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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, May 19, 2005, crash
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AFTER HIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *MR ALL COMPUTER PULSES WERE TESTED AND NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STEERED TO AVOID THE PARKED VEHICLES AND CRASHED INTO A CHURCH. *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 5, 2005, crash
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED THROUGH THE CAR WASH WHILE IDLING THE ATTENDANT MOTIONED THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE CAR WASH. CONSUMER SHIFTED VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED AND HIT A TREE BEFORE STOPPING. CONSUMER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE BODY, BUT THEY DECLINED TRANSPORTATION TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 3, 2005, crash
I WAS TURINING INTO THE PARKING AREA AT MY COMPLEX I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I NORMALL WOULD TO TURN INTO MY PARKING SPACE. AS I STARTED TO BRAKE, THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I MADE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF BOTH PEDALS TO BE SURE I WAS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, WHICH DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN, I ABORTED THE TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND STRAIGHTENED OUT THE VEHICLE TO AVOID HITTING OTHER PARK CARS AND TO GIVE MORE TIME AND DISTANCE TO SAFELY BRAKE. THE VEHCILE WOULD NOT SLOW, AND KEPT ACCELERATING, CAUSING IT TO GO UP AND OVER THE CONCRETE CURB/SIDEWALK, AND RIGHT INTO A SET OF STAIRS AT THE COMPLEX. NO ONE WAS INJURED, MYSELF INCLUDED, BUT THE STAIRCASE, NEEDLESS TO SAY, IS DEMOLISHED, AS IS THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAMRY. VEHICLE IS AT BODY SHOP AS OF NOW, NO ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN DONE. I DID, HOWEVER, EARLIER THIS EVENING SIMPLY LOG ONTO GOOGLE WHERE I TYPED IN "TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELERATOR STICKING" AND CAME UP WITH THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://SUBSCRIPT.BNA.COM/SAMPLES/PLD.NSF/0/33A2947408D24D5185256E5300035CAC?OPENDOCUMENT. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2005, crash
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WHILE THE DRIVER WAS SITTING INSIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 28, 2005
WHEN BRAKING INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED 8 TIMES WITHIN TWO MONTHS. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THIS PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. *BF
Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2005
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. OWNER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES , THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE OWNER HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jan 21, 2005, crash
THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN ON THE CAR WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, FROM A PARKED POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO GO COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL STRIKING SEVERAL OBJECTS COMING TO REST IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jan 17, 2005, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PET STORE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A RETAINING WALL IN FRONT OF THE STORE. THERE WERE PREVIOUS INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE IN THE HOUR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED. *JB
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2004, crash
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION . THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *NM THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A STOP SIGN. *SC THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 13, 2004, crash
VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A SURGE IN ACCELERATION. CAR CRASHED INTO A TREE AT THE FRONT PARKING SPACE *BF ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONSUMER WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE AT THE FRONT OF THE SPACE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURED AFTER THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO HIGH RPM'S WHILE THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. *TC
Vehicle speed control, Dec 3, 2004
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. DRIVER HAD TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK UPDATED 03/29/10.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2004, crash
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE SHE SUDDENLY FOUND HERSELF AND CHILD IN THE STORE. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE STORE FRONT. THE CONSUMER WAS SURE THAT SHE DID NOT PUT HER FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WENT ON LINE AND FOUND THAT DOT WAS INVESTIGATING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. *AK *SC
