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, May 1, 2003
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, AUTO, 4 CYLS. THE CAR HAS A SURGE LIKE MOVEMENT WHEN I TRY TO PULL OUT OF STOP, REDUCE SPEED THEN REACCELERATE AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AFTER TURNING THE CAR AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES, IT INCREASE SPEED INITIALLY, THEN LOOSE POWER FOR A SECOND, AFTER THAT REGAIN SPEED. THE CAR ALSO ABRUPTLY REDUCES SPEED WHEN CRUISING BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH IF I RELEASE THE GAS JUST A LITTLE.
Air bags, Apr 28, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB *TS
Suspension, Apr 27, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE V IN OCT 2002 I STARTED NOTICING THAT IN NOV 2001 THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I ASLO NOTICED THAT WHEN I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE I CAN FEEL EVERY VIBRATION AND BUMP IN THEROAD WHILE HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THROUGH THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN DECEMBER 2001 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE BUT DID NOT EXCEED 40 MILES AN HOUR. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TWO MORE TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IN DECEMBER 2002 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT I HAD THE ALIGNMENT DONE AND THE CAR IS NO BETTER.
Visibility, Apr 26, 2003
THE AUTOMATIC DIMMING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT DIM SUFFICIENTLY TO ELIMINATE GLARE FROM THE HEADLIGHTS OF CARS BEHIND ME AT NIGHT. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Apr 26, 2003
WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL OF MY 2002 CAMRY XLE, THE PEDAL CAN BE DEPRESSED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT MY FOOT ALSO RESTS ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP AND THE CAR NOT TO STOP AS EXPECTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE. *NLM THE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR IS AN AUTO DIMMING TYPE AND DOES NOT HAVE A MANUAL DEVICE TO ORIENT THE MIRROR WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATES THE MIRROR DOES NOT DIM SUFFICIENTLY (OR AT ALL) TO PREVENT ANNOYING GLARE FROM THE HEADLIGHTS OF FOLLOWING VEHICLES. THE MIRROR MUST BE MANUALLY TILTED AT NIGHT CAUSING LOSS OF MIRROR USE.
Air bags, Apr 22, 2003
THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *JB
Air bags, Apr 20, 2003, crash
INVOLVED IN FRONTAL CRASH AT 35 MPH AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 18, 2003, crash
CONSUMER BACKED VEHICLE INTO POLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO EXTENDED ACCELERATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. UPDATED 7/2/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERESE, SHE HIT A POLE WITH HER REAR BUMPER, SHE THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVER, AND THE ACCELERATOR JAMMED INTO THE ON POSITION, AND THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR OUT OF CONTROL. UPDATED 08/06/12
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 18, 2003
BRAKE PEDAL ON 2002 CAMRY TOUCHES FLOOR WHILE I AM STOPPED AT LIGHT. NO ACCIDENTS YET, BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. (LOW BRAKE PEDAL) I HAVE SCHEDULED ANOTHER CHECKUP FOR THE BRAKES. WHAT CAN I DO? *NLM
Vehicle speed control, Apr 17, 2003
THE THROTTLE STUCK IN THE IDLE POSITION UPON ACCELERATION . THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Suspension, Apr 15, 2003
THUMPING NOISE IN REAR SUSPENSION OF MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STABILIZER BAR IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. THIS NOISE CONTINUES TO GROW LOUDER. INSPECTION OF REAR SUSPENSION MAKES ME THINK THE STABILIZER BAR TIE ROD THAT ATTACHES TO THE COIL SPRING STRUT IS FAULTY.*JB
Tires, Apr 14, 2003
THE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. *JB
Suspension, Tires, Apr 9, 2003
I HAVE 2002 CAMRY SE V6. THE CAR CAME WITH BRIGESTONE TIRES THAT WERE TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE UNDER VERY LITTLE SNOW CONDITIONS. DRIVING THIS CAR ON A COUPLE OF SNOW DAYS GAVE ME THE SCARE OF MY LIFE. I TRIED TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND TOYOTA MANY TIMES AND DID NOT GET ANY HELP. I HAVE SPEND $300.00 TRADED MY NEW TIRES TO DIFFERENT TIRES. THE TRACTION OF THE VEHICLE GREATLY IMPROVED. I SIMPLY CAN NOT BELIEVE A 'REPUTED' CAR COMPANY CAN S... CUSTOMER LIKE THIS WHEN THEY SPEND $30,000 ON A BRAND NEW CAR. THE SECOND PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT THE CAR 'WOBBLES' WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. MAY COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERS GOT THE SAME RESPONSE: "THE ROAD ARE TO BE BLAMED, NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR". RECENTLY I GOT THE WHEEL BALANCE/ALIGNMENT DONE. NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE. I DRIVE MY OTHER VEHICLE ON THE SAME ROADS AND NEVER FEEL THIS WAY. DRIVEN OTHER CARS AND NOT FELT LIKE THIS. THIS DEFINITELY SEEMS SOME DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION/WHEELS OR FRAME. TOYOTA - YOU BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS OR PEOPLE WILL JUST "TALK" ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND YOU WILL HAVE TO HEAR THEM. JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 9, 2003
