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.
Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Oct 27, 2003
I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES WHICH WERE ON THE CAR WHEN WE PURCHASED IT IN FALL OF 2002. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP, HIGH COUNTRY TOYOTA IN SCOTTSBORO, AL, 3 TIMES AND PHONED OUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES FOR 3 PROBLEMS. #1 - RATTLING - WHICH WE WERE TOLD ON THE FIRST VISIT TO DEALER IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD COVER AND THEY HAD FIXED IT BY BENDING IT OUT. IT'S RATTLING AGAIN, NOW. #2 - SMELL OF SULFER/ROTTEN EGGS - WHICH WE WERE TOLD THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE. IT STILL SMELLS! #3 - MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO WAL-MART TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND THE TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED BECAUSE WE NOTICED ALOT OF WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRES AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING WHEN DRIVING. MY HUSBAND WAS PAGED BACK TO THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTION BY AN EMPLOYEE TO SEE THE TIRES HIMSELF BEFORE THEY TOOK THEM ALL OFF THE CAR AND TO WARN MY HUSBAND ABOUT DRIVING ON THE TIRES IF WE DIDN'T REPLACE THEM IMMEDIATELY. MY HUSBAND SAID THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES WERE SHOWING THE WIRES FROM SEVERE WEARING. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED IT TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE FRONT END FOR DAMAGE THAT COULD CAUSE THE TIRES TO WEAR IN SUCH A WAY SO QUICKLY. OUR VEHICLE IS 1 YR. OLD WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT. HE WAS TOLD IT WAS OK, BUT THE TIRES ON THE CAR AT TIME OF PURCHASE WEREN'T MEANT TO LAST VERY LONG, ANYWAY. HE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL - TRUSTED - TIRE COMPANY AND HAD THE TIRES REPLACED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT OUR DEALER ISN'T AWARE OF ANY RECALLS AND/OR COMPLAINTS ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I HAVE COME ACROSS MORE THAN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO MAKE ME WONDER IF I'VE MADE A HUGE/COSTLY MISTAKE IN TRUSTING THE TOYOTA NAME AND PAST REPUTATION, ESPECIALLY WITH 3 CHILDREN WHO WERE PUT AT RISK AND A MONTHLY CAR PAYMENT!*AK
Steering, Oct 9, 2003
I TOOK DELIVERY OF A 2002 CAMRY XLE ON 3/12/03. FROM THE DRIVE HOME TO THIS DATE THE CAR HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT PULL TOWARD THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING. THIS PULL IS SUCH THAT EVEN RELATIVELY MINOR CHANGES IN ROAD SURFACE RESULT IN A WORSENED PULL THAT REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION BY STEERING TOWARD THE RIGHT. APPROXIMATELY EIGHT (8)ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED OR CORRECTED THROUGH THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS HAVE PROVEN FUTILE. I HAVE MADE REPEATED CALLS TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER IN TORRENCE,CALIFORNIA. EFFORTS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HAVE INCLUDED:NEW TIRE AND WHEEL ROTATIONS(5-6 TIMES), ALIGNMENTS(5-6 TIMES), AND CAMBER BOLTS REPLACED(TWICE). AFTER THE LAST CAMBER BOLT REPLACEMENT THERE WAS IMPROVEMENT FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BUT THE STEERING PROBLEM QUICKLY RETURNED. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN AN EFFORT TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE STEERING PROBLEM. THE FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT REVEALED THAT THE CASTER WAS NOT WITHIN THE FACTORY SPECIFIED RANGE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CASTER AND THERE WAS A WARNING ON THE PRINTED ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION SHEET STATING,"THIS VALUE IS NOT WITHIN SPECIFICATION. TIRE WEAR,HANDLING AND SAFETY PROBLEMS MAY RESULT". THIS WAS AND STILL IS OF GRAVE CONCERN TO ME. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS AND WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE PURCHASING DEALERSHIP.IN THE COURSE OF THESE REPEATED SERVICE VISITS I WAS GIVEN A 2002 CAMRY LE TO DRIVE AS A LOANER CAR ON TWO OCCASIONS AND ONE OF THE LOANER CARS HAD THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM AS MINE. I FEEL UNSAFE WITH THEY'RE UNRESOLVED STEERING PROBLEMS AND FEEL THAT THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND MY FAMILY AND PERHAPS OTHER 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY OWNERS. *LA
Structure, Oct 9, 2003
