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
1,039 reports, newest first.
Power train, Jul 3, 2006
TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN DRIVING. CAUSES THE CAR TO HESITATE ABRUPTLY UPON ACCELERATION. THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. NO REMEDY HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE YET AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORSENING. *NM
Electrical system, Jun 28, 2006
THE CAR WOULD NOT START. JUMP STARTED IT. DROVE AROUND BUT JUST STALLED AFTER 2 MILES. AGAIN TRIED TO START BUT COULD NOT. BATTERY OK. CALLED TOW COMPANY AND PUT THE CAR BACK IN MY GARAGE. AGAIN JUMP STARTED IT TO PULL BACK INTO GARAGE. LET THE CAR REMAIN STARTED IN PARKING POSITION. ENGINE AGAIN DIED AFTER 5 MINUTES. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 TO 15 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOT UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 11, 2006
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY - EVERY YEAR I REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BREAK PADS. NOW I HAVE A BIGGER PROBLEM, MY CALIBERS FROZE, CAUSING THE(FRONT) BREAKS TO LOCK, AND NOW MY MASTER CYLINDER IS GONE - WE ARE TALKING A $700.00 REPAIR JOB, ON A CAR THAT IS 4 YEARS OLD, WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I JUST READ, HOW COME TOYOTA HASN'T DONE A RECALL?????????????????? WHY DO "WE" NEED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, AND PADS EVERY YEAR? *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2006
MY CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND MY SON WOULD CHECK THE CODE (PO420) THEN SEND ME TO THE DEALER. I TOOK THIS CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS DURING THIS TIME. THE FIRST TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CHANGED A SENSOR CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE NEXT TIME TO LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER IN MY AREA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A BAD SENSOR (SAME ONE THAT HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED) AFTER I TOLD THEM THAT SENSOR HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED THEY CAME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT SENSOR. I LEFT THIS DEALER AND SHORTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN AND I WENT BACK TO THE SECOND DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS, DURING WHICH TIME MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE FIRST SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM WAS ISSUED ON MAY 24, 2004 AND THE SECOND ON JULY 27, 2004. NOW THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT THESE SERVICE BULLETINS. I INTEND TO TAKE THIS ISSUE UP WITH TOYOTA AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BACK IN 2004. *NM
Electrical system, May 19, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM HOWEVER, DETERMINED THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITHIN TWO DAYS, THE SAME PROBLEM AROSE WITH THE NEW PANEL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THIRD CONTROL PANEL. ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THE THIRD CONTROL PANEL, THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THE SAME PROBLEMS WILL REOCCUR WITH THE NEW PANEL.*AK
Structure, May 9, 2006
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IN JUNE OF 2004, THE INSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE CRACKED WHEN I TRIED TO EXIT THE CAR. THE HANDLE IS MADE OF PLASTIC. TOYOTA REPLACED THE HANDLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON MAY 5, 2006, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER INSIDE, PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN AND YOU HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO EXIT OR HAVE SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR FOR YOU. I'M GRATEFUL I WASN'T EXITING FOR AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA. THE FIRST TIME YOU THINK IT IS A FLUKE BUT THE SECOND TIME MAKES YOU REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T WANT MY DOOR HANDLE BREAKING WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE TIME AND HAVE NEVER BROKEN A DOOR HANDLE. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY ASKED ME SUCH QUESTIONS AS WHETHER I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER AND IF I EVER OWNED ANY OTHER TOYOTAS. THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOT RELEVANT TO THE PROBLEM. *NM
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 4, 2006, crash
RESPONSE TO LETTER RECEIVED FROM CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR, FOR TOYOTA, ALLEGING THAT ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. *TS THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND ENDED UP INSIDE A TRAVEL AGENCY. *NM SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE AND A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 02/23/10
