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: service brakes
185 reports, newest first. Show all
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, Air, Oct 8, 2002
PROBLEMS WITH REAR ROTORS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *MR
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2002
THE BRAKES MAKE A "PLINK" SOUND, LIKE A UKELELE STRING BEING PLUCKED, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IF CONSTANT PRESSURE IS APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST, THE MASTER CYLINDER, BLED THE BRAKE LINES, AND ADJUSTED THE LINKAGE BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I HAVE A SECOND 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, VIN [XXX], THAT I BOUGHT AT THE SAME TIME WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VIN'S ARE WITHIN 1,200 NUMBERS OF EACH OTHER. PH. *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**767459 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2002
THE BRAKES MAKE A "PLINK" SOUND, LIKE A UKELELE STRING BEING PLUCKED, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR IF CONSTANT PRESSURE IS APPLIED. I HAVE ANOTHER 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, VIN [XXX], THAT I BOUGHT AT THE SAME TIME WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST, THE MASTER CYLINDER, BLEED THE BRAKE LINES, AND ADJUSTED THE LINKAGE ON THAT CAR BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE PROBLEM ON THE OTHER 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS REPORTED ON ODI # 767459. THE VIN FOR THE SECOND 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I REFERRED TO IN THAT REPORT WAS MISSTATED AS [XXX]. THE VIN IN THIS REPORT IS CORRECT.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2002
WE HAVE OWNED CAMRYS SINCE 1985. TOOK DELIVERY THIS CAR W/3 MILES ON ODOMETER - BRAKES FELT "MUSHY" BUT GAVE THEM A BREAK-IN PERIOD OF SEVERAL 100 MILES, THEN RETURNED CAR TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT OF MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL - EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL & INSTANCES OF THE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR. SVC WRITER NEVER WROTE UP AN R/O AND SAID THAT THAT WAS THE THE WAY THE "NEW" BRAKES WERE SUPPOSED TO FEEL. UN-SATISFIED WITH THE EXPLANATION ICONTACTED TOYOTA'S E-MAIL RESPONSE LINE AND COMPLAINED. THEY ARRANGED A RETURN SERVICE APPT WITH THE DEALER - R/O WAS WRITTEN UP AND REAR BRAKES WERE "CLEANED AND ADJUSTED" - THE CAR WAS NEVER TEST DRIVEN RE: THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. PROBLEM WAS UN-CORRECTED. CONTACTED TOYOTA'S E-MAIL SERVICE AGAIN AND A PERSONAL APPT W/DEALERS SVC SUPV WAS MADE. NO R/O WAS WRITTEN UP BUT HE TOOK A TEST DRIVE IN MY CAR & ALLOWED ME TO TEST DRIVE A 2002 "DEMONSTRATOR." UNFORTUNATELY THE BRAKES REACTED AND FELT THE SAME WAY IN BOTH VEHICLES. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE RE-DESIGNED BRAKE SYSTEM GAVE THIS EFFECT AND, FURTHER, THAT THE LENGTHY PEDAL TRAVEL COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED OUT. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THESE RE-DESIGNED BRAKES CAN BE CONSIDERED SAFE! THE PEDAL TRAVEL IF AT LEAST 4-5 INCHES LONG AND BEFORE THE BRAKING EFFECT EVEN BEGINS THE LEVEL OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BELOW THAT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT CENTERED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (AS IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION) IT IS ENTIRELY CONCEIVABLE THAT ONE COULD BE CONTACTING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME, BOTH BRAKING AND ACCELERATING SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE LONG PEDAL TRAVEL BEFORE THE BRAKES TAKE EFFECT ADDS AN EXTRA REACTION TIME TO THE STOPPING PROCESS THEREBY LENGTHENING THE STOPPING DISTANCE. I AM MOST UNHAPPY WITH THESE BRAKES AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 17 YEARS, UNHAPPY AND DISSATISFIED WITH TOYOTA'S RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM. I DEFINITELY FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE THAN OUR SECOND CAR, A '99 CAMRY.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 21, 2002
AFTER THE CAR HAS STOPPED THE BRAKES BLEED OFF AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES CLEAR TO THE FLOOR!!*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 16, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES DURING NORMAL BRAKING PROCEDURE, THERE IS AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, THE PEDAL FEELS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED 4 TIMES BY DEALER, CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AKCONSUMER IS AFRAID TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TOYOTA DEALERS STATE THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE VERIFIED BEFORE ANY WORK CAN BE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. NO PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND. THE DEALER CONSIDERS EVERYTHING TO BE OPERATING IN ITS NORMAL FUNCTION. *JG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 8, 2002
HYDRAULIC BRAKES; VEHICLE FAILS TO RESPOND TO BRAKE APPLICATION WITH PEDAL DESCENDING TO FLOORBOARD. DEALER STATES THAT PEDAL'S TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR IS NORMAL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 1, 2002, crash
LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND CAR JUMP TO THE LEFT, TRIED TO CONTROL THE CAR, BUT LOST CONTROL AND MOVED OUT FROM HWY
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2002
