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, Mar 12, 2004
I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEM THE TOYOTA CAMRY HAS WITH SPEED SURGES. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM BUT IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE QUITE READILY. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE THE GAS PEDAL AND AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL. AFTER CATCHING MYSELF SEVERAL TIMES STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN I INTENDED TO STEP ON THE BRAKE I HAVE LEARNED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN SWITCING FROM ONE TO THE OTHER. IN THE CASES WHERE THE MISTAKE DID OCCUR I WAS QUICKLY AWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THERE WAS NO INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT INVOLVED. AM SUBMITTING THIS AS IT MAY BE WHAT HAS OCCURED IN SOME OF THE INSTANCES OF UNANTICIPATED DRIVE SURGE. I HAVE FILLED IN A DATE OF OCCURANCE BUT IT OCCURED A FEW TIMES AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATES. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2004, crash
DRIVER WAS SITTING AT A CAR WASH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD STRAIGHT THROUGH THE CAR WASH DOOR OPENING. NO ONE WAS INJURED. NO PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. THE DRIVER SAYS THE VEHICLE HIT A SNOW BANK.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2004
WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER'S FOOT WAS PLACED ON THE BRAKE AT THIS TIME OF THE INCIDENT. DRIVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE ,AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART, AND DRIVE IT TO THE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2004
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, ALTHOUGH NO INJURIES OR WRECKS HAVE STEMMED FROM ANY OF THIS INCIDENTS. ALSO WHEN I PUT THE CARE IN DRIVE FROM REVERSE SOMETIMES THE CAR SURGES FORWARD WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2004
SUDDEN ACCELARATION ON FREEWAY IN TOYOTA CAMRY LE. JUST AFTER I HAD BOUGHT THE TOYOTA I NOTICED THIS HAPPENING AND DID WRITE AN E-MAIL TO THE MAIN WEB SITE OF TOYOTA JUST TO KNOW IF THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY REFERRED ME TO THEIR DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I NEVER MENTIONED IT DURING SERVICE APPOINTMENT BECAUSE AFTER THE FIRST FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEM DID NOT SEEMS TO OCCUR TOO OFTEN. IT MAINLY HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. NEVER NOTICED IT A LOWER SPEEDS.
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, Vehicle speed control, Jan 13, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TOO BIG. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FOOT FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THEIR SHOE SOLE GOT CAUGHT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO APPLY THE GAS PEDAL INADVERTENTLY. *AK *MR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 6, 2004
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF VEHICLE ROLLED BACK INTO TRAFFIC. DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2003
WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD STILL BE ENGAGED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 1, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED PARALLEL TO THE CURB. WITH THE DRIVERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD, THROUGHOUT THE INTERSECTION, OVER A CURB INCREASING IN SPEED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SCC *JB
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
Vehicle speed control, Jul 24, 2003, crash
THE DRIVER SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED UP TO ABOUT 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE HIT A CAR AND A TREE BEFORE IT STOPPED . *AK *CB *NLM UPDATED 7/2/12 *CN
Service brakes, Air, Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2003, crash
THREE TIMES CONSUMER WENT TO TOYOTA TO TELL THEM THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME, (MAY 3,03) WAS BRAKING SLOWLY AND 2002 CAMRY JUMPED AHEAD, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE SECOND TIME(MAY 28,03) I CONSUMERWENT IN, TOLD THEM BRAKE PEDAL WENT SLOWLY DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHEN STOPPING FOR A LIGHT. 1993 CAMRY NEVER DID THAT. ALSO NO OHTER CAR I HAD DID THAT. THEY TESTED, SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE THIRD TIMEON JULY 3, CONSUMERTOLD THEM, DO NOT TELL ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH BRAKES, DID NOT WANT TO HEAR IT! HE DROVE THE CAR AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW ON JULY 11, 2003, WHILE PARKED AT MACY'S MALL AT CROSS COUNTY, I AM BACKING UP SLOWLY OUT OF MY SPACE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE JUMPED AHEAD FLYING AND HIT TWO PARKED CARS FACING HER. ALL THE VEHICLES HAD DAMAGE. CONSUMER WILL NEVER DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN, COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2003, crash
VEHICLE'S NEW BRAKING SYSTEM WAS UNSAFE. BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE IT ENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE BRAKING. *AK THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND AS SHE TURNED THE CORNER, THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER THE CURB, ONTO THE SIDE WALK, AND INTO THE LIBRARY. (ONE MUST PLACE THERE FOOT ON THE CENTER OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FOOT COULD POSSIBLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR) *SCC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 18, 2003, crash
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO A TREE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 18, 2003, crash
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SE: WHILE CAR WAS BEING BACKED DOWN A DRIVEWAY AT 2-3 MPH WITH DRIVER'S FOOT ON BRAKE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY BACKWARD FOR ABOUT 66 FEET AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CAR THEN SOMEHOW SURGED FORWARD FOR ABOUT 132 FEET. CAR WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 7/2/12 *CN UPDATED 07/17/12
Vehicle speed control, Apr 18, 2003, crash
CONSUMER BACKED VEHICLE INTO POLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO EXTENDED ACCELERATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. UPDATED 7/2/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERESE, SHE HIT A POLE WITH HER REAR BUMPER, SHE THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVER, AND THE ACCELERATOR JAMMED INTO THE ON POSITION, AND THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR OUT OF CONTROL. UPDATED 08/06/12
Vehicle speed control, Apr 17, 2003
THE THROTTLE STUCK IN THE IDLE POSITION UPON ACCELERATION . THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Vehicle speed control, Mar 27, 2003
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THIS VEHICLE AND A NEWLY PURCHASED 2003 CAMRY. *JB SCC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL FORWARD. THE CONSUMER CUT OFF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. *TC
Vehicle speed control, Mar 24, 2003
THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SCC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2003
THE THROTTLE STICKS NEVER HAD IT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS YET. LIKE WHEN YOU PULL UP TO A LIGHT TO STOP IT STICKS BUT IF YOU HOLD ON TO THE BRAKE IT GOES DOWN TO NOMAL. SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. THE LAST TIME AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVE. HARD TO LAY YOUR HANDS ON TO WHAT TO DO. *NLM