A HARD TIME STARTING AND SPUTTERS TILL I CAN PULL OVER OFF THE STREET AND STALLS IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I WAIT THE FULL 20 PLUS MINUTES THE CAR STARTS AS IF NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. BY THE TIME I GET TO THE DEALER OR ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR SAY IT HAS TO DO WITH THE EMISSIONS CONTROL AND THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT MAY BE THAT PROBLEM & I MAY HAVE TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN & I WILL NOT BE REFUNDED MY MONEY & WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE OUT OF THE POCKET. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 YEARS. IT IS WORSE IN THE HEAT & HUMIDITY (HAPPENS MORE OFTEN). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2009
OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP RESULTING IN POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE SEIZURE AND FIRE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 25, 2009
I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALERSHIP AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SO I TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR WHICH HE REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AND SHE WAS JUST ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC'S SHOP WITH THE CAR RUNNING ROUGHLY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE (136,000 MILES) HAD SUFFERED A "BLOWN" HEAD GASKET. HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET BUT WARNED ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE ALUMINUM CASTING OF THE ENGINE THAT THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT WHEN HE REMOVED THE STEEL BOLTS THEY WOULD STRIP OUT THE ALUMINUM THREADS AND THEN I WOULD BE LOOKING AT A NEW ENGINE. UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED - TOTAL COST TO PUT IN A REASONABLY "NEW" USED ENGINE (FROM A 2009 SCION) WAS $5,800. I UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS CAN HAPPEN AND AM NOT UNDULY UPSET THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN HOWEVER, SOMETHING AS BASIC AS KNOWING THAT YOU SHOULD NOT USE STEEL BOLTS IN AN ALUMINUM THREAD SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY TOYOTA. WHEN A REPAIR SUCH AS MINE IS UNDERTAKEN THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF THE BOLTS STRIPPING OUT THE ALUMINUM THREADS. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE COST OF REPAIR GOES FROM APPROXIMATELY 1600 TO REPLACE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET TO 5800 TO REPLACE AN ENTIRE ENGINE. THIS IS REALLY A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO ANY ENGINEER AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY TOYOTA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2009
MY 2002 CAMRY LE CHECK ENG. LIGHT CAME ON FROM A COOLANT LEAK WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR AT THE COST OF $3,500 THE CAR WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD IT WAS A LEASE CERTIFIED BUY BACK ALSO WHEN I BOUGHT IT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WENT BAD LESS THEN A MONTH WAS TOLD I HAD TO FIX ON MY OWN THEY THE MOTOR RAN HOT BUT THE COOLANT GAGE NEVER INDICATED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 17, 2009
AT SUBZERO TEMPERATURE (BELOW 0) CAR STARTS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON (ERROR CODE P1128), TRACTION CONTROL AND VSC DISABLED. IDLE AT 600-800 RPM. ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION PEDAL, SO CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. AFTER WARMING ENGINE UP AND ERASING ERROR CODE FROM ECU CAR DRIVES NORMALLY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 24, 2008
VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING (WHITE SMOKE) I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER HE ADVISED THAT THE PRIOR YEAR VEHICLES HAD A DEFECT OF THE MOTOR SLUDGING UP BUT MY MODEL HAD BEEN REDESIGNED AND THAT IT WAS DUE TO ME NOT CHANGING THE OIL FILTER MY HUSBAND OWNS A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD DONE THE OIL CHANGES AND REPLACED THE FILTERS THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER 50,000 BUT DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2008
3/21/2008 CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY. TOWED 50 MILES INTO DEALERSHIP ALAMO TOYOTA, SAN ANTONIO, TX =NOT WHERE PURCHASED 100 MILES FROM RESIDENCE. TOLD ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS SHEERED OFF INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH CAUSED CRACK. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER FOUND SALVAGE ENGINE WITH 37000 MILES ON IT. OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE PROOF OF THE MILEAGE. DEALER KEPT USED ENGINE $4,000.00+. INCLUDED USED LONGBLOCK, OIL, OIL FILTER COOLANT REAR MAIN SEAL, FIPC, RADIATOR CLEANING. OWNER RENTED AT OWN EXPENSE RENTAL VEHICLE. TOLD CAR WAS REPAIRED. PICKED CAR UP DROVE OFF LOT, TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK INTO DEALERSHIP. CAR WAS MISFIRING. HAD TO LEAVE CAR AGAIN. ADDITIONAL $235.00 TO REPLACE 4 COILS APRIL 11,2008. ON MAY 2 2008, A/C STOPPED COOLING. TOOK CAR INTO CHAMPION TOYOTA, AUSTIN TEXAS. $613.00 FOR AC CONDENSER, CONDENSER ASSY, RELAY, WARRANTY. AC CONDENSER LEAKING, PROBABLY DAMAGED DURING RADIATOR CLEANING AT ALAMO TOYOTA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2008