THE REAR DISC BRAKES CUT GROOVES INTO ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES. THE BRAKES WOBBLE AND PULSATE. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 30, 2002
WHILE DRIVING APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, AND ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 29, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, TRIED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND COAST TO A STOP. DEALER STATED THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 8, 2002
TWO DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAMRY, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK. AT FIRST, IT WAS A SLIGHT SOUND BUT GRADUALLY BECAME VERY LOUD TO THE POINT THAT IT IS SCARY TO DRIVE THE CAR. TODAY, EXACTLY ABOUT A MONTH SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE NOISE IS UNBAREABLE. IT IS EXTREMELY LOUD AND IT HAPPEN EVERYTIME I PRESS THE BREAK PEDAL,THE BRAKES WAS ALSO VERY HARD TO BRAKE. I HAVE TO PRESS REALLY HARD TO GET IT TO WORK. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOYOTA REGIONAL OFFICE. THEY DIDN'T HELP AT ALL BUT JUST BLAMING THE GOVERNMENT ON THE NEW BRAKE REGULATION. I AM VERY STRESSED OUT ABOUT THIS. PLEASE HELP.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 18, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2002
DEALER REPLACED REAR WHEEL DISC AND PADS BECAUSE VEHICLE WOULD SQUEAK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 12, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE'S A PULSATING FEELING IN VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE GOING TO RELEASE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 29, 2002
THE PROBLEM IS WITH BOTH FRRONT AND BACK BRAKES. CHRONOLOGY OF PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES: WHEN THE ODOMETER REACHED ABOUT 400 MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK INTERMITTENTLY. ON MAR. 28, 2002, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HERB CHAMBERS TOYOTA OF BOSTON SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY FOUND THE BRAKES SHOES WERE GLAZED UP AND DID THE REPAIR. ASSURED THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK, I DROVE HOME. TWO BLOCKS DOWN THE STREET, I COULD HEAR THE BRAKES SQUEAKING AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE PARTS WERE DELIVERED. AFTER THEY NOTIFIED ME OF THE DELIVERED PARTS, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON APRIL 4, 2002. ONE HOUR LATER, THEY TOLD ME THAT BOTH ROTORS WERE CRACKED! AGAIN, THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THEM THE NEXT DAY. MEANWHILE I HAD TO GET A RENTAL TO GO HOME, WHICH THEY PAID FOR. NEXT MORNING, I CALLED THEM TO CHECK ON THE STATUS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT COME IN FOR ANOTHER WEEK. SO THEY PLANNED TO TAKE ROTORS OFF FROM ANOTHER "BRAND NEW" CAMRY AND PUT THEM ON MINE. THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED AROUND NOON TIME. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR REASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE.AFTER DRIVING FOR A COUPLE WEEKS, I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEAKY BRAKES AGAIN. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE NOISE CAME FROM OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. AS THE SQUEAK GOT LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT, I KNEW THE NOISE WAS FROM MY NEW CAMRY. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT. ON MAY 8, 2002. WITHIN ONE HOUR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT, PENDING ADVICE FROM TOYOTA.. SHE DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD GET IT BUT SAID THAT SQUEAKY BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE.I DO NOT THINK THE DEALER IS TAKING THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING BADLY. SOME UNKNOWN REASON HAD CAUSED THE ROTORS TO CRACK BEFORE, CAN ANYONE GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN?*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 23, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ABS IS VERY SENSITIVE CAUSING IT TO BE FAULTY.*JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 13, 2002
WHILE STOPPING ON A HILL, BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP BRAKES FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT CARDBOARD WAS IN DISC BRAKES. MECHANIC STATED THAT ABS WERE SUPPOSE TO GO TO THE FLOOR. *AK CONSUMER STATES STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY, NO ACTION FROM WHEELS WITH SLIGHT MOVEMENT. *YD
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 3, 2002
BRAKE PADS ARE SQUEAKING, TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD AND THEY REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS.ROTORS WERE CRACKED. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS.L CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS SQUEAKING AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Apr 27, 2002
AT A CONSTANT CRUISING SPEED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY JERKS (PRESUMABLY SHIFTS) WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED SLIGHTLY. A CLUNKING NOISE CAN ALSO BE HEARD AT THIS TIME. THE ABS ACTUATOR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED EARLIER AS IT WAS PRODUCING A CLUNKING NOISE AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED SHARPLY AT LOW SPEEDS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 16, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THERE IS ANY BRAKING ACTION. BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SPONGY, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE.*AK