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.
Suspension, Jul 22, 2002
VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK IN REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR PULLING TO LEFT. AS SPEED INCREASES PULLING BECOMES MORE SEVERE. FRONT TIRES WERE CHANGED WITH ADDITIONAL TO FRONT ALIGNMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 16, 2002
HIGH IDLE SPEED ON COLD ENGINE, FIRST SHIFT INTO DRIVE IS VERY HARSH .*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING THORTTLE GOT STUCK AND CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Tires, Jul 12, 2002, crash
THE CAMRY SE MODEL EQUIPPED WITH SPORT TIRES(BRIDGESTONE TURANZA IN THIS CASE) WILL NOT FUNCTION IN ANY LEVEL OF SNOWFALL. I HAVE HAD EASILY OVER 10 INCIDENTS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE...MORE INCIDENTS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET STARTED IN RIDICULOUSLY LIGHT SNOW CONDITIONS. I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR-ENDED A CAR WHILE DOING 10 MPH BECAUSE I COMPLETELY LOST ANY CAPABILITY OF STOPPING. I HAVE HAD 5 OTHER PEOPLE DRIVE THE CAR AND EVERY ONE OF THEM COULD NOT BELIEVE THE LACK OF TRACTION. MY INSURANCE AGENT OWNS A CAMRY LE WITH COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TIRES AND CLAIMS THE CAR IS EXCELLENT IN THE SNOW. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS...BULL!!! ...THE DEALER WHERE I TAKE THIS CAR FOR SERVICE SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN REGARD TO THIS SE SITUATION BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S A MANUFACTURER / TIRE ISSUE. THEY TELL YOU TO CALL TOYOTA ONLY TO HAVE CORPORATE TELL YOU TO GET LOST. I FEEL THAT YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS NOW!...THERE ARE MANY MANY SE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM .. IT IS DANGEROUS! SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED! ...I NOW HAVE 2 CHOICES ...SPEND 500.00 ON NEW TIRES SO MY FAMILY CAN BE SAFE OR TRADE THIS IN AND TAKE A HUGE MONETARY HIT. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT REQUIRED TO TEST THIS CAR WITH THESE TIRES IN SNOW CONDITIONS BEFORE PUTTING PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY? THEIR SERVICE PEOPLE ADMIT THAT THESE TIRES ARE TOO HARD AND THE CAR IS TOO LIGHT ....A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED TO HAVE TOYOTA REPLACE THESE TIRES NOW!*AK
Suspension, Jul 12, 2002
CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE AND IT WAS EXPERIENCING A SLIGHT PULL TO THE LEFT. DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE, THE SLIGHT PULL IS VERY PRONOUNCED. THE DEGREE OF PULL REQUIRES A SIGNIFICANT RIGHT TURN TORQUE ON THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT TRACK. VEHICLE ALIGHNMENT WAS CHECKED AND WERE FOUND TO BE OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT A STRONG PULL TO THE LEFT. ALL ATTEMPTS TO PINPOINT THE CAUSE HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.*JG
Vehicle speed control, Jul 9, 2002
AT A STOP WITH BRAKES APPLIED VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. ENGINE RACED AND RPM'S WENT UP TO 6000. CONSUMER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK
Seats, Jul 9, 2002
DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT MOVES FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE OR TAKING OFF. CONSUMER FEARS THAT IN AN ACCIDENT SEAT WILL COME COMPLETELY OUT.*AK THE DRIVER SEAT PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORSE AND THE CONSUMER HAS FILED A CLAIM WITH THE DEALER. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 8, 2002
TWO DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAMRY, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK. AT FIRST, IT WAS A SLIGHT SOUND BUT GRADUALLY BECAME VERY LOUD TO THE POINT THAT IT IS SCARY TO DRIVE THE CAR. TODAY, EXACTLY ABOUT A MONTH SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE NOISE IS UNBAREABLE. IT IS EXTREMELY LOUD AND IT HAPPEN EVERYTIME I PRESS THE BREAK PEDAL,THE BRAKES WAS ALSO VERY HARD TO BRAKE. I HAVE TO PRESS REALLY HARD TO GET IT TO WORK. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOYOTA REGIONAL OFFICE. THEY DIDN'T HELP AT ALL BUT JUST BLAMING THE GOVERNMENT ON THE NEW BRAKE REGULATION. I AM VERY STRESSED OUT ABOUT THIS. PLEASE HELP.*AK
