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: hydraulic
156 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 16, 2003
2002 CAMRY LE. BRAKES WERE FINE UNTIL ABOUT 1K MILES. PEDAL BEGAN SINKING TO THE FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER. BRAKES STILL GO TO FLOOR WITH CONSTANT PRESSURE. THEY ARE MUSHY, INTERMITTENTLY GRAB, AND FADE QUICKLY. SOMETIMES GRABBING. THE FEEL SEEMS TO VARY. DEALER SAYS ALL IS NORMAL. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 15, 2003
THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 1/9/2003 AND STATED THE BRAKES WERE FINE. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 14, 2003
BRAKE FAILURE OF 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY V6 WITH ABS BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOORBOARD, BRAKES MAKE LOUD RATCHETING / GRINDING SOUND, CAR DOES NOT STOP. ON THREE OCCASIONS, APPROACHING STOPS AT LESS THAN 30 MPH, CAR HAS GONE THROUGH LIMIT LINE EXCEEDING STOPPING POINT BY AT LEAST 10 FEET, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY MANUFACTURER THREE TIMES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" FOR ABS BRAKES. PAPERWORK FROM SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALSO INDICATES THAT CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM AFRAID TO PUT MYSELF, A PASSENGER, OR ANOTHER MOTORIST AT RISK. THE CAR IS JUST OVER ONE-YEAR-OLD, AND I HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO TOYOTA 4-26-03 REQUESTING A FULL REFUND UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 7, 2003
WHEN THE PAVEMENT WAS WET AND THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Apr 26, 2003
WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL OF MY 2002 CAMRY XLE, THE PEDAL CAN BE DEPRESSED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT MY FOOT ALSO RESTS ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP AND THE CAR NOT TO STOP AS EXPECTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE. *NLM THE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR IS AN AUTO DIMMING TYPE AND DOES NOT HAVE A MANUAL DEVICE TO ORIENT THE MIRROR WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATES THE MIRROR DOES NOT DIM SUFFICIENTLY (OR AT ALL) TO PREVENT ANNOYING GLARE FROM THE HEADLIGHTS OF FOLLOWING VEHICLES. THE MIRROR MUST BE MANUALLY TILTED AT NIGHT CAUSING LOSS OF MIRROR USE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 18, 2003
BRAKE PEDAL ON 2002 CAMRY TOUCHES FLOOR WHILE I AM STOPPED AT LIGHT. NO ACCIDENTS YET, BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. (LOW BRAKE PEDAL) I HAVE SCHEDULED ANOTHER CHECKUP FOR THE BRAKES. WHAT CAN I DO? *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 9, 2003
BRAKES ARE VERY SPONGY AND PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR IF CONTINUOUS PRESSURE IS APPLIED. NOT ABLE TO COME TO A STOP QUICKLY IF NEEDED.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 24, 2003
BRAKES SQUEALING. HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS ISSUE WITH DEALERSHIP WHEN EVER I GO FOR SERVICE AND ALSO INDEPENDENTLY AT ONE TIME. DEALER DOES SOMETHING AND THE BRAKES STOP MAKING NOISE FOR 1-2 DAYS. AFTER THAT ITS THE SAME. THE BRAKES MAKES SUCH A GREAT EAR PIERCING NOISE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 13, 2003
THE BRAKES SQUEAKED WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED, HOWEVER THE DEALER DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 10, 2003
THERE WAS A SHAKE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM UNDER THE RIGHT WHEEL. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Mar 8, 2003
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN PROBLEMS, FIRST IT WAS THE BRAKES VIBRATING, TOOK IT IN AND RIGHT AWAY THE DEALER KNEW WHAT IT WAS WITHOUT ME EVEN EXPLAINING IT TO HIM, THEY FIXED THAT IN 2 TRIPS. THEN IT WAS THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.(THEN WHY DOES MY CAR STINK WHEN I TRY TO GET POWER OUT OF THE ENGINE?) THEN IT WAS THE KNOCKING AND PINGING IN THE ENGINE, (I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT MY OCTANE LEVEL WAS LOW TO UPGRADE MY GAS. THE MANUFACTURERS PROVIDED OWNERS MANUAL STATES 87 OCTANE GAS OR HIGHER, I ALREADY USE 89 OCTANE AND HAVE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR, SO WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO SPEND MONEY ON HIGHER PRICED GAS WHEN THE CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD AND THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY NOISES. NOW IT IS THE TIRES AND ALIGNMENT THE ALIGNMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF THAT THE TIRES ARE DESTROYED WITH ONLY 17,250 MILES ON THEM, YET THE CAR SHOWS NO SIGN OF THE ALIGNMENT BEING OFF, IT DRIVES STRAIGHT STAYS IN ONE LANE AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS EVEN STRAIGHT, SO HOW AFTER ONE YEAR WITH LOW MILES IS THE ALIGNMENT OFF AND THE TIRES ARE DESTROYED, AND WHY WAS IT UNNOTICED WHEN I HAD MY TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED 2 MONTHS EARLIER AT 15,000 MILES? BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP! I FEEL THAT THIS CAR HAS ALOT OF PROBLEMS THAT THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO ADDRESS, LOOK AT HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND WE ARE ALL TOLD THAT IT IS WEAR AND TEAR OR THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM AT ALL, WELL THEN WHY ARE WE ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS? I CALLED TOYOTA'S MAIN OFFICE LOGGED A COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO ME, IT HAS BEEN 3 DAYS NOW AND NOT ONE CALL HAS COME MY WAY! I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO THIS CAR SINCE IT IS A NATION WIDE PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A $27000.00 CAR THAT HAS DEPRECIATED IN VALUE BY MORE THAN $7000.00 IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR, WHAT HAPPENED TO TOYOTA'S RETAINING THERE VALUE? I WISH EVERYBODY MUCH LUCK WITH THEIR ISSUES. