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, Sep 18, 2002
TAIL PIPE IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Sep 18, 2002
FRONT RIGHT AXLE HAD BROKEN 6 MONTHS AFTER THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANAGER INDICATED THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN BROKEN WHEN PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND WHEN ROTATING THE TIRES. THE3 ARM WHICH HOLDS THE FOOT BRAKE HAS A CURVITURE IN IT SUCH THAT ANY PERSON WITH A SIZE 12 SHOE CAN CATCH THE TOE OF THE SHOE IN IT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE. *SCC
Vehicle speed control, Sep 17, 2002
ON MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE THE OTHER DAY (I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 40 YEARS) MY CAR KEPT GOING INSTEAD OF STOPPING!! IT TURNED OUT THAT I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AS WELL AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SINCE THEY ARE ALMOST ON THE SAME LEVEL AS WELL AS BEING CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. ACTUALLY, WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS ACTUALLY HIGHER WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE STILL DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL! THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHILE GETTING ACCUSTOMED TO DRIVING THIS NEW CAR I FOUND IT UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES TO GET MY RIGHT FOOT IN THE PROPER POSITION TO DRIVE SAFELY. MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?*AK
Power train, Sep 16, 2002
VEHICLE PULSATING BETWEEN 38 TO 40 MPH WHEN APPLYING GEAR, VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD CLUNKNIG NOISE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 11, 2002
THERE IS A BAD LINKAGE BETWEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, AND THERE IS A LOUD NOISE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS SLACK IN THE DRIVETRAIN. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2002
WE HAVE OWNED CAMRYS SINCE 1985. TOOK DELIVERY THIS CAR W/3 MILES ON ODOMETER - BRAKES FELT "MUSHY" BUT GAVE THEM A BREAK-IN PERIOD OF SEVERAL 100 MILES, THEN RETURNED CAR TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT OF MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL - EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL & INSTANCES OF THE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR. SVC WRITER NEVER WROTE UP AN R/O AND SAID THAT THAT WAS THE THE WAY THE "NEW" BRAKES WERE SUPPOSED TO FEEL. UN-SATISFIED WITH THE EXPLANATION ICONTACTED TOYOTA'S E-MAIL RESPONSE LINE AND COMPLAINED. THEY ARRANGED A RETURN SERVICE APPT WITH THE DEALER - R/O WAS WRITTEN UP AND REAR BRAKES WERE "CLEANED AND ADJUSTED" - THE CAR WAS NEVER TEST DRIVEN RE: THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. PROBLEM WAS UN-CORRECTED. CONTACTED TOYOTA'S E-MAIL SERVICE AGAIN AND A PERSONAL APPT W/DEALERS SVC SUPV WAS MADE. NO R/O WAS WRITTEN UP BUT HE TOOK A TEST DRIVE IN MY CAR & ALLOWED ME TO TEST DRIVE A 2002 "DEMONSTRATOR." UNFORTUNATELY THE BRAKES REACTED AND FELT THE SAME WAY IN BOTH VEHICLES. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE RE-DESIGNED BRAKE SYSTEM GAVE THIS EFFECT AND, FURTHER, THAT THE LENGTHY PEDAL TRAVEL COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED OUT. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THESE RE-DESIGNED BRAKES CAN BE CONSIDERED SAFE! THE PEDAL TRAVEL IF AT LEAST 4-5 INCHES LONG AND BEFORE THE BRAKING EFFECT EVEN BEGINS THE LEVEL OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BELOW THAT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT CENTERED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (AS IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION) IT IS ENTIRELY CONCEIVABLE THAT ONE COULD BE CONTACTING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME, BOTH BRAKING AND ACCELERATING SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE LONG PEDAL TRAVEL BEFORE THE BRAKES TAKE EFFECT ADDS AN EXTRA REACTION TIME TO THE STOPPING PROCESS THEREBY LENGTHENING THE STOPPING DISTANCE. I AM MOST UNHAPPY WITH THESE BRAKES AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 17 YEARS, UNHAPPY AND DISSATISFIED WITH TOYOTA'S RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM. I DEFINITELY FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE THAN OUR SECOND CAR, A '99 CAMRY.*AK
Suspension, Sep 7, 2002
PURCHASED NEW VEHICLE FROM DEALER. HEARD KNOCKING FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND LEFT FOR THE DAY. VEHICLE RETURNED TO ME AND TOLD NOISES WERE NORMAL. UNSATISFIED, I TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE NEW DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN STRUT IN THE REAR PASSANGER SIDE WHEEL. IS THIS NEGLIGENT. IS THIS A SAFETY CONCERN. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2002
THERE IS A VERY STRONG ROTTEN EGG/SULPHER ODOR EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN A SHORT OR LONG DISTANCE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ODOR WAS CAUSED BY HIGH SULPHER CONTENT IN THE GASOLINE THAT I WAS PUTTING IN THE CAR AND THAT I SHOULD TRY DIFFERENT BRANDS OF GASOLINE TO SEE WHICH ONE CAUSED THE LEAST ODOR. I HAVE TRIED 3 DIFFERENT BRANDS AND THE ODOR IS STILL THE SAME. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER TWICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT SINCE IT WAS THE GASOLINE THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEH ENGINE OR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THAT EITHER THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM.*AK
Power train, Sep 3, 2002