Structure, Apr 12, 2006
I OWN A 2002 CAMRY, THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. IN JULY 2005, THE INSIDE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AT THE POINT OF CONNECTION TO THE DOOR. I HAD HANDLE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. NOVEMBER 24, 2004, WE WERE DRIVING CAMRY, AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE PREVIOUS FRONT DOOR HANDLE. I QUESTIONED THE DEALER'S SERVICE COORDINATOR AS WHY, ANSWER "THEY GOT A BAD BATCH OF HANDLES, THEY ARE MADE IN USA AND THE JUST FALL OFF" TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED NOR CAN I FIND ANY INFORMATION ON FAILED HANDLES, BUT SEVERAL CUSTOMERS OF SAME DEALER AND CAR HAVE TOLD ME THEY ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FAULTY DOOR HANDLES, EACH HANDLE COSTS ABOUT $85 TO REPLACE. *NM
Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2006
ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE LEFT FRONT PARKING LIGHT BULB. SOCKET WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO INSTALL. LOCATION ADJACENT TO VERY SHARP SHEET METAL CAUSED SEVERAL CUTS. MY WIFE'S HANDS ARE SMALLER, SO SHE WAS ABLE TO REINSTALL THE SOCKET, BUT NOT WITHOUT ALSO BEING CUT. *NM
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 31, 2006, crash
3 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS, THE LAST ONE CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR. I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON-LINE THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IN A CROSSWALK OR PARKING LOT. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OR SELL IT TO ANOTHER WITH THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Mar 14, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS LURCHED FORWARD SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THIS HAPPENS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND WITH THE VEHICLE AT A STOP OR WHILE TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
Electrical system, Structure, Feb 17, 2006
ON 12/31/05, DURING A RAINSTORM, THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STARTED FLASHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT OUR HOME AND NOT RUNNING. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE HAZARD LIGHTS WAS BY REMOVING THE FUSE. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, WE FOUND THAT WE HAD NO TURN SIGNALS AS THE FUSE REMOVED ALSO CONTROLLED THEM, AND WE DISCOVERED THERE WAS ABOUT AN INCH OF WATER ON THE FLOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WE REPLACED THE FUSE, AND ALTHOUGH THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER CONSTANTLY FLASHING, WHEN A TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED BOTH LIGHTS GO ON CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD. AT OUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE (ON 1/17/06), I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST TOYOTA SERVICE AND DEALER (MODESTO TOYOTA, AND HOUR AND A HALF DRIVE FROM OUR HOME). AFTER CHECKING THE VEHICLE I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FIREWALL NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND THAT WATER DAMAGE HAD CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. FURTHERMORE, THEY (MODESTO TOYOTA) COULD NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE; WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. WE NEXT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, MERCED TOYOTA, ON 1/25/06. THE RESULTS WERE THE SAME, AND WE WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS PROBLEM (ALTHOUGH NO ONE EVER OFFERED TO GIVE US A COPY, OR EVEN ALLOW US TO READ IT). WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW ABOUT IT, BECAUSE WE WERE PAST THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE POSSIBILITY OF A WATER LEAK THAT CAN CAUSE MAJOR ELECTRICAL DAMAGE IS A HAZARD. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING OUR CAR, WITH OUR 5 YEAR OLD AND 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS IN THE BACK, WITH NO WORKING TURN SIGNALS FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED BY THE TSB (I BELIEVE IT IS #B001503, NHTSA# 1000348), YET THEY HAVE NOT MADE CONSUMERS AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD AND THE NEED TO HAVE THIS SEAM REPAIRED BEFORE IT LEAKS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 10, 2006
