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, Apr 1, 2002
BRAKES SQUEAL WHILE CONSUMER IS APPLYING BRAKES.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 27, 2002
BRAKES WERE MUSHY STRAIGHT OFF OF THE NEW CAR LOT. TWO DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR I CAME UPON A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT TURNED RED WHILE I APPROACHED. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AND WENT RIGHT ON THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, NO CARS CROSSED THE INTERSECTION WHEN I WENT THROUGH IT. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER . THEIR SERVICE DEPT CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAD THEM BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THEN TOOK THE CAR HOME. AFTER THEY BLED THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL NOW VIBRATES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED, PLUS THE BRAKES ARE STILL MUSHY. SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 14, 2002
ARM THAT HOLDS UP BRAKE PEDAL IS INTERFERRING WITH THE DRIVERS FOOT. DRIVER STATED IF CONSUMER HAD A LARGE SIZE FOOT, IT COULD EASILY GET WEDGED AND STUCK ON BRAKE PEDAL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS FOOT GETS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE FLOORMAT AND THE BRAKE ARM, FEELS THIS NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 12, 2002
ABS LIGHT WOULD STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2002
WHEN STOPPED BRAKE PEDAL FADES TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSURE APPLIED. CAUSE UNKNOWN, CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR SAME PROBLEM, HAVE BEEN ADVISED VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. MECHANIC TEST DRIVE CLAIMS EMERGENCY STOP OKAY.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 24, 2002
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 17, 2002
FRONT ABS BRAKES LOCK ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 27, 2001
SPRING ASSEMBLY ATTACHED TO L SIDE OF BRAKE PEDAL ARM PROTRUDES FORWARD ABOVE RUBBER PEDAL AREA. IF A DRIVER WITH SIZE 11 SHOES PRESSES THE PEDAL SLIGHTLY LEFT-OF-CENTER, HIS TOES WILL HIT THE PROTRUSION, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FULLY DEPRESS THE PEDAL.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 7, 2001
STARTING THE FIRST WEEK IHAD THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE "NOT RIGHT" AND SEEMED TO MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT EVERY TWO DAYS UNTIL I FINALLY WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. THE DEALER CALIMS IT'S THE ABS BUT I'VE DRIVEN ABS VEHICLES FOR THE LAST 5 YRS WITHOUT EXPERIENCING THIS. THE SERVICE DEPT WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ONCE AND STILL CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG W/ THE CAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE WRITTEN A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA CORPORATE WHO CLAIMS THERTE HAS BEEN NO OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 24, 2001
AT ANY SPEED BRAKE PEDAL IS REALLY MUSHY, AND ONE TIME IT WENT TO THE FLOOR, VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON ITS OWN.*AK