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, Nov 25, 2002
INTERMITTENLY CRUISE CONTROL BECOME INOPERABLE, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CRUISE CONTROL REAMAIN ACTIVATED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION... TS
Vehicle speed control, Nov 25, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL. CONSUMER HAD TO SWERVE VEHICLE THROUGH TRAFFIC TO AVOID A COLLISION. AS A RESULT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF SLOWING CAR DOWN ENOUGH FOR CONSUMER TO DOWNSHIFT GEARS. TS
Suspension, Nov 12, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT CAUSING IT TO BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR *JG *JB
Structure, Nov 12, 2002
DURING THE DAY DRIVING THE ODOMETER IS UNREADABLE 80-90% OF THE TIME. UNLESS THE CONSUMER WEARS POLOROID GLASSES TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THIS PROBLEM IS NON EXISTENT AT NIGHT. *SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 8, 2002
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKES CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30MPH AND HE HAD APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND WHICH IT CAUSE INTO A SIDE PAVIMENT. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS PRESENT TIME. TS
Power train, Nov 8, 2002, crash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING A ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2002, crash
CONSUMER ENTER THE PARKED VEHICLE TURNED ON IGNITION AND CONSUMER STATES' VEHICLE TOOK OFF, CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING A FIRE PLUG. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 7, 2002
ATTEMPTED TO BRING VEHICLE TO STOP BY APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN PARKING INTO A PARKING SPOT AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A STOP, RESULTING INTO A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A BUILDING'S OUTER WALL. DT
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 3, 2002
EXHAUST PIPE COULD EASILY BE PUNCTURED OR OTHERWISE DAMAGED ASCENDING OR DECENDING A STEEP DRIVEWAY OR BY HITTING AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE ROAD. EXPENSIVE REPAIRS MIGHT BE REQUIRED AND PERHAPS TOXIC CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES COULD BE RELEASED. LIBERTY TOYOTA ASSERTS THAT ALL 2002 CAMRY'S ARE DESIGNED THIS WAY. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IF I HAD BEEN AWARE OF THIS FLAW. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 1, 2002
ON TWO OCCASION SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70 MPH) IF THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED STRONG TO AVOID A COLLISION YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL 180 DEGREES ACROSS THREE LANES OF FREEWAY AND ENDED UP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON THE SHOULDER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN THE DESCRIBED FASHION THE REAR OF THE CAR BEGINS TO SKID INTO AN OUT OF CONTROL SITUATION. DT
Vehicle speed control, Oct 22, 2002
CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELARATOR. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR
Power train, Oct 21, 2002
CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSIMISSION BEEN REPLACED SEVEREAL TIMES. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING OCCASIONALLY WHITE SMOKE EXITS THE EXHAUST. CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Suspension, Oct 14, 2002
THIS VEHICLE CONTINUES TO CHANGE DIRECTION SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO THE VEHICLE VEERING OUT OF MY LANE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF ALIGNMENT ON FOUR SEPARATE SERVICE CALLS AT 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS, YET THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I FIND THIS VEHICLE TO BE COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT CONTINUOUSLY FIGHTING THE WHEEL TO KEEP IT IN MY LANE. MR
Seat belts, Oct 9, 2002
FRONT LAP BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AFTER RELEASING BUCKETS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Service brakes, Air, Oct 8, 2002
PROBLEMS WITH REAR ROTORS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *MR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 4, 2002, fire
SMELLED GAS FUMES, DEALER BASICALLY TOLD US NOT TO WORRY. WHEN DRIVING ALONG TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THEN EXPLODED. VEHICLE ONLY 1 MONTH OLD AND I HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. MR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 3, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL REQUIRES EXCESSIVE EFFORT AND TRAVELS VERY CLOSE TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. CONSUMER CONTACTED MFR WHO ADVISED THAT THE BRAKING ACTION IS A NORMAL OCCURENCE WITH A NEW BRAKING SYSTEM INSTALLED. *NLM THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY A MANUFACTURING REP THAT THE PEDAL TRAVELS. *SCC
Tires, Oct 3, 2002
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SIDEWALL WAS TORN. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T REFUND THEM. THE TEAR IS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE SIZE OF THE TIRE IS 205/65R15 92T. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92. NLM
Parking brake, Oct 2, 2002, crash
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN INCLINED SPOT. PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND CAR ROLLED OVER A CURB INTO A METAL POLE ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED. *PH (2002 TOYOTA MR2) *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768022
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 27, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *MR
Air bags, Sep 24, 2002, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JB *SCC
Tires, Sep 24, 2002
THE TIRES WERE ON THE TOYOTA WHEN PURCHASED. THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE FAILED AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE 101 NORTHBOUND FOR SUN CITY. THERE WERE SEVERAL LARGE HOLES IN THE SIDE WALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS COULD BE DUE TO LOW TIRE PRESSURE. HOWEVER, THE PRESSURE IN THE TIRES WERE CHECKED WITHIN THE SEVEN DAYS OF THE TIRE FAILURE---AT LEAST WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD BEEN CHECKED AS PART OF THE SERVICE WE PAID FOR. THE FULL TIRE SIZE NUMBER WAS P205/65/R15 92T---MORE NUMBERS THAN ALLOWED IN THE PREVIOUS BLANK. IF LOW AIR PRESSURE COULD CAUSE THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE ON A TIRE, THEN IT SEEMS TO ME THAT REGULATIONS SHOULD REQUIRE GREATER TOLERANCE IN TIRE PRESSURE. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2002
THE BRAKES MAKE A "PLINK" SOUND, LIKE A UKELELE STRING BEING PLUCKED, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IF CONSTANT PRESSURE IS APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST, THE MASTER CYLINDER, BLED THE BRAKE LINES, AND ADJUSTED THE LINKAGE BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I HAVE A SECOND 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, VIN [XXX], THAT I BOUGHT AT THE SAME TIME WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VIN'S ARE WITHIN 1,200 NUMBERS OF EACH OTHER. PH. *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**767459 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2002
THE BRAKES MAKE A "PLINK" SOUND, LIKE A UKELELE STRING BEING PLUCKED, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR IF CONSTANT PRESSURE IS APPLIED. I HAVE ANOTHER 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, VIN [XXX], THAT I BOUGHT AT THE SAME TIME WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST, THE MASTER CYLINDER, BLEED THE BRAKE LINES, AND ADJUSTED THE LINKAGE ON THAT CAR BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE PROBLEM ON THE OTHER 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS REPORTED ON ODI # 767459. THE VIN FOR THE SECOND 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I REFERRED TO IN THAT REPORT WAS MISSTATED AS [XXX]. THE VIN IN THIS REPORT IS CORRECT.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR