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: power train
77 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Mar 10, 2004
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.4L, AUTOMATIC SUDDEN ENGINE RACING, ONCE AT 17,000 MLS. AND AGAIN AT 18,030. THE FIRST TIME ,MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE ,I SHIFTED OUT OF PARK INTO D , WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE ,THE ENGINE RACED PAST 5000 RPMS. THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD ,BUT BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS STILL OVER THE BRAKE PEDAL I ONLY HAD TO PUSHED HARD AS POSSIBLE ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE RACED ON ,THE CAR WAS STRAINING TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED THE SHIFTER INTO PARK.THE CAR STOPPED MOVING BUT THE ENGINE WENT TO REDLINE, I TURNED THE CAR OFF.I CHECKED WHICH PEDAL MY FOOT WAS ON AND IT WAS STILL PRESSED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKES. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON,THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY. I THINK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK THE DRIVE-BY-WIRE COMPUTER IS MALFUNTIONING. RECALL THEM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES AND OR GETS HURT. I THINK TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT. I PITY THE PERSON WHO RENTS A CAMRY AN IS UNAWARE OF THE DEFECT AND DOESN'T HAVE THERE FOOT READY ON THE BRAKE AND PREPARED TO SHUT OF THE IGNITION SAFELY. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2004
I SAW AN ARTICLE TODAY ON WWW.CNNFN.COM ABOUT TOYOTA CAMRY SAFETY INVESTIGATION REGARDING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE HAS THAT PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED TO ME 3 OR 4 TIMES ALREADY DURING LOW SPEED DRIVING. I DID NOT WRITE DOWN THE DATES WHEN IT HAPPENED, SO I PLACED 12/01/03 BELOW. UPDATED 10/22/10 *BF I AM ALSO GOING TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO MY SERVICE AS SOON AS I CAN. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE COMPLAINT TO REMAIN ACTIVATED. UPDATED IVOQ 10/26/10*JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2004
(IN REFERENCE TO YOUR OPEN INVESTIGATION PE04021) I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, RECENTLY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (15,000 MILES), MY COMPLAINT WAS THAT THE CAR HAS SUDDEN AND SHORT SURGES OF EXCELERATION WHILE AT A FULL STOP. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENT OR INJURY TO OTHERS BY KEEPING MY FOOT COMPLETELY AND FIRMLY DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PETAL. THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE CONDITION. DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO PROCEDURE TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IF IT CONTINUED THEY WOULD HAVE TO CONTRACT TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS FOR ADVISE. I REQUESTED THAT THIS BE DOCUMENTED ON THE CARS HISTORY. AFTER HEARING OF THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION, I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO OPEN A CASE TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVE. THE DEALERSHIP CUSTOMER RALATIONS MANAGER (COLLEEN) IS TO CONTACT ME BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2004
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE, SINCE I GOT THE CAR NEW IT STARTED TO LUNGE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE SITTING AT STOP LIGHTS/SIGNS. I WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS RUNNING AS MANUFACTURED. I SAID THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. ALSO, SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IT WANTS TO STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. AGAIN, NO DEALER WILL HELP. SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT THE DEALERS WON'T HELP. I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO KEEP RUNNING TO DEALERS, THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT A NEW CAR. THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. AS TIMES GOES BY, IT'S GETTING WORSE, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2004, crash
I WAS IN "REVERSE" AND BACKED INTO A CONCRETE POLE IN MY OFFICE PARKING GARAGE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR JUMPED INTO "DRIVE," AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED, AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO MY EFFORTS TO BRAKE. I THEN HIT A CONCRETE POLE HEAD ON, WHICH TOTALED MY VEHICLE.*AK ON A PRIOR OCCASION THAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY 2003, THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 60-65 MPH. WITHOUT INPUT, THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED RAPIDLY TO 80-85 MPH. THE CONSUMER CANCELLED THE CRUISE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEN TURNED OFF THE CRUISE MASTER SWITCH. UPDATED 7/3/12*CN
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Other, Power train, Air bags, Structure, Seats, Jan 17, 2004