THE 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, PURCHASED USED FROM RAY BRANDT TOYOTA IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS PAST MONDAY. SHE BARELY MISSED A HEAD-ON COLLISION, BECAUSE SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I ADVISED HER TO BRING THE CAMRY IMMEDIATELY TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA?? S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SHE TURNED IT OVER TO THEM THAT SAME AFTERNOON. THE NEXT DAY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP. EVEN WITH THE PROBLEM OCCURRING AT THE SHOP, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE THAT DAY. YESTERDAY, SHEILA, A RAY BRANDT TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD SOLVED THIS TYPE OF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BEFORE. I ASKED IF THE DIAGNOSTIC COST WOULD RUN INTO THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. SHE SAID $300 WOULD MOST LIKELY BE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TIME TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. SHE ADDED THAT SHE WOULD BE CALLING ME WITH THE RESOLUTION TODAY. TODAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:45 PM I WENT IN PERSON TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER RAY BRANDT TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED MIKE. I ASKED HIM HAD RAY BRANDT TOYOTA SOLVED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. MIKE STATED THAT YES THEY HAD ALTHOUGH IT TOOK 2 WEEKS AND COST $850. MIKE TOLD ME TO BE PATIENT; GIVE RAY BRANDT TOYOTA TIME TO FIX IT. LATER THIS AFTERNOON SHEILA TOLD MY MOTHER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING RAY BRANDT TOYOTA??S SERVICE COULD DO TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS, OF COURSE A DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO WHAT SHE STATED TO ME YESTERDAY. MY MOTHER THEN AGAIN EXPRESSED HER CONCERN THAT THE CAR WAS A DEATH TRAP. SHEILA AGREED THAT THE CAR WAS, IN FACT, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SHE NEVERTHELESS TOLD MY MOTHER TO COME PICK THE CAR UP. DOING THAT TO MY MOTHER WAS DESPICABLE. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Feb 9, 2006, crash
CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS . THE LAST EVENT RESULTED IN SMASHING THROUGH A PLATE GLASS WINDOW OF A TRAVEL AGENCY, INJURING ONE EMPLOYEE. THE CAR ENDED UP TOTALLY IN THE AGENCY, HALTED BY AN INTERIOR WALL. THE POLICE REPORTED SKID MARKS ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE AGENCY, AS WELL AS WITHIN THE AGENCY AS I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE CAR. THERE IS ALSO EVIDENCE THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS ROTATING VERY RAPIDLY, SO MUCH SO THAT WHEN THE CAR STOPPED THE TIRE BURNED A HOLE IN THE CARPET. CARPET THREADS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TIRE. ON THE ONE HAND, THE MARKS ON THE CARPET AND SIDEWALK INDICATE THAT SKID MARKS WERE MADE BY ALL THREE WHEELS, WHILE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OBVIOUSLY WAS BURNING RUBBER. *JB UPDATED 03/01/06
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2006
WITH NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE 4 CYLINDER ENGINE IN MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. I AM A 78 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITH NO POWER. I JUST BARELY AVOIDED A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THIS HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES IN QUICK SUCCESSION BEFORE I COULD DRIVE IMMEDIATELY BACK TO MY HOME. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA OF METAIRIE 504-464-4500. TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD THE CAR FOR A DAY, DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, BUT CLAIM THEY CAN FIND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I DO NOT WANT TO DIE IN A FATAL ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN AND IF THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, I WILL GET RID OF THE CAR AND NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA. PLEASE HELP. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2006
DURING A 60,000 MILE CHECK-UP AT MY SERVICE STATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I NEEDED A NEW "FLEX PIPE ASSEMBLY" (MANIFOLD EXHAUST PIPE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMBINED). THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM ON MANY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE'S. THE PART ALONE COST ME $900 AND $100 IN LABOR TO INSTALL. TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT THIS PART IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. I APPROVED THE REPLACEMENT BY MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jan 4, 2006, crash