VEHICLE GOES INTO OVERDRIVE WHEN DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LAG, GOING TOO SLOWLY IN THE APPROPRIATE GEAR CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SUSTAIN A FOWARD AND BACKWARD ROCKING MOTION, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLES EARLY LOCK UP INTO OVERDRIVE IS A CHARACTERISTIC, THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED CONSUMER TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM OVERDRIVE AT THAT SPEED AND THEN PUT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO OVERDRIVE WHEN SPEED INCREASES, THEREFORE PUTTING IT INTO 3RD GEAR INCREASES THE ENGINE NOISE, INCREASES THE RPMS AND REDUCES THE VEHICLES FUEL ECONOMY, HOWEVER THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES ALWAYS DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH OVERDRIVE ON FOR BETTER FUEL ECONOMY.*JB
Tires, Aug 27, 2002
THERE IS A BUBBLE ON OUTSIDE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 10000 MILES, MOUNTED ON A TOYOTA CAMRY 2002.*AKTHE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRE. *JG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 21, 2002
AFTER THE CAR HAS STOPPED THE BRAKES BLEED OFF AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES CLEAR TO THE FLOOR!!*AK
Structure, Aug 20, 2002
THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS TOO HIGH AND A DRIVER OF AVERAGE HEIGHT CAN NOT SEE THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD CAUSING BACKING UP HAZARDOUS. *YH
Suspension, Aug 18, 2002
THE PROBLEM OF MY CAR A TOYOTA CAMRY 2002 GRAY 4 DOORS V6, I NUMBER OF SERIES [XXX] IT HAS PRESENTED ME THE PROBLEM SINCE HE BUYS IT A BLOW IN THE PART OF BEHIND OF THE SAME RIGHT SIDE, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHERE ADRIEL CAR BUYS IT THEY HAVE CHANGED HIM SEVERAL PIECES BUT THE EXPENSIVE ONE CONTINUES EQUALLY. THEY PUT HIM SUBSTITUTION OF THE SAME CAR, OF THE CAMRY 2002 AND THEY EVEN REQUESTED OF THE PATTERN LEXUS SE 300 BUT I TURN OUT TO BE THE SAME THING THAT THE ORIGINAL PIECES. I HAVE UNDERSTOOD BY WHAT THEY HAVE TOLD ME IN SHOP OF THE DEALER THAT THERE ARE OTHER MODELS OF THE SAME ONE WITH THE SAME SITUATION. MY CONTINUOUS CAR UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AND TOME IT AFFECTS ME SINCE IT IS NOT A CHEAP CAR THAT THEY ASSURE IT MANAGES CONFIDENT AND I DON'T FEEL SURE IN THE SAME ONE. THEY ALLEGE THAT TOYOTA OF P.R. HE KNOWS IN THIS RESPECT BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANSWER NONE. AT THE MOMENTS IT BOTHERS ME THE NOISE THERE IS EVEN DAUGHTER OF 9 YEARS OLD THIS SHE DOESN'T WANT IN THE LATER PART OF THE CAR SINCE THE NOISE BOTHERS HIM. HELPED ME IN ALL INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN OFFER ME ON THE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT OF THIS VEHICLE THE SAME AS IF THE SAME ONE IS FEASIBLE IN P.R. SINCE I SUBJECTED MY CASE TO DACO THAT IS A SERVICE OF HELP TO THE CONSUMER BUT THE ONLY THING THAT HAVE MADE IT IS TO VERIFY THE CAR THEY REALIZED THE CONDITION THAT HAS, THEY VERIFIED ANOTHER MODEL IN THE SAME DEALER FOR THE INSPECTOR OF DACO I BREAK WIND IT WAS THE SAME AS MINE. ME THE ONLY THING THAT I WANT IS THAT THEY HELP ME TO SOLVE MY PROBLEM GIVING NECESSARY INFORMATION OR THEY INVESTIGATE ME TO SOLVE MY PROBLEM. AT THE MOMENT I WANT THAT OF BEING POSSIBLE FOR THE VERIFICATIONS THAT UNDERGO ME CANCEL MY CONTRACT AND I AM RETURNED MY MONEY SINCE THEY DON'T FIND SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM AND THIS IS AFFECTING MY HEALTH AND THAT OF MY DAUGHTER. RIGHT NOW I AM WAITING THE CITATION THAT DACO. I AM AFRAID I SIT DOWN WITHOUT PROTECTION BECAUSE I HAVE THOSE OF LOSING.AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 16, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES DURING NORMAL BRAKING PROCEDURE, THERE IS AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, THE PEDAL FEELS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED 4 TIMES BY DEALER, CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AKCONSUMER IS AFRAID TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TOYOTA DEALERS STATE THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE VERIFIED BEFORE ANY WORK CAN BE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. NO PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND. THE DEALER CONSIDERS EVERYTHING TO BE OPERATING IN ITS NORMAL FUNCTION. *JG
Suspension, Aug 13, 2002
VEHICLE WILL CONTINUOUSLY PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING. CONSUMER TO GETTIRES REPLACED DUE TO ALIGNMENT NOT BEING CORRECTED. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WASNOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 8, 2002
HYDRAULIC BRAKES; VEHICLE FAILS TO RESPOND TO BRAKE APPLICATION WITH PEDAL DESCENDING TO FLOORBOARD. DEALER STATES THAT PEDAL'S TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR IS NORMAL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 1, 2002, crash
LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND CAR JUMP TO THE LEFT, TRIED TO CONTROL THE CAR, BUT LOST CONTROL AND MOVED OUT FROM HWY
Seats, Aug 1, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY DRIVER'S POWER SIDE SEAT WILL MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 31, 2002
VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2002
THE REAR DISC BRAKES CUT GROOVES INTO ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES. THE BRAKES WOBBLE AND PULSATE. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 30, 2002
WHILE DRIVING APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, AND ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 29, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, TRIED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND COAST TO A STOP. DEALER STATED THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK
Suspension, Jul 25, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE WANDERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. MAINLY AT SPEEDS OF 65MPH AND ABOVE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION.*JB
Air bags, Jul 25, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*JB
Structure, Jul 23, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THE DOOR LOCK MOTOR WAS REPLACED.*JB