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY FROM ARLINGTON TOYOTA, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA- NEW IN DECEMBER 2001. WE HAVE ALWAYS OWNED TOYOTAS WITH NO PROBLEMS. PRESENTLY THE CAR HAS 64,000 MILES. ON JUNE 26 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THEN WENT OFF, AFTER THAT THE A/C STOPPED WORKING. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO COGGIN TOYOTA AT THE AVENUES ON JUNE 28 AND WERE GIVEN A BILL OF $1154 WITH AN EXPLANATION THAT THE ENTIRE A/C CONDENSER ASSEMBLY, AIR FLOW SENSOR AND AIR FUEL SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. OBVIOUSLY WE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS AND HAVE IT DONE AS WE'RE GOING OUT OF TOWN AND HAVE A CHILD WHO RIDES IN THIS CAR REGULARLY, BUT THIS IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS. FOR THIS AGE OF A CAR, AND SUPPOSEDLY BEING THE MOST RELIABLE AND HIGHLY RATED CAR FOR THAT YEAR THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY BAD ACCIDENTS AND IS NOT DRIVEN EXCESSIVELY. ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IS PERFORMED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT ON TOYOTA'S PART AND NEEDS TO BE COMPENSATED FOR. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY THIS MUCH FOR A REPAIR ON THIS TYPE OF CAR, WHETHER OR NOT THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. I EXPECTED MUCH MORE FROM TOYOTA THAN WE HAVE PRESENTLY EXPERIENCED AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED. WE HAD PLANNED TO PURCHASE A NEW SIENNA WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS BUT NOW WILL LOOK ELSE WHERE. ************ KRISTI B. GABRIEL, LMT, BA, MBA HEALING WATERS THERAPY *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS SHEERED OFF INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH CAUSED THE CORNER OF THE ENGINE TO CRACK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AS OF JUNE 6, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2008
I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY NEW AND RECENTLY NOTICED THE CAR BLOWING BLUE SMOKE ON START UP IN THE MORNINGS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER WHERE THEY DID AN EVAL. THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT I HAVE THE VALVE STEM SEALS REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $2,000.00. I WAS SHOCKED. MY CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 77,000 MILES. HOW COULD THIS BE? I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR, GETTING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES (AND HAVE THE RECEIPTS AND RECORDS TO PROVE IT. IN FACT THE DEALER HANDLED ALL THE OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE FOR ME, UP TILL THE LAST 2 OIL CHANGES.) I KNOW THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR AN OIL SLUDGE/GEL PROBLEM, WHICH AFTER READING EVERYTHING ON THE INTERNET, I BELIEVE IS PROBABLY THE REAL ISSUE WITH MY CAR, BUT EVERYTHING I'VE READ SAYS IT ENDED WITH THE 2001 CAMRY MODELS. HAVE YOU HEARD OR RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2002 MODELS AS WELL? ANY INFORMATION OR ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE ME WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CHARCOAL CANISTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,630. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED *JB 07/15/08
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 28, 2007
AT ABOUT 105,000 MILES ON MY 2002 CAMRY V6, THE CAR EXPERIENCED HESITATING DRIVING WHILE DRIVEN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH WHEN REMOVING SLIGHTLY THE FOOT FROM THE THROTTLE PEDAL. THE CAR IS BUCKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD FOR INDEFINITE TIME UNTIL THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED OR FULLY PRESSED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION SINCE ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED CANNOT BE DECREASED OR INCREASED ANY TIME. NOTIFIED DEALER AND TOLD THAT THIS CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED SINCE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE GENERATED (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON). REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS AT 108,000 MILES ON AUG 24, 2007. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. SPOUSE NOTICED INCREASED BUCKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. PERFORMED TEST DRIVE WITH TECHNICIAN IN THE CAR AND THE DIAGNOSE SYSTEM HOOKED TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. DETECTED SOME MISFIRES ON CYLINDERS 5 AND 6. REPLACED SOLENOID IGNITION PACKS FOR CYLINDER 5 & 6 AND TEST DROVE AGAIN. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT FUEL INJECTORS ARE CLOGGED. PERFORMED FUEL INJECTORS PURGE (CLEANING). PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL FUEL INJECTORS AND SOLENOID IGNITION PACKS. CAR WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY DURING THE OWNERSHIP. OIL & FILTER CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES, REPLACED AIR FILTER EVERY 30,000 MILES, REPLACED TIMING BELT AND BELT TENSIONERS AT 87,000 MILES, REPLACED WATER PUMP AT 87,000 MILES, FLUSHED TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 87,000 MILES. FROM READING VARIOUS CUSTOMERS COMPLAINTS, IT APPEARS TO BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT DEALER DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 25, 2007
TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2.4 L WINTER WEATHER CAUSE TO VVT ON AUTO TO FAIL AND STALL ENGINE. STALLED ENGINE CAUSED LOST OF CONTROLS, STEERING, BRAKES, ETC..PARTS REPLACED WERE OXYGEN SENSORS, CAT.CONVERTOR, ETC.. THE VVT IS VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL ALONG WITH OCM, PCM, THROTTLE SENSOR, MASS AIR SENSOR WHICH REGULATES THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 12, 2006