I HAD NEW CAR BATTERY INSTALLED BY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP LATE ON 12/2/05. THE CAR SEEMED TO SHIFT AND SOUND MARKEDLY DIFFERENTLY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT WITH THE NEW BATTERY. THREE DAYS LATER MY 4 CYLINDER, AUTOMATIC 2002 4D-S TOYOTA CAMRY WAS LEFT IN "D" WITH THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON REMAINED ENGAGED. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DID NOT DRIFT. I'D BEEN STOPPED FOR A WHILE AT A "T" INTERSECTION FOR A WHILE AND NOT MOVING; NOR WERE ANY OTHER VEHICLES MOVING. THIS PARTICULAR INTERSECTION IS CONTROLLED BY A LONG SIGNAL LIGHT. I WAS AIMED STRAIGHT AHEAD, BUT WAS THE THIRD CAR BACK FROM THE STOP LINE, SIGNALING TO TURN LEFT. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE ROARING, GETTING EVER LOUDER. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE RACED, SURGED ABRUPTLY CAUSED MY CAR TO ACCELERATE FORCEFULLY INTO THE STOPPED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS PUSHED INTO AN SUV IN FRONT OF IT. THE FORCE OF IMPACT CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME APPEARED TO HAVE A WHIPLASH INJURY. ALL TOLD, THERE WAS ABOUT $1500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND IT WAS ESTIMATED THE SMALLER AND OLDER CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUSTAINED ABOUT $2500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER INFORMED ME THEY "FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR." THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A SHOP FOR BODY REPAIRS. UPON THE RETURN OF MY CAMRY, IT STILL HAD A BIT OF A VIBRATORY AND AUDITORY DISTORTION THAT WAS ATYPICAL FOR THE 3 PREVIOUS YEARS. I ALSO REALIZED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BARELY WORKING. AT A RETURN VISIT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD MY BRAKES WERE ALMOST "COMPLETELY GONE" AND THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKES. HOWEVER, I AM CERTAIN THAT THE MARKED AND SUDDEN DECLINE IN MY BRAKE FUNCTION WAS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES ATTEMPTING TO HOLD MY CAR BACK AS THE ENGINE SURGED FORWARD. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 27, 2005
THIS CAR IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT: BOTH FRONT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE FRONT SEAT WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW TO USE THE EXTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. AS THEY ARE POWER WINDOWS, HAD THE POWER BEEN OUT- THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE BACK SEAT (WHICH HAD CHILD LOCKS ENGAGED SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE AT THAT TIME...). *NM
Air bags, Dec 20, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, MY 2002 CAMRY XLE HYDROPLANED ON THE INTERSTATE AND FIRST SMASHED HEAD-FIRST INTO A GUARDRAIL BEFORE BEING JOLTED BACK ON TO THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT WAS THEN HIT BROADSIDE BY AN ONCOMING CAR. SERIOUS DAMAGE WAS DONE TO BOTH THE FRONT END, SIDE AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE (FROM IMPACT). THE CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AS WELL AS FRONT AIRBAGS. NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. THE CAR THAT HIT MY CAR, A 1995 SUBURU, HAD DEPLOYED BOTH OF ITS FRONT SEAT AIR BAGS. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE AND WHY DID IT HAPPEN? *NM
Tires, Dec 15, 2005, crash
MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. IT HAS NO TRACTION, FISHTAILS, CAN BARELY MAKE IT UP HILLS, ETC. A MECHANIC (NOT AT TOYOTA) ALSO POINTED OUT THE TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY AND VERY QUICKLY (I HAVE PUT FEWER THAN 20,000 TOTAL MILES ON THIS CAR). LAST WEEK I WAS COMING AROUND A CORNER IN THE SNOW (AT ABOUT 10 MPH) HIT A SLIPPERY PATCH AND THE CAR SEIZED UP COMPLETELY. I SLID ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO ANOTHER CAR. NOW LOOKING AT THE NHTSA SITE, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE, AND THAT THE TIRES THAT COME WITH THE CAR FROM THE FACTORY ARE NOT MEANT FOR ALL WEATHER DRIVING. I AM OUTRAGED. LIKE OTHERS I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION AS A "SAFE" FAMILY CAR. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALER WHO BASICALLY SAID "TOO BAD. TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING WITH TIRES AT THIS TIME." HE DID ADMIT, HOWEVER, THAT THE TIRES ON THE CAR ARE CONSIDERED 'HIGH PERFORMANCE' AND ARE NOT MEANT TO BE USED IN THE SNOW. GREAT. I TOO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO BUY $500 WORTH OF NEW TIRES TOMORROW. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR SOME IF NOT ALL OF THIS. NOT LIKELY. IT IS ALSO NOT LIKELY THAT I WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA. PEOPLE NEED TO BE INFORMED OF THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT COULD EASILY BE LIFE-THREATENING.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 12, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT STATED DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALTHEY WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BIRD BATH. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS INCIDENT. *AK UPDATED 01/05/06. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 12, 2005