1. LOUD CREAKING AND RATTLES: AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRS, THE PROBLEM FINALLY TURNED OUT TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THEY LEFT PLASTIC ASSEMBLY GUIDES IN PLACE, WHICH THEY HAD TO REMOVE BY REMOVING THE WINDOW AGAIN (THIS WAS A SUPER SECRET SERVICE BULLETIN THAT WAS DIVULGED ONLY WHEN THE CUSTOMER ENGINEER FOR NEW ENGLAND SHOWED UP). BUT HE DEALERSHIP MANAGED TO CHIP THE PAINT IN THE PROCESS, REQUIRING THE ROOF TO BE REPAINTED. ONCE THE CREAK WAS GONE, THE INTERIOR RATTLES WERE UNBEARABLE FROM ALL THE QUALITY WORK COMPLETED. 2. TRANSMISSION ISSUE: I'VE BEEN ASSURED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ME DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NORMAL THE TRANSMISSION TAKE AT LEAST A MILE SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR WHEN BELOW 30F AND TO A LESSER DEGREE DURING WARM WEATHER. THE CAR WON'T SHIFT INTO THIRD OR OVERDRIVEN UNTIL AFTER LEAST 1-2 MINUTE OF DRIVING, NO MATTER WHAT SPEED. 3. TRANSMISSION ISSUE: WHEN LIFTING OFF THE THROTTLE FROM 60 TO 55MPH ON A DOWNHILL, THERE'S A "HITCH" OR BUCKING WHERE THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY CATCHES, THEN RELEASES. ALMOST LIKE IT DOWN SHIFTING, BUT IT STOPS HALF WAY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ANNOYING PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. THE BUCKING PROBLEM IS ANNOYING AND PROBLEMATIC. IT WAS SOLVED BY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SHOWED UP AGAIN AT 42,000 MILES. THEY ARE BLAMING IT ON THE ADAPTIVE MICRO-PROCESSOR AND MY DRIVING STYLE. (WARRANTY) 4. DOOR RATTLES: DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS RATTLE/TICK WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT WAS LET GO ABOUT THE RATTLE, AND HE EXPLAINED IT'S NORMAL FOR NEW CAMRY'S TO HAVE THE DOORS MAKE THAT MAKE NOISE. CONSTANT USE OF SILICONE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP. 5. AIRBAG RECALL 6. PASSENGER SEAT REPLACEMENT DUE TO POOR CONSTRUCTION AND SQUEAKING 7. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR DEFECTIVE CHARCOAL CANISTER 8. WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS 9. PEALING CHROME ON PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE. (WARRANTY) 10. FLAKING PAINT ON EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. * CB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 15, 2004
AT 1,500 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON NOVEMBER 8, 2002 AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL I ARRIVED AT HOME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON NOVEMBER 11TH AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY WERE GOING TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION BUT NEEDED A PART. IT IS NOW NOVEMBER 25TH AND THE PART STILL HASN'T ARRIVED AND THE CAR HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED.
Steering, Power train, Nov 19, 2003
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD A TOUGH TIME ENGAGING INTO GEAR. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S CONCERN.*AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 3, 2003
UNRELIABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE FROM STOPPED OR SLIGHTLY ROLLING.. SOMETIMES RESPONDS SMARTLY, MOST OF THE TIME HESITATES AND/OR RESPONDS THEN HESITATES. SOMETIMES LETTING YOU LINGER FOR A SECOND OR TWO PARTIALLY ACROSS TWO LANES(INFREQUENT) BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS THING IS GOING TO DO IT TO YOU!. EVENTS ARE CONTINUOUS. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. OF COURSE THEY ALSO SAID MY DRIVER POWER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE OR SLIP. FOUND THE SB ON THAT, WILL PROVIDE THEM A COPY NEXT TIME IN FOR SSERVICE.*AK
Power train, Aug 27, 2003
WE HAVE A BRAND NEW 2002 CAMRY XLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD IT "JUMPS" INTO DRIVE WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP THERE IS USUALLY NO PROBLEM. *AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Aug 12, 2003
THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARSHLY INTO DRIVE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD BUT WHEN WARMED UP THE VEHICLE DROVE SMOOTHLY. THE STEERING WHEEL HUMMED WHEN TURNED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT A BUSHING FOR THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. THE UPPER AND LOWER BELT MOLDING AROUND THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAME OFF. A FAULTY CHARCOAL CANISTER CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *AK *NLM
Power train, Mar 26, 2003
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND BEFORE THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE CONSUMER REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT OTHERS REPORTED SIMILAR CONCERNS. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A LACK OF LOCK ON THE TRANSMISSION. *NLM *NLM
Power train, Feb 20, 2003
TRANSMISSION LINKAGE PROBLEMS. WHEN SLOWING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR WHILE IN MOTION, UPON ACCELERATION, TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS AND THEN UPSHIFTS ABRUPTLY IN A VERY DISTURBING ABNORMAL WAY. IT HAPPENS CONSTANTLY DURING NORMAL CITY DRIVING. YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL TO BE "GENTLE" WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWING DOWN. THIS WILL BE MY VERY LAST TOYOTA.
