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: tires
61 reports, newest first. Show all
Tires, Feb 3, 2003
TOYOTA REFUSES TO SATISFY CONSUMERS COMPLAINT ON FAULTY TIRES. THE TIRES THAT WERE PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE HAVE INADEQUATE TRACTION ON SNOW COVERED SURFACES. CONSUMER DOESN'T' FEEL ANY ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF REPLACING ALL FOUR TIRES FOR WINTER CONDITIONS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID FOR THESE REPLACEMENT TIRES. *JG
Tires, Dec 13, 2002
I PURCHASED A TOYOTA CAMRY 2002 SE IN DECEMBER OF 2001AND DISCOVERED AFTER DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK DURING A SNOW STORM 12/5/02 THAT THE CAR WAS EQUIPED WITHOUT ALL SEASON TIRES. I NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THAT DAY, AS DID OTHERS I AM SURE. HOWEVER, I DISCOVERED WHILE SPEAKING WITH THE TIRE MANUFACTURER(TOYO) THAT THE TIRES ARE CONSIDERED "SUMMER" TIRES AND ARE NOT MADE FOR SNOW AND/OR ICE. THEY STATED THE TYPE OF TIRE PLACED ON THE CAR IS DETERMINED BY THE CAR MANUFACTURER NOT TOYO. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AS I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE PURCHASING CAMRYS WITHOUT KNOWING THEY NEED TO PURCHASE SNOW TIRES OR ALL SEASON TIRES. THEY APPARENTLY ARE NOT AS CONCERNED AS I AS THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT DEBATE ON WHAT I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME OF THE SALE AND THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO FOR ME IS TO ORDER REPLACEMENT TIRES AT A DISCOUNT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER BACK TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD PAY 75% OF THE COST OF THE SAME TIRE (TOYO, J33, P21560R 16 94V), TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TIRES. THEY STATED I COULD REPLACE THE TIRES WITH ANY MAKE OF MY CHOICE. IT WAS THEIR PREFERENCE THAT I USE A LOCAL COMPANY THAT SELLS TOYO TIRES. I STOPPED TO ORDER REPLACEMENT TIRES AND FOUND AFTER INSPECTION, THE TIRES ARE BARE DOWN THE CENTER AND ARE WORN DOWN TO THE WEARBARS. SO NOT ONLY AM I DRIVING, WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE, A CAR THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY TYPE OF TREAD FOR SNOW/ICE I AM DRIVING WITH MINIMAL TREAD. I UNDERSTAND THE TIRES ARE HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES, HOWEVER I DO NOT FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE WORN IN THE MANNER THEY DID AFTER 14000 MILES. I HAVE SEVERAL CONCERNS, ONE BEING WITH TOYOTA AND THE FACT THAT THE DEALER OR DEALERS ARE NOT INFORMING THE BUYER OF THE NEED TO PURCHASE ALL SEASON OR SNOW TIRES AT THE TIME OF THE SALE. HOW MANY CONSUMERS OR INNOCENT VICTIMS WILL BE OR HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS SAME ISSUE. SECONDLY, THE TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR PROCUDING WHAT APPEARS TO ME DEFECTIVE TIRES.
Tires, Dec 6, 2002
ON HWY CAR PULLED LEFT. AFTER CANADIAN TRIP BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER WHO ROTATED TIRES & DID ALIGNMENT. CAR STILL PULLED LEFT. RETURNED TO DEALER WHO ROTATED LEFT FRON TIRE. CAR STILL PULLED LEFT. BROUGHT TO DEALER 3RD. TIME AND SHOP FOREMAN SAID IT WAS "TIRE KINETICISM". DEALER REMOVED TIRE FROM RIM, INVERTED TIRE, AND REMOUNTED AND BALANCED TIRE. DEALER TEST DROVE AND SAID NO MORE PULL. WHEN ASKED WHO WOULD PAY FOR FUTURE INVERTING OF TIRE DURING 5 WHEEL ROTATION DEALER COULD NOT ANSWER. SPOKE TO TOYOTA REGINAL SPERVISOR WHO TEST DROVE CAR AND SAID RIGHT REAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I REQUESTED MICHELIN TIRE UPGRADE AND WOULD SPLIT DIFFERENCE IN COST WITH TOYOTA. TOYOTA SAID ALIGNMENT AND INVERTING TIRE WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEVER RESPONDED TO QUERY RE: WHO PAYS COST OF RE- INVERTING ONE TIRE AND INVERTING ANOTHER TIRE DURING ROTATION. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY & FUTURE ROTATION COSTS WITH THESE BRIDGESTONES. WANT UPGRADED TIRE REPLACEMENT & THESE TIRES SENT BACK TO BRIDGESTONE FOR ANALYSIS. I ALSO WENT TO A BRIDGESTONE DEALER IN FRAMINGHAM AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF "KINTETICISM" AND TIRE INVERTING TO RESOLVE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. I SUSPECT A WEAK SIDEWALL CAUSING CAR TO PULL LEFT AND WORRY ABOUT SAFETY. REQUEST DOT TAKE PROMPT INVESTIGATIVE ACTION. SO FAR TOTAL OF 4 VISITS TO DEALER WHO HAS ACKNOWLEGED THE PROBLEM BUT DENIES IT IS A PROBLEM. IN OTHER WORDS LIVE WITH IT. DT
Tires, Oct 3, 2002
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SIDEWALL WAS TORN. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T REFUND THEM. THE TEAR IS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE SIZE OF THE TIRE IS 205/65R15 92T. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92. NLM
Tires, Sep 24, 2002