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 7, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS POOR BRAKING DURING HARD STOP. BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. DURING NORMAL BRAKING, BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY LOW. WHEN YOU PUMP BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKS. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED BRAKES AND SAYS THIS IS NORMAL CONDITION.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 4, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AND TAPPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SCC *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 2, 2003
THE FRONT DISK BRAKE ROTORS ARE REPEATEDLY WARPING DESPITE NORMAL DRIVING HABITS, CAUSING SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING AND POSSIBLY COMPROMISING VEHICLE STOPPING ABILITY. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS AT 7,000 MILES, SECOND AT 15,000, THIRD AT 27,000. ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AT FIRST TWO OCCURRENCES TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT PROBLEM. TOYOTA WARRANTY SERVICE ONLY PROVIDES FOR RESURFACING RATHER THAN PART REPLACEMENT. IS THIS PROBLEM DUE TO DEFECTIVE ROTOR MATERIALS AND/OR FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN?*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 25, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, CONSUMER WOULD ALSO HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.*JB THE CONSUMER'S ACCESS TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IS IMPEDED, OR INHIBITED DURING APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE FOOTWELL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT ASSEMBLY.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 20, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 10, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Jan 15, 2003
THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR, AND IT WOULD FEEL AS IF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, THE CARPET HAD TO BE REGLUED IN THE TRUNK WHICH WOULD HANG DOWN, THERE WAS AN INTERIOR RATTLE IN THE CARPET, AND THE WASHERS FELL OUT THE RIGHT REAR DOOR, THE BRAKE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR ON DRY TO NORMAL ROAD SURFACES. SCC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 14, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPS, INCIDENT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE HAD STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. (VERY UNSAFE) THE DEALER BLAMES IT ON THE DESIGN. *SCC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Dec 24, 2002
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED ACCIDENTALLY, WHICH CAUSED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. TS THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR, BELOW THE GAS PEDAL WHICH HAD FELT SPONGY. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER WHICH STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, THE BRAKES STILL REMAINED THE SAME. SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 8, 2002
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKES CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30MPH AND HE HAD APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND WHICH IT CAUSE INTO A SIDE PAVIMENT. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS PRESENT TIME. TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 7, 2002
ATTEMPTED TO BRING VEHICLE TO STOP BY APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN PARKING INTO A PARKING SPOT AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A STOP, RESULTING INTO A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A BUILDING'S OUTER WALL. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 1, 2002
ON TWO OCCASION SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70 MPH) IF THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED STRONG TO AVOID A COLLISION YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL 180 DEGREES ACROSS THREE LANES OF FREEWAY AND ENDED UP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON THE SHOULDER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN THE DESCRIBED FASHION THE REAR OF THE CAR BEGINS TO SKID INTO AN OUT OF CONTROL SITUATION. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 3, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL REQUIRES EXCESSIVE EFFORT AND TRAVELS VERY CLOSE TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. CONSUMER CONTACTED MFR WHO ADVISED THAT THE BRAKING ACTION IS A NORMAL OCCURENCE WITH A NEW BRAKING SYSTEM INSTALLED. *NLM THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY A MANUFACTURING REP THAT THE PEDAL TRAVELS. *SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 27, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *MR