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY DOOR HANDLE BREAK PREVENTING DOOR FROM BEING OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. YOU HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN IN ORDER TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. *LA
Wheels, Oct 8, 2003
VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A PLASTIC WHEEL COVER THAT MELTED AND FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE HUBS OVERHEATING. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT DIDN'T HAVE A SOLUTION TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, JUST INFORMED CONSUMER OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE COVERS.*AK
Structure, Oct 6, 2003
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER PLASTIC DOORS KNOB HANDLE BROKE WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED BOTH HANDLES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Tires, Oct 6, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 5, 2003
KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE. IGNITION DEFECT COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO ROLL AND STRIKE ANOTHER CAR OR A PERSON WHEN UNATTENDED. THE IS THE SECOND SERIOUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON THIS CAR. THIS IS THE SAME NEW CAR THAT HAS INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURES OF HYDRAULIC ABS IN UNDER 15,000, CAUSING CAR TO GO THROUGH STOPS THREE TIMES. PLEASE SEE COMPLAINT # 10018667. IMPOSSIBLE TO GET MANUFACTURE TO ASSIST DESPITE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. BUYER BEWARE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 4, 2003
ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS WERE ON SNOWY AND RAINY ROADWAYS, SO I FIGURED IT WAS THE ROAD CONDITIONS THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME I WAS ON IDEAL ROAD CONDITIONS, INCLUDING NO SAND ON THE ROADWAY. I BRAKED AS USUAL BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP IN THE NORMAL DISTANCE AND CONTINUED TO TRAVEL LONGER THAN THE NORMAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT HAPPENED FOR THE FOURTH TIME ON MY REGULAR ROUTE TO WORK. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS USUAL AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED, BUT DID NOT HOLD. I WAS NEITHER SLIDING NOR SKIDDING, BUT CONTINUED TO TRAVEL ALONG AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE OF SPEED. SINCE I WAS COMING TO A MAJOR ROADWAY, I WAS FORCED TO PUT IT IN PARK TO STOP THE CAR OR I WOULD HAVE EASILY TRAVELED ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AGAIN. THEY INSPECTED IT ALL OVER AND SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR ABS BRAKES. *LA
Steering, Suspension, Oct 4, 2003
CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT. *LA
Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2003
WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD STILL BE ENGAGED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *AK
Tires, Oct 1, 2003
ON SEPT. 27 THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND EXAMINED TIRE. TIRE HAD SUSTAINED MANY RIPS AND TEARS ALONG THE SIDE AND NUMEROUS FIBERS WERE EXPOSED WITHIN THE RIPS AND TEARS. THE TIRE WAS NOT FLATTENED. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE. THE TIRES ON MY 2002 CAMRY CAME WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD ONLY 18,000 MILES. THE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE INSPECTOR UPON EXAMINATION OF THE TIRE DENIED IT WAS DEFECTIVE. *LA
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 1, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED PARALLEL TO THE CURB. WITH THE DRIVERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD, THROUGHOUT THE INTERSECTION, OVER A CURB INCREASING IN SPEED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SCC *JB
Air bags, Sep 23, 2003, crash
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED A FRONTAL CAR CRASH AT 25 MPH BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Structure, Sep 23, 2003
NOISES FROM AROUND THE FRONT OF THE WINSHIELD,POPPING,RATTLES,RUBBING,AND OTHER SIMILAR NOISES.RUBBING NOISES AROUND DRIVERS DOOR.LIGHT BUT CAN BE HEARD AT THE TIME OF GOING ACROS BUMPS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 17, 2003
I DRIVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE PURCHASED AUGUST 2002, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SOMETIMES WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE MY FOOT ALSO PRESSES THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE I REGAIN CONTROL AND STOP IT. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND/OR THEIR HEIGHT FROM THE FLOOR OR RANGE OF MOTION ARE BAD. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 50 YEARS, HAVEN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM SIGNIFICANTLY BEFORE. MY LAST CAR WAS A '92 FORD TAURUS - HAD NO SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH IT. I AM TALL, HAVE BIG FEET - SIZE 12 OR 13 SHOES. I AM AFRAID I MIGHT ACCIDENTALLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN WHO STEPPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR, OR BUMP INTO ANOTHER CAR WHEN I AM MOVING BACK AND FORTH WHILE PARKING OR TURNING IN TIGHT LOCATIONS. OTHERWISE THE CAR IS GOOD, BUT THIS PROBLEM IS BAD ENOUGH THAT I WOULD BUY ANOTHER CAR NOW IF THE LOSS FROM ONE YEAR'S DEPRECIATION WAS NOT AS HIGH. YOU (NHTSA) MIGHT HAVE STATISTICS THAT WOULD PERMIT YOU TO CHECK THIS OUT, THEN GET TOYOTA TO REDESIGN THE PEDALS. *JB
Air bags, Sep 12, 2003, crash
FAILURE OF AIR BAGS TO ACTIVATE IN TWO SERIOUS FRONT END CRASHES.*MR THE CONSUMER IS IN POSSESSION OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR FROM THE FIRST CRASH. IN ADDITION, HE WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE WITH APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION. VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS TOTALING $7030.00. (ATTORNEY WROTE ON BEHALF OF CLIENT: DAVID JANG) *PH *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2003
MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BRAKING SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. FIND EVERY TIME I GO TO STOP BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT STOP AND PERFORM PROPERLY. FIND CAR DOES NOT PERFORM PROPERLY IN RAIN AND SNOW AND SKIDS OUT IN THIS TYPE OF WEATHER. NOTE HAVE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP ALONG WITH MANUFACTURER TO NOTIFY THEM OF MY COMPLAINT WITH NO AVAIL. *PH
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 3, 2003
UNRELIABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE FROM STOPPED OR SLIGHTLY ROLLING.. SOMETIMES RESPONDS SMARTLY, MOST OF THE TIME HESITATES AND/OR RESPONDS THEN HESITATES. SOMETIMES LETTING YOU LINGER FOR A SECOND OR TWO PARTIALLY ACROSS TWO LANES(INFREQUENT) BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS THING IS GOING TO DO IT TO YOU!. EVENTS ARE CONTINUOUS. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. OF COURSE THEY ALSO SAID MY DRIVER POWER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE OR SLIP. FOUND THE SB ON THAT, WILL PROVIDE THEM A COPY NEXT TIME IN FOR SSERVICE.*AK
Power train, Aug 27, 2003
WE HAVE A BRAND NEW 2002 CAMRY XLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD IT "JUMPS" INTO DRIVE WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP THERE IS USUALLY NO PROBLEM. *AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Aug 12, 2003
THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT HARSHLY INTO DRIVE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD BUT WHEN WARMED UP THE VEHICLE DROVE SMOOTHLY. THE STEERING WHEEL HUMMED WHEN TURNED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT A BUSHING FOR THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. THE UPPER AND LOWER BELT MOLDING AROUND THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAME OFF. A FAULTY CHARCOAL CANISTER CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *AK *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 11, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK
Suspension, Jul 30, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 28, 2003
BOTH REAR BRAKE DISCS WERE GROOVED AFTER 4000 MILES OF USE. DEALERSHIP TURNED ROTORS. PROBLEMS STILL EXISTED WITH NOISE. TOOK TO SECOND DEALER AND THEY TURNED DISCS (SECOND TURNING) DIAGNOSIS: WARPED DISCS. MY CONSCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THE REAR BRAKES NEW, AS WELL AS AFTER THE REMEDY (TURNING). CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. FROM FIRST DEALER STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT NOISE, BUT IT IS PERFECTLY SAFE. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 24, 2003
2002 CAMRY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF PREVENTING EXIT FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PART IS MADE OF PLASTIC. ALL OF MY CURRENT AND RECENT VEHICLES HAVE A METAL INSIDE DOOR HANDLE I.E 1994 AND 1996 HONDA ACCORDS, 1992 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 24, 2003, crash
THE DRIVER SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED UP TO ABOUT 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE HIT A CAR AND A TREE BEFORE IT STOPPED . *AK *CB *NLM UPDATED 7/2/12 *CN