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.
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
Structure, Sep 28, 2004
CONSUMER STATED DURING HEAVY RAINS WATER LEAKED ONTO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. *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
Air bags, Sep 17, 2004, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SLID INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL AND BACK INJURIES.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 16, 2004, crash
AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGED AND THE TIRES ROTATED, THE CONSUMER DROVE HOME, MAKING SEVERAL STOPS. WHEN DRIVING IN TO THE GARAGE, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONSUMERS HOME. *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
Air bags, Sep 13, 2004, crash
CONSUMER HAD A COLLISION WITH A POLE WHILE PARKING AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE PARKING CONSUMER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SOME TRAUMA TO HER HEARING WHEN SHE HIT THE POLE IN FRONT OF HER. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS MODEL OF TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON AIR BAGS, BUT SHE HAD NOT YET RECEIVED ONE.*AK
Structure, Sep 2, 2004
SPOTS ON CAR PAINT OBVIOUSLY CAUSE BY POOR PAINT JOB REPORTED TO DEALER. (RICE TOYOTA, GREENSBORO,NC) DEALERS' REPRESENTATIVE JIM POPE SAYS CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. INSUANCE COMPANY SAYS IT'S CAUSED BY POOR PAINT JOB. TEND TO AGREE WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. CAR STILL ON WARRENTY. *AK
Air bags, Sep 1, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN STERNUM. *AK
Power train, Aug 31, 2004
(1) I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SE V6 WITH 30500 MILES. THE MORNING OF JULY 26, 2004, WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO LESS THAN 5 MPH TO DRIVE HEAD-FIRST INTO A PARKING SPOT AT WORK, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AND IMPACTED SQUARELY THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT. AFTER THE CAR HAD COME TO A REST AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT WITH THE WALL, I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT MY RIGHT FOOT WAS STILL PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO 'PARK', I NOTICED THAT IT WAS ALREADY IN THE 'NEUTRAL' POSITION. I WAS FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT I DID NOT ACCIDENTALLY STEP ONTO THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE SURGE, SINCE TO DO SO WOULD REQUIRE ME TO REPOSITION MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE CONCRETE WALL COMING UP TO ME. (2) THE IMPACT CAUSED DAMAGE ACROSS THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. NO BROKEN LIGHTS; THE HOOD WAS VERY SLIGHTLY RAISED. I ESTIMATE THE CAR SURGED 3 TO 4 FEET BEFORE IMPACTING THE WALL AT MAYBE 10 MPH. (3) I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN AND SHOP FOREMAN KEPT IT FOR A DAY, TEST DROVE IT BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO FOUND NO CODES WITH THE SCAN TOOL INSPECTION. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I REPORT THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER.*AK
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
Tires, Aug 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. TIRE DEALER INSPECTED THE TIRES AND DEFECTS WERE FOUND ON ALL THE REMAINING TIRE, ALL WERE REPLACED.. THE LEFT FRONT FENDER WAS DAMAGED. MANUFACTURER STATED, SEND THE TIRE, WHICH WAS DONE. AFTERWARDS, A REJECTION LETTER WAS RECEIVED.*AK
Steering, Suspension, Tires, Aug 18, 2004
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LEV6 W/15" RIMS. CAR IS UNSTABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS. WE ARE NOW ON OUR THIRD SET OF TIRES AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 21,000 MILES ON IT. FIRST SET (CONTINENTAL) BECAME BALD ON OUTSIDE EDGE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES AT 9000 MILES. TIRES WERE ROTATED (FRONT TO REAR, REAR TO FRONT) AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS DONE. TIRES BECAME BALD ON OUTSIDE EDGE AFTER ONLY 8000 MILES (17000 TOTAL MILES ON CAR). DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH DUNLOP AND I HAD TO PAY FOR A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AFTER 2500 MORE MILES CAR AGAIN BECAME UNSTABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 75 MPH AND AS THE TIRES WORE IT BECAME UNSTABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS 55-65 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AGAIN WITH MICHELIN THIS TIME AND DID ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT. NOW WITH ONLY 1200 MILES ON THE NEW TIRES IT IS AGAIN BECOMING UNSTABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS 65-75 MPH. WE WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. *JB
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
Seats, Aug 12, 2004
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT JIGGLES AND MOVES 1 TO 1 1/2 INCHES FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. THEN, GOES BACK INTO PLACE WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS. CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT THE SEAT MAY COME DETACHED FROM ITS LINKAGE. DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND INDICATED THAT IT WAS FINE, AND THE SEAT WAS SUPPOSE TO DO THIS. *AK NEW RAILS WERE INSTALLED BY THE DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 10, 2004
WHEN ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED CONSUMER CAN FEEL IT, THEN IT WILL DISENGAGE, AND THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WERE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK
Power train, Aug 9, 2004
WHEN TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN YOU LET OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS OR HESITATES WITH A NOTICIBLE CLUNK. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.*AK
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
Air bags, Jul 25, 2004, crash
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN HIS 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, LE V6, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS SIDE WAS TOTALED. NONE OF HIS AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND HE HAS SUFFERED A CRITICAL SPINAL INJURY. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL, SHOWING THE PLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS, ALL AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONTACT TOYOTA'S HEADQUARTERS AND OF COURSE, NO ONE WANTS TO TALK TO YOU OR GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION. WE BUY TOYOTA VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THEIR SAFTEY AND RELIABILITY, SHAME ON US. *AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 2004, crash
THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT, WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, STRUCK 5 VEHICLES HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS WITH THE AIR BAGS OR VEHICLE ACCELERATOR. TOYOTA HAS ACCEPTED A CLAIM IN WILL REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR ALL DAMAGES; HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER SHOWS CONCERN THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. *LA SEE VOQ 10065132. *DSY
Structure, Jul 19, 2004
PIECE OF STYROFOAM USED AS SOUND DEADENER IN PASSENGER DOOR CAME LOOSE JAMMING WINDOW AND PREVENTING WINDOW FROM CLOSING, WHEN DOOR OPENED THE PIECE OF FOAM POPPED DOOR PANEL PREVENTING DOOR FROM CLOSING. *JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 16, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO CHEST WHEN COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CUT ON FOREHEAD AND BRUISES ON KNEES WHEN COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE DASHBOARD. *AK *SC *JB