Vehicle speed control, Nov 26, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT HIT A LADY, WHO SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN FIVE DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 12, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED FORWARD UNTIL IT HIT A BUILDING. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM THE SHERIFF STATED BY THE POSITION OF THE WHEELS HE KNEW THE BRAKES FAILED. *TC BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA ABOUT THE BRAKE GOING TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS APPLIED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS SURE THAT THE HIGH ACCELERATION THAT OCCURRED WITH HER VEHICLE WAS THE RESULT OF THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE KNOCKED DOWN A 4 FOOT METAL PARKING LIGHT, PROCEEDED AND HIT ONE WALL, RAN OVER NUMEROUS SHRUBBERY, A TREE AND HIT THE ENTRANCE OF A BRICK WALL AT A BANK. UPDATED 04/19/10
Vehicle speed control, Nov 3, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY DURING BRAKING, THE VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE. THIS CONDITION OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB *SC
Vehicle speed control, Oct 19, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THEN, VEHICLE HIT TWO VEHICLES IN PARKING LOT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED. *AK SEE 10066756. *DSY *TC UPDATED 7/5/12 *CN
Vehicle speed control, Oct 6, 2004, crash
THE ACCELERATOR ON THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK. THE PEDAL LEFT THE FOOT AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE CONSUMER THEN TRIED TO THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK LEAVING FOOT WHEN LIGHTLY PRESSED GOING TO THE FLOOR AS DRIVER APPROACHED BUSY INTERSECTION NEITHER BRAKE NOR GEARSHIFT WOULD RESPOND. *JB *SC
Vehicle speed control, Oct 4, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION TWICE. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 23, 2004
ON SATURDAY, JULY 7, 2004, I DROVE THE 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN BOWIE, MARYLAND HEADING SOUTH ON ROUTE 197, LAUREL-BOWIE ROAD. WHILE GOING UP A HILL, AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IMMEDIATELY, I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AS IT SWERVED FIRST TO THE LEFT. HOWEVER, A CAR WAS TO MY LEFT, AND TO AVOID HITTING IT, I STEERED THE CAR RIGHT, TOWARDS THE CURB. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT HIT THE CAR. AS I STEERED TOWARDS THE RIGHT, THE CAR SPED AHEAD OF ME, AND I TRIED STEERING BACK TOWARDS THE LEFT TO AVOID THE CURB. TO CREATE FRICTION TO STOP THE CAR, I MADE A BIG ARC AND CROSSED FOUR LANES TO THE LEFT, WITH THE CAR FINALLY FACING NORTHBOUND. AFTER MAKING SURE NO CARS WERE COMING IN EITHER DIRECTION OF THE ROAD, I MADE A U-TURN AND HEADED STRAIGHT TO MY HOUSE (~2 MILES AWAY). *JB
Vehicle speed control, Sep 14, 2004
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CAME WITHIN 6 INCHES OF A STOREFRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED BY A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. THE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Aug 31, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY PARKED AND THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER PARKING BUMP AND HIT A POST. THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Aug 31, 2004
WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE REVVED, FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, BUT IT FAILED TO DO SO. VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. *AK *NM
Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2004
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH APLPLICATION OF BRAKES AND CAR ACCELERATING FORWARD. INCIDENTS ON 7/9/04 & 8/13/04.INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BEFORE TO NHTSA ON 4/23/04 REFERENCE#10071432.TOOK CAR TO DEALER TOYOTA REP AND SERVICEMAN COUND NOT FIND PROBLEM. HAS OFFERED O TAKE CAR IN FOR 1 WEEK AND HAVE TECHS DRIVE.THIS IS 5 INCIDENT ASKED TOYOTA TO SWAP CAR FOR OR TRADE FOR OTHER CAR WAS INFORMED MY CAR HAD PROBLEM AND WAS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME.THIS CAR HAS PROBLEM WITH ETS AND IT IS TIME FOR TOYOTA TO DO SOMETHING.IAM NOT IN THIS FOR GAIN JUST WANT THE PROBLEM SOLVED OR CAR SWAPPED FOR EQIVALENT.I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL MEANS FOR A RESOLUTION AND FEEL I NEED ARBITRACTION FROM TOYOTA.HEARING THAT THIS CAR HAS NO PROBLEM IS OLD AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Aug 12, 2004
WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ROARING NOSE AND SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, THAT VEHICLE IN TURN STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT. POLICE ARRIVED, BUT NO REPORT WAS MADE DUE TO NO INJURIES. *AK *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jul 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND LUNGED FORWARD INTO AN INTERSECTION. *AK *NM