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, Apr 21, 2004
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, THE CAR CONTINUES TO LUNGE FORWARD. I ALMOST HIT A SCHOOL BUS THIS MORNING.*AK
Structure, Apr 20, 2004
CONSUMER DISTURBED HE HAS A TOYOTA CAMRY THAT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BY WESTCHESTER TOYOTA. *PH THE VEHICLE SUNROOF AND RIGHT REAR DOOR HANDLE LEAKED BUT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE THE LEAK. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE VEHICLE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TOXIC MOLD GROWING IN THE VEHICLE. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2004, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED UNCONTROLLABLY, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. NO REPORT OF INJURIES. *AK *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2004, crash
WHILE WAITING AT A STOP SIGN CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO PRESS THE BRAKES AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD, EVENTUALLY COLLIDING WITH A SNOW BANK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND NO POLICE REPORT. DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT IT WAS CONSUMER'S FAULT.*AK *LA
Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND IT LANDED ON THE HOOD OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT APPLYING THE BRAKES DIDN'T HELP STOP THE VEHICLE. *LA
Suspension, Apr 15, 2004
SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 3/30/02 IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME ALIGNMENT PROBLEM THAT I FEEL HAS IS NOW AND HAS ALWAY BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. I NO LONGER DRIVE MY VEHILCE DUE TO THE SAFETY FACTOR.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 9, 2004, crash
WITNESSES SAW MY PARENTS VEHICLE (A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY) COMING TO A STOP AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATE.*AK UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, DROVE OVER THE PARKING CURB, STRUCK THE CONCRETE BARRIER WALL KNOCKING IT OUT. THE CONSUMER THEN DROVE OVER THE SIDE, FALLING 36 FEET AND LANDING ON ITS ROOF. UPDATED 09/23/10 UPDATED 8/21/2011*CW
Vehicle speed control, Apr 8, 2004, crash
WHEN TRYING TO PARK, THE DRIVER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE RAN OVER THE CURB AND HIT A SIGN. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS SLOWLY DRIVING IN THE PARKING LOT, FOUND A PARKING SPACE, THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OVER THE CURB. *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Apr 8, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE A/C DID NOT COOL PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION ALSO OCCURED WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, EVEN AFTER 443 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2004
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE' TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE EMITTED GRAY SMOKE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED CORRODED SPARK PLUG WIRES, AND GAVE THE VEHICLE A TUNE UP. ALSO THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SMOKE CAME FROM A DEFECTIVE VALVE SEAL OR RINGS . *AK IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT THE PROBLEM IT WAS THE ENGINE WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 7, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT TWO PARKED VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED.*AK SEE 10080050. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
Power train, Apr 1, 2004, crash
ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN DRIVE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. ON ONE OCCASION VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE AND IT SURGED FORWARD AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE RACED AND SOUNDED LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATOR UP TO 5000 RPM'S AND WOULD NOT SETTLE DOWN. *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 6 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR SEE VOQ 10063541. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER CONTACTED A DEALER BY PHONE, AND TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *AK *LA
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2004, crash
WHEN DRIVING AT 12 MPH VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT FIVE PARKED VEHICLES IN THE PARKING LOT HEAD ON BEFORE STOPPING. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK SEE VOQ 10083277. *DSY
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2004, crash
MY VEHICLE, A VINTAGE 1965 PONTIAC CATALINA HARDTOP COUPE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY FRIEND'S RESIDENCE AT 1271 N.E. 207TH STREET WHEN AT AROUND 4:50 P.M. IT WAS STRUCK BY A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SEDAN DRIVEN BY A MRS. UNA ELIZABETH TUCKER OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FL. THE TOYOTAS WAS ON THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY. ACCORDING TO HER, SHE WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY WHEN SHE CLAIMS HER CAR STARTED SMOKING AND SUDDENLY BOLTED. HER VEHICLE SMASHED ONTO MY CAR WITH SUCH FORCE.. THAT IT MOVED IT AND PUSHED IT AGAINST A VAN THAT WAS PARKED NEXT TO IT. MY CAR'S FRONT FENDERS WHERE SMASHED, MAKING THE FRONT WHEELS IMMOBILE. THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER BENT UNDER, LEFT FRON HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SMASHED, UNABLE TO OPEN HOOD, POSSIBLE FRONT SUSPENSION DAMAGE, UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO ENGINE. HSMV CRASH REPORT NUMBER 4464507 MIAMI DADE COUNTY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 26, 2004
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND WHEN PRESSED. (NAR) *PH *CB UPDATED 7/5/12 *CN UPDATED 07/12/12. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 24, 2004, crash
WHILE MAKING A TURN FROM A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DESCENDED TO MORE THAN THE DRIVER HAD DEPRESSED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY HITTING A PALM TREE HEAD ON. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. ANN SAALBACH'S DAUGHTER CALERIE SAALBACH ISSUED THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Mar 23, 2004
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I USE FOR NORMAL DRIVING. AT 12000 MILES THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT ROTOR WAS WARPED AND REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND TURNED THE ROTORS AT MY EXPENSE($250). NOW, AT 29000 MILES AND A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH, I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN A BIT. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN, INSTEAD IT SPEED UP TO ABOUT 75 MPH. I HIT THE BRAKES HARDER, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. *AK I QUICKLY PULLED ON THE HAND BRAKE AND SHIFTED THE GEAR TO PARK, THEN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I HADE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO MAKE A REPAIR. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2004
BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WHEN DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER RUNNING A STOP SIGN. DEALERSHIP WILL BE CONTACTED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN BY THEIR SON.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2004, crash
ON THE DATE BELOW, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN MY BRAND NEW CAMRY WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SPED UP, SENDING THE CAR THROUGH A GUARD RAIL. MY CAR ENDED UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I HAVE A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD, AND HAVE NEVER EVEN HAD A TICKET. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR HAD THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM THAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT. I HAD CONTACTED TOYOTA WHEN THE ACCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED. THEY SENT SOMEONE OUT WHO CHECKED THE TIRES AND THE STEERING, AND A FEW MINOR THINGS. NO ONE TESTED ANYTHING TO DO WITH ACCELERATION. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AND I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO A TRAUMA CENTER, WHERE I WAS HOSPITALIZED. I AM NOW DRIVING A 2003 CAMRY, AND I FEEL LIKE I'M DRIVING A TIME BOMB, SINCE I READ THAT THE PROBLEM MAY EXIST IN BOTH THE 02 AND 03 MODELS. *AK SEE VOQ 10063318. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2004
I'M VERY CONCERN ABOUT MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA VIN#[XXX] SINCE I NOTICED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS 02/18/04 BEING THE MOST RECENT ONE OF SOMETHING THAT CAUSES SUDDEN ACCELERATION EVEN WHEN IT READS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON THE SPEEDOMETER. THANK YOU. RESPECTFULLY, [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)