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 and engine cooling
111 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2002
TAIL PIPE IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 11, 2002
THERE IS A BAD LINKAGE BETWEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, AND THERE IS A LOUD NOISE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS SLACK IN THE DRIVETRAIN. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2002
THERE IS A VERY STRONG ROTTEN EGG/SULPHER ODOR EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN A SHORT OR LONG DISTANCE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ODOR WAS CAUSED BY HIGH SULPHER CONTENT IN THE GASOLINE THAT I WAS PUTTING IN THE CAR AND THAT I SHOULD TRY DIFFERENT BRANDS OF GASOLINE TO SEE WHICH ONE CAUSED THE LEAST ODOR. I HAVE TRIED 3 DIFFERENT BRANDS AND THE ODOR IS STILL THE SAME. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER TWICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT SINCE IT WAS THE GASOLINE THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEH ENGINE OR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THAT EITHER THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2002
ROTTEN EGG SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE CAB SINCE I LEASED IT , BEEN IN SHOP 5 TIMES THEY ASKED ME TO DO THINGS LIKE PUT BLUE PLANET GAS IN IT AND DRIVE IT FOR ALONG TIME NONE OF THIS SEEM TO WORK LAST TIME WAS THEY SWAPED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND CONVERTERS FROM ANOTHER 2002 CAMRY AND THE GAS SMELL IS STILL THERE. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING..THE SMELL IS TO THE POINT WHERE IT MAKES MY DAUGHTER AND I HAVE HEADACHES. AT ONE POINT I HAD TOYOTA TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME....IM NOT SURE IF MY CAR HAS A DEFECT DUE TO SOME OTHER REASON IT SEEMS FUNNY TO ME THAT THEY JUST DONT KNOW WHATS WRONG WITH THIS CAR.THERE IS ALSO A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STERRING THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL TOO? NOT SURE ABOUT WHATS GOING ON .....AND THOUGHT SOMEONE ELSE LIKE YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT. THANKS TAMMY COLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jun 18, 2002
A STRANGE ODOR WAS COMING INTO CAB OF VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER STATED IT WAS CARBON MONOXIDE. CONSUMER STATED THAT SUNROOF WAS VACUUMING FUMES BACK INTO VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2002
EXHAUST SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TO GROUND AND MAY CAUSES A POTENTIAL FIRE, MAKING CONTACT WITH DEBRIS. DEALER AND MANFUCTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK *YH
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 22, 2002
WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY, I WAS STARTLED WHEN AN OBJECT SUDDENLY FELL/DROPPED ONTO MY ANKLE/FOOT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE'S DASH. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SELLING DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT OBJECT WHICH FELL OFF WAS THE "DRIVER'S SIDE AIR FLOW DUCT." FURTHER INFORMED THAT PIECE FELL OFF BECAUSE A CLIP(S) WAS EITHER NOT INSTALLED DURING ASSEMBLY OR, CLIP FELL OFF DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY INCIDENT. NOTE: STILL AWAITING FOR SPECIAL ORDER PART (CLIP) TO ARRIVE AT DEALERSHIP.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 13, 2001
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, DASHBOARD COMPLETELY ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 15, 2001, fire
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE. WHEN CONSUMER SAW SMOKE STOPPED VEHICLE, AND THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN ENGINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY IN FLAMES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. *YD