PROBLEMS WITH 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. AUGUST 2003 - DRIVING ALONG. HUSBAND BEGAN TO STOP SLOWLY TO PULL UP TO A LIGHT AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT BREAKING BUT CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE SO HUSBAND LET OFF BRAKE AND REAPPLIED THE BRAKE AND IT FINALLY STOPPED THE SURGING. 2. WHILE GETTING GAS WE WERE DRIVING AROUND IT TO FIND AN PUMP, WE WERE PRESSING THE BRAKE AND CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAINST THE BRAKE AS IT WAS APPLIED. LET OFF BRAKE AND REAPPLIED QUICKLY AND CAR STOPPED NORMALLY. JANUARY 2004 HUSBAND BEGAN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE AND AS HE STARTED TO BRAKE AGAIN THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND SO HE LET OFF THE BRAKE, REAPPLIED IT (ALL VERY QUICKLY) AND WAS ABLE TO PARK BARELY MISSING HITTING VEHICLE BESIDE HIM. MARCH 27, 2004, WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP STATING THE VEHICLE WAS SURGING WHILE DRIVING. OCTOBER 2004 ON A TRIP TO GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE- HUSBAND APPLIED THE BRAKES, CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE-REAPPLIED THE BRAKES- SURGING/ACCELERATION STOPPED. OCTOBER 3, 2005 TRIP TO NORTH CAROLINA ON 7 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CAR ENGINE STARTED RACING AND THE CAR HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKE HELD TIGHTLY. ON ONE OCCASION AS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP BEHIND A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN, ALMOST HIT THE BUS FROM BEHIND BECAUSE ACCELERATOR WENT TO FULL ACCELERATION AS WE APPLIED THE BRAKES. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT WAS REVVING AT FULL THROTTLE. HE HIT ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS WE WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND ACCELERATION WENT BACK TO IDLE SPEED. DECEMBER 5, 2005 WHILE IN WE WERE STOPPED IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC WAITING AT A LIGHT THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN STARTED RACING HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, AND AGAIN IT REVVED AT FULL THROTTLE WHILE HOLDING BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TIGHTLY'' OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED CARS IN FRONT OF US. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, RELEASED BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR- ENGINE SPEED WENT TO IDLE SPEED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 11, 2005, crash
I STARTED THE CAR, AND I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND STARTED IN REVERSE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP TO ABOUT 45 MPH IN REVERSE. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP EVEN AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE, AND IT THEN HIT TWO CARS. THAT IS WHEN IT STOPPED. I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO GO BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE, BUT IT JOLTED FORWARD AND SKIPPED TWO PARKING BUMPERS. AT THAT TIME, I HIT ANOTHER CAR. AT THAT POINT, I LEFT THE CAR ALONE SEEING AS THERE WAS SOMETHING CLEARLY WRONG. IN THE END, MY CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGED TO THE FRONT AND TO THE BACK TOTALING $10,111.60. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE TO THE THREE OTHER CARS, THE TOTALS OF DAMAGE OF WHICH I AM NOT AWARE OF ALTHOUGH THEY ARE CLAIMING MY INSURANCE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HAVING CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN CLAIMS AGAINST TOYOTA FOR PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WHERE THERE IS A SUDDEN, INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION. I SHOWED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALL THE RESEARCH I HAD GATHERED FROM THE INTERNET. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR'S COMPUTER, AND THEY CLAIMED THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE OR WITH THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THEY CLAIMED THAT AIR POCKETS BETWEEN THE ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. AS A RESULT, THEY FIXED THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR, BUT THEY MAINTAINED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, SPECIFICALLY THE THROTTLE, OF THE CAR. *NM
Air bags, Dec 6, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BROADSIDE ON THE PASSENGER'S DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT A BODY SHOP AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THE CONTACT WAS EXPECTING A RETURN PHONE CALL. *AK