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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 25, 2004
FRONT ROTORS ARE OUT OF ROUND. DEALER CUT THEM. THEY DEVELOPED THE SAME PROBLEM 4,000 MILES LATER. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IF I HAD THEM CUT AGAIN IT WOULD COST ME MONEY. I HAD THEM CUT BY MY MECHANIC WHICH HAPPENS TO BE MY COUSIN AT NO CHARGE. I WAS TOLD BY OTHER CAMRY OWNERS THAT THEIR ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY TOYOTA. I HAVE 44,000 MILES ON MY 2002 CAMRY V6. THE ROTORS ARE OUT OF ROUND AGAIN AND TOYOTA HAS NOT RELEASED AFTER MARKET ROTORS FOR THAT CAR. I AM UN-HAPPY WITH THIS WHOLE SITUATION. *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 21, 2004
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. *MR THIS INCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO A GARAGE, AND HIT THREE OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM RECURRED ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS. CURRENTLY THE GEARSHIFT BEGUN TO GIVE THE CONSUMER PROBLEMS. *SC
Vehicle speed control, May 20, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHILE PARKING INTO A SPACE AT A SCHOOL VEHICLE SURGED AND LUNGED FORWARD WHILE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 20, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Power train, May 20, 2004, crash
WHILE SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE CONSUMER TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL HITTING A WALL. *AK MECHANIC TESTED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT GEAR SELECTOR ON TRANSMISSION MOVED BY ITSELF FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. *LA
Vehicle speed control, May 19, 2004
WHEN VEHICLE IS ENGAGED IN REVERSE IT ACCELERATES. *AK
Vehicle speed control, May 18, 2004
WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SLAM THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB UPDATED 7/5/12 *CN THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/13/12
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 18, 2004
DEALER RESURFACED THE FRONTS ROTORS AND REPLACED THE PADS. AT 21,000 MILES THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND THE PADS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. AT 23,000 MILES THE FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME AND AT 42,000 MILES THEY REPLACED STRUT MOUNTING. AT 43,000 FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. *JB
Seats, May 18, 2004, crash
WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, WE STRUCK IN THE REAR OF OUR 2002 TOYOTA.CAMRY. SEAT BELT DIDNOT HOLD ME BECAME LOOSE. SEAT BACK COLLAPESED AND THE SEAT( ELECTRIC) WHENT BACK ABOUT 8 INCHES I COULN'T REACH THE PEDALS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, May 18, 2004
02/23/04, DEALER'S INVOICE TOCS12154: 04/19/04, DEALER'S INVOICE TOCS14794. THE CD AND TAPE PLAYER WENT BAD BEFORE THE CAR WAS TWO YEARS OLD. I DID NOT DISCOVER THIS UNTIL THERE WAS 37,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 35,000 MILES. THE CD/TAPE PLAYER PART OF THE RADIO WAS NOT EVEN USED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, SO I WAS NOT AWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $250.00 FOR A "USED" RADIO THEY ORDERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER (A NEW RADIO WAS GOING TO COST $850.00). THEY WERE KIND ENOUGH TO NOT CHARGE ME FOR THE INSTALLATION. SINCE TOYOTA DOES NOT MAKE THE RADIOS INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLES, TOYOTA WOULD NOT HELP ME WITH MY PROBLEM. 03-08-04, DEALER'S INVOICE TOCS12900:I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM THAT CONCERNS ME MORE THAN THE RADIO MALFUNCTION. THERE IS A VIABRATION WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO STOP THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THIS CHECKED. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS BE TURNED (FOR $170.00) AND THAT THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS BE RESURFACED (FOR $127.50) BY THE TIME THE DEALER CHECKED THIS FOR ME, THE CAR HAD 38,363 MILES. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 35,000 MILES! NEITHER THE DEALER NOR TOYOTA WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE BRAKES. THEY CONSIDERED IT TO BE "NORMAL" WEAR AN TEAR. I HAVE NEVER HAD A RADIO GO BAD IN ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. MY SUBARU IMPREZZA IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD! THE IMPREZZE STILL HAD ITS ORIGINAL BRAKES!*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 14, 2004, crash
MY WIFE WAS SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP WHEN"THE BRAKES DID NOT STICK AND THE CAR LURCHED FOREWARD' STRIKING A STOPPED VEHICLE.SHE TOLD THE POLICE SHE WAS ONLY GOING 5-10MPH AT MOST, BUT THE OTHER VEHICLE SUFFERED OVER $500.00 IN DAMAGES.THIS WAS IN GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS WHERE SHE TRAVELS DAILY. PRIOR TO THIS I HAD TOLD THE DEALER THAT THE BRAKES FELT MUSHY AND RARELY GAVE CONFIDENCE. THE SERVICE RECORDS STATE THE FOLLOWING:COMPLAINT-BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS A LONG WAY TO STOP. REPLY-BRAKES FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. NORMAL TRAVEL FOR THIS TYPE OF BRAKE SYSTEM. [3000 MILES LATER] COMPLAINT-BRAKE PEDAL FEELS LIKE IT LOSES PRESSURE WHEN STOPPING. WORRIED CAR WILL NOT STOP AT TIMES. REPLY-IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT REAR DRUM BRAKE. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS MORE WRONG THAN AN OUT OF ADJUSTMENT REAR BRAKE. EITHER THE BRAKE SYSTEM OR A COMBINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND ACCELERATION SYSTEM ARE FAULTY IN THIS VEHICLE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, May 14, 2004, crash
MAKIA CAFUA, DRIVING HER 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WAS ENTERING I-93 AT EXIT 39 AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING WHEN HER CAR SUDDENLY SHOT ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAVEL AND WAS HIT, BROAD SIDE, BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE HIGH SPEED (3RD) LANE. TRAFFIC AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS LIGHT. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE CAMRY EXPERIENCED AN UN-COMMANDED ACCELERATION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL RESULTING IN THE ACCIDENT AND HER DEATH. THE CAMRY HAS BEEN STORED SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO ITS POST ACCIDENT CONDITION. VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INPECTION/TESTING BY NHTSA. *AK UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF UPDATED 06/25/10 UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW
Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2004, crash
VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN IN REVERSE, AS A RESULT, VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND MAILBOX. *AK SEE VOQ 10073604. *DSY UPDATED 7/5/12 *CN THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/23/12
Steering, Vehicle speed control, May 11, 2004
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO FELT LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BUT FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *MR AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TOWARDS THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE REMAINS STATIONARY AND THE BRAKES ALWAYS STOP THE CAR. DSY THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *NM
Steering, Suspension, May 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, AND PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *LA
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
Power train, May 6, 2004
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND WHILE IN SLOW TRAFFIC THE CAR HAS SURGED FORWARD. ALSO WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AT A LIGHT YOU CAN FEEL IT SURGE FORWARD.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 5, 2004
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN DURING NORMAL USE. COULD TRAP SOMEONE IN CAR DURING AN EMERGENCY. DEALER WOULD ONLY REPLACE AT FULL COST. CAR IS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY.*AK
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
Visibility, Apr 27, 2004
TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT TOUCH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOR REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T SEE A LEAK. *PH WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE RIGHT REAR DOOR HANDLE. THERE HAD BEEN FOUR UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE SUNROOF LEAK. HAVING TO WAIT FOR THE FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST TO REPAIR THE LEAK, MOLD AND MILDEW HAD DEVELOPED IN THE ROOF AREA, DOOR HANDLE AND THE RIGHT BACK SEAT CUSHION. VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. *PH
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