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: vehicle speed control
295 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Tires, May 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR PARKING IN A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SIX DIFFERENT TIMES BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK SEE VOQ 10062883. *DSY ON ONE OCCASION WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT A POST (NO DAMAGE REPORTED). THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES AT 21000 MILES BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT MOVE WHILE ON ICE OR SNOW. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Apr 29, 2004
WHEN IDLING, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE PROBLEM OFTEN OCCURRED. *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 29, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. THE DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE IN MOTION WHEN THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN SLOWING FROM SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW BELOW 20-22 MPH WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. AS THE TACHOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO 1000 RPM'S, IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY MAKE A SLIGHT SURGE TO 1100-1200 RPM'S THEN SETTLE TO 1000 RPM'S AND WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 29, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THE DRIVER SUFFERED FROM POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME AND STILL EXPERIENCES DIZZINESS, PROBLEMS WITH BALANCE, TREMORS, HEADACHES, NECK AND BACK PAIN AND MEMORY LOSS. THE CONSUMER IS STILL UNDER THE CARE OF SEVERAL MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND CONTINUES TO UNDERGO TESTING. *NM SEE VOQ 10062561. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Apr 29, 2004, crash
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS. CONSUMER WAS PREPARING TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, LANDED ACROSS THE STREET AND COLLIDED WITH THE NEIGHBOR'S AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, ARM, AND KNEE BRUISES.*AK *JB UPDATED 07/01/10.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 28, 2004, crash
CONSUMER LEFT VEHICLE AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK,WITH MOTOR RUNNING. OPENED GARAGE DOOR, AND THEN REENTERED VEHICLE, SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD INTO GARAGE. HAD NOT PLACED FOOT ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN IT HAD HAPPENED. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. HAD SURGING PROBLEM REPAIRED IN MARCH, 2004. SUBMITTED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT 10062956, AND WAS INFORMED TO RESUBMIT COMPLAINT TO THE HOT LINE FROM NHTSA'S ENGINEER - S. YOUNG.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 25, 2004, crash
I BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT HAD STRUCK ANOTHER CAR, CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY REAR FENDER. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONE OTHER TIME ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. NO DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED AT THAT TIME. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2004, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED UNCONTROLLABLY, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. NO REPORT OF INJURIES. *AK *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2004, crash
WHILE WAITING AT A STOP SIGN CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO PRESS THE BRAKES AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD, EVENTUALLY COLLIDING WITH A SNOW BANK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND NO POLICE REPORT. DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT IT WAS CONSUMER'S FAULT.*AK *LA
Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND IT LANDED ON THE HOOD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT APPLYING THE BRAKES DIDN'T HELP STOP THE VEHICLE. *LA
Vehicle speed control, Apr 9, 2004, crash
WITNESSES SAW MY PARENTS VEHICLE (A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY) COMING TO A STOP AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATE.*AK UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, DROVE OVER THE PARKING CURB, STRUCK THE CONCRETE BARRIER WALL KNOCKING IT OUT. THE CONSUMER THEN DROVE OVER THE SIDE, FALLING 36 FEET AND LANDING ON ITS ROOF. UPDATED 09/23/10 UPDATED 8/21/2011*CW
Vehicle speed control, Apr 8, 2004, crash
WHEN TRYING TO PARK, THE DRIVER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE RAN OVER THE CURB AND HIT A SIGN. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT, FOUND A PARKING SPACE, THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OVER THE CURB. *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Apr 8, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE A/C DID NOT COOL PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION ALSO OCCURED WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, EVEN AFTER 443 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 7, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT TWO PARKED VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.*AK SEE 10080050. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE RACED AND SOUNDED LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATOR UP TO 5000 RPM'S AND WOULD NOT SETTLE DOWN. *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 6 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR SEE VOQ 10063541. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER CONTACTED A DEALER BY PHONE, AND TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *AK *LA
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2004, crash
WHEN DRIVING AT 12 MPH VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT FIVE PARKED VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT HEAD ON BEFORE STOPPING. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK SEE VOQ 10083277. *DSY
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 26, 2004
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND WHEN PRESSED. (NAR) *PH *CB UPDATED 7/5/12 *CN UPDATED 07/12/12. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 24, 2004, crash
WHILE MAKING A TURN FROM A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DESCENDED TO MORE THAN THE DRIVER HAD DEPRESSED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY HITTING A PALM TREE HEAD ON. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. ANN SAALBACH'S DAUGHTER CALERIE SAALBACH ISSUED THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2004, crash
ON THE DATE BELOW, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN MY BRAND NEW CAMRY WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SPED UP, SENDING THE CAR THROUGH A GUARD RAIL. MY CAR ENDED UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I HAVE A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD, AND HAVE NEVER EVEN HAD A TICKET. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR HAD THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM THAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT. I HAD CONTACTED TOYOTA WHEN THE ACCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED. THEY SENT SOMEONE OUT WHO CHECKED THE TIRES AND THE STEERING, AND A FEW MINOR THINGS. NO ONE TESTED ANYTHING TO DO WITH ACCELERATION. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AND I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO A TRAUMA CENTER, WHERE I WAS HOSPITALIZED. I AM NOW DRIVING A 2003 CAMRY, AND I FEEL LIKE I'M DRIVING A TIME BOMB, SINCE I READ THAT THE PROBLEM MAY EXIST IN BOTH THE 02 AND 03 MODELS. *AK SEE VOQ 10063318. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2004
I'M VERY CONCERN ABOUT MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA VIN#[XXX] SINCE I NOTICED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS 02/18/04 BEING THE MOST RECENT ONE OF SOMETHING THAT CAUSES SUDDEN ACCELERATION EVEN WHEN IT READS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON THE SPEEDOMETER. THANK YOU. RESPECTFULLY, [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle speed control, Mar 15, 2004, crash
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE - ENGINE SURGE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATON I HAVE BEEN OPERATING THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT. HOWEVER, IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE SURGE/RACING PROBLEM. THE FIRST EPISODE TOOK PLACE 2 MONTHS AGO AS I WAS IN REVERSE AND BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY; I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE SECOND INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AS I WAS BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT; THE VEHICLES AHEAD OF ME WERE SLOWING DOWN AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE BRAKES BUT DID LIGHTLY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE OR ANY INJURIES. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER THIS MORNING AND REPORTED THE INCIDENTS. THE DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE THE CAR AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . I DID HAVE PASSENGER IN CAR DURING THE MOST RECENT EPISODE WHO CAN ATTEST TO THE PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 13, 2004
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SURGES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. ABS KICKS IN. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW OVER LAST 3-5 WEEKS, LAST TIME JUST IN FRONT OF A SCHOOL CROSS WALK! TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER (12 MAR 04) AND WAS INFORMED NOTHING COULD BE DONE. SENT ME HOME WITH CAR DESPITE MORE THAN AN HOUR WITH DEALER AND VERY SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT CAR SAFETY.*AK