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2001, USED WITH 17K MILES, FORM TOYOTA OF DURHAM. I HAVE 105K MILES NOW ON IT. I KEPT THE ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND HAD SLUGGISH OIL PROBLEMS EVERY TIME I GOT MY OIL CHANGED. THERE WAS NO DOCUMENTED OIL SLUGGISH PROBLEM FROM TOYOTA. MY VEHICLE IS CLICKING WITH A STRANGE SOUND. I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT IS GOING. BUT HE ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. I DID AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE ENGINE. I NEED A NEW ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE, NO WAY. HOW IS IT THAT A TOYOTA CAMRY WITH BARELY 100K MILES NEED A NEW ENGINE AND NOTHING IS SAID TO BE WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTA AND LEXUS MODELS FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND HAVE YET TO DEAL WITH SUCH SHAME IN THEIR MODELS. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED AT THIS MESS OF A CAR. SURELY, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOMETHING THAT NEED TO BE DONE AT A CERTAIN TIME BUT WHY IS IT THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE REQUIRED? I AM REALLY NOT GOING TO BE THE BEST PERSON PROMOTING TOYOTA CARS IN THE FUTURE. I HAD PLANS ON LOOKING INTO THE TOYOTA SIENNA FOR MY FAMILY. BUT THE ODYSSEY IS LOOKING MUCH BETTER NOW. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 19, 2006
I WAS COMING HOME ONE DAY AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE O2 SENSOR GOING BAD. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION SO I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I WAS VERY CONCERN BY THESE TWO DIFFERENT ANSWERS, SO I WENT TO A THIRD DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS INDEED THE O2 SENSOR. AFTER HAVING THAT REPLACED, WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON AGAIN. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 5, 2006, crash
I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT. I SUDDENLY HEARD MY ENGINE REV AND LOOKED AT THE DASH. THE RPM'S WERE ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE RIGHT. MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD, HARD, AND HIT A LINCOLN NAVIGATOR IN FRONT OF ME. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD, WITH BOTH FEET, TO TRY AND STOP, BUT ULTIMATELY HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO STOP IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. I AM NOW WAITING FOR AN INVESTIGATION, WHICH THEY HAVE TOLD ME COULD TAKE UP TO 30 DAYS. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE, THEY HAVE ANOTHER 30 DAYS TO FIX IT. I AM IN SALES AND USE MY CAR ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. THEY WEREN'T VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2006
MY CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND MY SON WOULD CHECK THE CODE (PO420) THEN SEND ME TO THE DEALER. I TOOK THIS CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS DURING THIS TIME. THE FIRST TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CHANGED A SENSOR CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE NEXT TIME TO LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER IN MY AREA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A BAD SENSOR (SAME ONE THAT HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED) AFTER I TOLD THEM THAT SENSOR HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED THEY CAME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT SENSOR. I LEFT THIS DEALER AND SHORTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN AND I WENT BACK TO THE SECOND DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS, DURING WHICH TIME MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE FIRST SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM WAS ISSUED ON MAY 24, 2004 AND THE SECOND ON JULY 27, 2004. NOW THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT THESE SERVICE BULLETINS. I INTEND TO TAKE THIS ISSUE UP WITH TOYOTA AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BACK IN 2004. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 10, 2006
THE 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, PURCHASED USED FROM RAY BRANDT TOYOTA IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS PAST MONDAY. SHE BARELY MISSED A HEAD-ON COLLISION, BECAUSE SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I ADVISED HER TO BRING THE CAMRY IMMEDIATELY TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA?? S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SHE TURNED IT OVER TO THEM THAT SAME AFTERNOON. THE NEXT DAY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP. EVEN WITH THE PROBLEM OCCURRING AT THE SHOP, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE THAT DAY. YESTERDAY, SHEILA, A RAY BRANDT TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD SOLVED THIS TYPE OF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BEFORE. I ASKED IF THE DIAGNOSTIC COST WOULD RUN INTO THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. SHE SAID $300 WOULD MOST LIKELY BE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TIME TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. SHE ADDED THAT SHE WOULD BE CALLING ME WITH THE RESOLUTION TODAY. TODAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:45 PM I WENT IN PERSON TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER RAY BRANDT TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED MIKE. I ASKED HIM HAD RAY BRANDT TOYOTA SOLVED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. MIKE STATED THAT YES THEY HAD ALTHOUGH IT TOOK 2 WEEKS AND COST $850. MIKE TOLD ME TO BE PATIENT; GIVE RAY BRANDT TOYOTA TIME TO FIX IT. LATER THIS AFTERNOON SHEILA TOLD MY MOTHER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING RAY BRANDT TOYOTA??S SERVICE COULD DO TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS, OF COURSE A DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO WHAT SHE STATED TO ME YESTERDAY. MY MOTHER THEN AGAIN EXPRESSED HER CONCERN THAT THE CAR WAS A DEATH TRAP. SHEILA AGREED THAT THE CAR WAS, IN FACT, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SHE NEVERTHELESS TOLD MY MOTHER TO COME PICK THE CAR UP. DOING THAT TO MY MOTHER WAS DESPICABLE. *NM