THE TIRES WERE ON THE TOYOTA WHEN PURCHASED. THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE FAILED AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE 101 NORTHBOUND FOR SUN CITY. THERE WERE SEVERAL LARGE HOLES IN THE SIDE WALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS COULD BE DUE TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE. HOWEVER, THE PRESSURE IN THE TIRES WERE CHECKED WITHIN THE SEVEN DAYS OF THE TIRE FAILURE---AT LEAST WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD BEEN CHECKED AS PART OF THE SERVICE WE PAID FOR. THE FULL TIRE SIZE NUMBER WAS P205/65/R15 92T---MORE NUMBERS THAN ALLOWED IN THE PREVIOUS BLANK. IF LOW AIR PRESSURE COULD CAUSE THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE ON A TIRE, THEN IT SEEMS TO ME THAT REGULATIONS SHOULD REQUIRE GREATER TOLERANCE IN TIRE PRESSURE. NLM
Tires, Aug 27, 2002
THERE IS A BUBBLE ON OUTSIDE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 10000 MILES, MOUNTED ON A TOYOTA CAMRY 2002.*AKTHE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRE. *JG
Tires, Jul 12, 2002, crash
THE CAMRY SE MODEL EQUIPPED WITH SPORT TIRES(BRIDGESTONE TURANZA IN THIS CASE) WILL NOT FUNCTION IN ANY LEVEL OF SNOWFALL. I HAVE HAD EASILY OVER 10 INCIDENTS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE...MORE INCIDENTS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET STARTED IN RIDICULOUSLY LIGHT SNOW CONDITIONS. I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR-ENDED A CAR WHILE DOING 10 MPH BECAUSE I COMPLETELY LOST ANY CAPABILITY OF STOPPING. I HAVE HAD 5 OTHER PEOPLE DRIVE THE CAR AND EVERY ONE OF THEM COULD NOT BELIEVE THE LACK OF TRACTION. MY INSURANCE AGENT OWNS A CAMRY LE WITH COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TIRES AND CLAIMS THE CAR IS EXCELLENT IN THE SNOW. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS...BULL!!! ...THE DEALER WHERE I TAKE THIS CAR FOR SERVICE SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN REGARD TO THIS SE SITUATION BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S A MANUFACTURER / TIRE ISSUE. THEY TELL YOU TO CALL TOYOTA ONLY TO HAVE CORPORATE TELL YOU TO GET LOST. I FEEL THAT YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS NOW!...THERE ARE MANY MANY SE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM .. IT IS DANGEROUS! SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED! ...I NOW HAVE 2 CHOICES ...SPEND 500.00 ON NEW TIRES SO MY FAMILY CAN BE SAFE OR TRADE THIS IN AND TAKE A HUGE MONETARY HIT. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT REQUIRED TO TEST THIS CAR WITH THESE TIRES IN SNOW CONDITIONS BEFORE PUTTING PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY? THEIR SERVICE PEOPLE ADMIT THAT THESE TIRES ARE TOO HARD AND THE CAR IS TOO LIGHT ....A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED TO HAVE TOYOTA REPLACE THESE TIRES NOW!*AK
Tires, Jun 25, 2002
THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE SPLIT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. (CONTINENTAL TIRE P205/65R15) *YH
Tires, Apr 10, 2002
VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH TIRES DIRECT FROM THE FACTORY, WHEN DRIVEN IN LESS THAN ONE INCH OF SNOW WAS VIRTUALLY UNDRIVEABLE. SPEED DID NOT MATTER - 5MPH OR 40MPH SAME AFFECT - OR LACK THERE OF. ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR SKID CONTROL, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL WERE ACTIVELY FLASHING AT ALL TIMES - DRIVING OR BRAKING. CAR SLIDE THRU THREE INTERSECTIONS, WHILE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR 1/2 BLOCK BEFORE INTERSECTION. CAR ALSO LACKED ACCELERATION, TAKING 20 SECONDS TO COMPLETE A TURN ACROSS A TWO LANE ROAD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED SAME DAY. THEY RAN SEVERAL TESTS PER TOYOTAS TECH LINE ON ABS/SKID/TRACTION SYSTEM...LATER CHANGED THE TIRES AND THE MOST NOTABLE DIFFERENCE WAS MADE. IT IS AMAZING THAT NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED.TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SWAP TIRES FOR CLIENTS THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE DRIVER, THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD AND ULTIMATELY THIS IS A TERRIBLE RISK FOR TOYOTA. PLEASE ENSURE TOYOTA AND OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE TRULY TESTING THE VEHICLES AND ALL FEATURES THEY SELL SO CUSTOMERS CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE THEY PURCHASE. AIRBAGS, TRACTION, AND ABS WILL ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF THEY WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OTHER FEATURES OF THE CAR. THIS CAMRYSE THAT IS AFFECTEDIS NOT THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED.. PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO ENSURE TOYOTA CORP. ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE IN A TIMELY MANNER.*AK (TIRESIZE: 215/60R16)
Tires, Mar 1, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT TIRE WAS LOSING AIR AND WAS DAMAGED PRIOR TO PURCHASE, THE DEALER ONLY REPAIRED IT AT CONSUMERS COST. *SLC
Tires, Feb 5, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH IN A 2002, TOYOTA CAMRY, THE LEFT REAR TOYO TIRE, SIZE: P215/60R16-94V, DOT: CXFI8L42401 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 3,100 MILES ON IT, AND WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE,. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED TIRE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS ALSO SIDEWALL FAILURE ADJACENT TO TREAD.*SLC