Power train, Feb 12, 2003
THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE OUT OF GEAR, AND IF IT DID MOVE OUT OF GEAR, IT ABRUPTLY DOWN SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR WHILE DRIVING.*AK 2002 TOYOTA SPYDER) *JB
Power train, Dec 26, 2002
WHEN DRIVING MY CAMRY AT A MAINTAINED SPEED THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFT AND THEN UPSHIFT CAUSING THE CAR TO BOUNCE FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARDS. THIS PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILLS BUT WILL SOMETIMES HAPPEN ON LEVEL ROADS. THE CAR WILL SOMTIMES DO THIS UP TO 6 TIMES BEFORE GOING BACK TO DRIVING LIKE NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WITH THE CAR IN EITHER OVER-DRIVE OR DRIVE. TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Nov 8, 2002, crash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING A ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
Power train, Oct 21, 2002
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSIMISSION BEEN REPLACED SEVEREAL TIMES. TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Sep 18, 2002
FRONT RIGHT AXLE HAD BROKEN 6 MONTHS AFTER THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANAGER INDICATED THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN BROKEN WHEN PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND WHEN ROTATING THE TIRES. THE3 ARM WHICH HOLDS THE FOOT BRAKE HAS A CURVITURE IN IT SUCH THAT ANY PERSON WITH A SIZE 12 SHOE CAN CATCH THE TOE OF THE SHOE IN IT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE. *SCC
Power train, Sep 16, 2002
VEHICLE PULSATING BETWEEN 38 TO 40 MPH WHEN APPLYING GEAR, VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD CLUNKNIG NOISE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*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
Power train, Sep 3, 2002
VEHICLE GOES INTO OVERDRIVE WHEN DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LAG, GOING TOO SLOWLY IN THE APPROPRIATE GEAR CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SUSTAIN A FOWARD AND BACKWARD ROCKING MOTION, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLES EARLY LOCK UP INTO OVERDRIVE IS A CHARACTERISTIC, THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED CONSUMER TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM OVERDRIVE AT THAT SPEED AND THEN PUT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO OVERDRIVE WHEN SPEED INCREASES, THEREFORE PUTTING IT INTO 3RD GEAR INCREASES THE ENGINE NOISE, INCREASES THE RPMS AND REDUCES THE VEHICLES FUEL ECONOMY, HOWEVER THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES ALWAYS DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH OVERDRIVE ON FOR BETTER FUEL ECONOMY.*JB
Power train, Jun 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, PASSENGER LIGHTLY TOUCHED SHIFT LEVER AS SHE TURNED ON AIR CONDITIONER, IT SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES, DEALER STATED THIS WAS THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. *AK THESE EVENTS WERE CAUSED BY INADVERTENT BRUSH OF THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE WHEN REACHING ACROSS. CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT A VERY LIGHT TAP TO THE GEAR SHIFT WHILE IN "D" CAUSES IT TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND INSTANTLY DECELERATE. *JG
Power train, Jun 5, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD BY ITSELF, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT IT DID NOT WORK, CONSUMER PULLED THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO REVERSE AND THEN THE PARK POSITION IT STILL DID NOT MOVE FOWARD UNTILTHE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, ON THE SECOND OCCASION THE VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL IT HIT A PARK CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.*YD
Power train, May 30, 2002
I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE WITH MY NEW CAMRY THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING. WHILE DECENDING DOWN A HILL ( BETWEEN 40 AND 45) AND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR WILL DOWN SHIFT VERY (CAN EVEN HEAR/FEEL A CLUCK) HARD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN AND IS NOT NORMAL. *AK
Power train, May 29, 2002
I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A 2002 CAMRY LE V6 AUTOMATIC (WITH OVERDRIVE). I HAVE 450 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE CAR SHIFTS WHEN LEFT IN OVERDRIVE. I TRAVEL 25 MILES ONE WAY ON BACK ROADS AT WHICH I CAN MAINTAIN SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 AND 55. MOVING ALONG BETWEEN THESE SPEEDS I FEEL THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY HOLDING BACK AND LETTING GO (I CAN SEE THE RPM'S DROP BY 500 RPM AND THEN GO BACK UP AGAIN WHEN THIS HAPPENS). THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO ME. THIS DOES THIS QUITE OFTEN ON MY COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK. THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS TO LEAVE THE CAR IN OVERDRIVE AND I ONLY NEED TO TAKE IT OUT WHEN CLIMBING HILLS AT LOWER SPEEDS AND WHEN HAULING A TRAILER. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS IN THE MANNER I AM DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH OVERDRIVE WHICH I LEAVE IN OVERDRIVE ALL THE TIME AND DO NOT NOTICE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *AK