BRAKES ARE VERY SPONGY AND PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR IF CONTINUOUS PRESSURE IS APPLIED. NOT ABLE TO COME TO A STOP QUICKLY IF NEEDED.*JB
Structure, Apr 2, 2003
THE POSITION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS IN THE SAME PLANE AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMERS FOOT TO ACTIVATE THE ACCELERATOR WHILE BEING MOSTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TOO LOW TO THE FLOOR DURING BRAKING.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 27, 2003
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THIS VEHICLE AND A NEWLY PURCHASED 2003 CAMRY. *JB SCC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL FORWARD. THE CONSUMER CUT OFF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. *TC
Power train, Mar 26, 2003
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND BEFORE THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE CONSUMER REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT OTHERS REPORTED SIMILAR CONCERNS. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A LACK OF LOCK ON THE TRANSMISSION. *NLM *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 24, 2003
BRAKES SQUEALING. HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS ISSUE WITH DEALERSHIP WHEN EVER I GO FOR SERVICE AND ALSO INDEPENDENTLY AT ONE TIME. DEALER DOES SOMETHING AND THE BRAKES STOP MAKING NOISE FOR 1-2 DAYS. AFTER THAT ITS THE SAME. THE BRAKES MAKES SUCH A GREAT EAR PIERCING NOISE. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 24, 2003
THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SCC *JB
Structure, Mar 23, 2003
BACKING CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY IN APPROXIMATELY. 6 INCHES OF SNOW (HAD BEEN PARKED NIGHT BEFORE AFTER 1-2 INCHES HAD FALLEN). ROCK GUARD CAUGHT SNOW (GAVE NO FEELING OF RESISTANCE) AND RIPPED OFF, ALSO PULLING OFF FRONT BUMPER (MOSTLY DRIVER SIDE) AND DAMAGING DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS "NORMAL." HOWEVER, THE MINIMAL SPEED AND FORCE THAT IT TOOK FOR THIS AMOUNT OF DAMAGE MAKES US QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF THE PARTS USED IN OUR VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE OR CLAIM ANY RESPONSIBILITY, AND REFUSES TO GIVE OUT ANY INFORMATION ON HOW TO REACH A FACTORY REP. OTHER THAT TELLING US THEY WILL "RELAY THE COMPLAINT" TO THE FACTORY REP. AND HAVE HER CALL US "WHENEVER SHE WILL BE IN TOWN." THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN OWNED FOR 8 1/2 MONTHS AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT HAD NO PROBLEMS DRIVING FORWARD IN SNOW CONDITIONS. WE WERE TOLD DUE TO THE BUILD OF THE VEHICLE TO WITHSTAND FRONT END COLLISIONS, THAT IT MAKES THE CAR VULNERABLE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE HAVE EXPERIENCED, HOWEVER, WE WERE NOT GIVEN THIS INFORMATION PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE IN EXACTLY THE SAME OR WORSE CONDITIONS IN THE PAST. WE ARE NOW BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER $1400 IN DAMAGES. WE FEEL THAT THERE IS FAULTY MANUFACTURING INVOLVED AND WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED. WE ALSO WANT TOYOTA TO OWN UP TO SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT MANUFACTURING. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 21, 2003
CAR EMITS AN STRONG ODOR OF ROTTEN EGGS (SULFUR DIOXIDE) THROUGH THE INTERIOR VENT SYSTEM. THIS CONDITION IS DOCUMENTED IN TOYOTA TSB EG003-03 DATED 2/24/03. ALTHOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONDITION, THEY SAY IT IS THE FAULT OF THE GASOLINE. I HAVE TRIED MANY DIFFERENT BRANDS AND MY NEIGHBORS CARS DO NOT EXHIBIT THIS SMELL. SULFUR DIOXIDE IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE WITH RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS SUCH AS MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS ASTHMA. HER CONDITION HAS BECOME WORSE THIS WINTER BECAUSE (WE THINK) OF HER CONTACT WITH THIS CAR. TOYOTA HAS SAID THAT THE CONDITION IS NOT COVERED IN THEIR WARRANTY AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. *NLM
Tires, Mar 14, 2003
ALL 4 OF THE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES WERE DANGEROUS UNDER SNOWY CONDITIONS. THE TREAD FILLED UP WITH SNOW, AND TIRES HAD NO TRACTION, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO SPIN.*JB
Tires, Mar 14, 2003
ALL 4 OF THE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES WERE DANGEROUS UNDER SNOWY CONDITIONS. THE TREAD FILLED UP WITH SNOW AND THE TIRES HAD NO TRACTION, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO SPIN.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 13, 2003
THE BRAKES SQUEAKED WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED, HOWEVER THE DEALER DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *JB
Suspension, Mar 13, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. *JB