Suspension, Jul 5, 2002
LOUD METTALIC RATTLING NOISE OCCURS AT HIGH SPEED (70+MPH), OR WHEN DRIVING IN WINDY CONDITIONS AT SLOWER SPEEDS. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNDER CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO DUPLICATE NOISE (SLOWER SPEEDS WHEN WINDY, OR HIGHER SPEEDS ANYTIME).*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2002
ROTTEN EGG SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE CAB SINCE I LEASED IT , BEEN IN SHOP 5 TIMES THEY ASKED ME TO DO THINGS LIKE PUT BLUE PLANET GAS IN IT AND DRIVE IT FOR ALONG TIME NONE OF THIS SEEM TO WORK LAST TIME WAS THEY SWAPED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND CONVERTERS FROM ANOTHER 2002 CAMRY AND THE GAS SMELL IS STILL THERE. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING..THE SMELL IS TO THE POINT WHERE IT MAKES MY DAUGHTER AND I HAVE HEADACHES. AT ONE POINT I HAD TOYOTA TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME....IM NOT SURE IF MY CAR HAS A DEFECT DUE TO SOME OTHER REASON IT SEEMS FUNNY TO ME THAT THEY JUST DONT KNOW WHATS WRONG WITH THIS CAR.THERE IS ALSO A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STERRING THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL TOO? NOT SURE ABOUT WHATS GOING ON .....AND THOUGHT SOMEONE ELSE LIKE YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT. THANKS TAMMY COLE. *AK
Suspension, Jun 25, 2002
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT AT ANY SPEED, MORE AS SPEED INCREASES. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE, STATED THAT WAS HOW VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED.*AK
Tires, Jun 25, 2002
THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE SPLIT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. (CONTINENTAL TIRE P205/65R15) *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jun 18, 2002
A STRANGE ODOR WAS COMING INTO CAB OF VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER STATED IT WAS CARBON MONOXIDE. CONSUMER STATED THAT SUNROOF WAS VACUUMING FUMES BACK INTO VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 18, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2002
DEALER REPLACED REAR WHEEL DISC AND PADS BECAUSE VEHICLE WOULD SQUEAK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Power train, Jun 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, PASSENGER LIGHTLY TOUCHED SHIFT LEVER AS SHE TURNED ON AIR CONDITIONER, IT SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES, DEALER STATED THIS WAS THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. *AK THESE EVENTS WERE CAUSED BY INADVERTENT BRUSH OF THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE WHEN REACHING ACROSS. CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT A VERY LIGHT TAP TO THE GEAR SHIFT WHILE IN "D" CAUSES IT TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND INSTANTLY DECELERATE. *JG
Vehicle speed control, Jun 14, 2002, crash
I WAS BACKING OUT AND TURNING 90 DEGREES FROM A PARKING SPACE AT MY APARTMENT WHEN THE ENGINE IN MY 2002 CAMRY BEGAN TO SURGE. I COULD NOT STOP MY CAMRY BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, AND IT BACKED INTO A GMC SOMONA PICKUP TRUCK.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 12, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE'S A PULSATING FEELING IN VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE GOING TO RELEASE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Suspension, Jun 12, 2002
CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT, TOOK IN CAR TODAY AND TOLD THEM TO ADJUST ALIGNMENT AND HAVE OIL CHANGED, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED BACK AND SAID THEIR WAS A MANUFACTURE RECALL AND THE CAR HAD TO STAY OVERNIGHT. IF IT HAD A RECALL NO NOTICE WAS SENT OUT THIS IS WHAT I'M UPSET ABOUT. CONSUMERS ARE SOPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED IF THERE IS A RECALL NOT FIND OUT AFTER THEY DAMAGE OTHER COMPONENTS AND FIND OUT WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGES.*AK
Suspension, Jun 11, 2002
VEHICLE PULLED TO LEFT WHILE DRIVING, THE FASTER IT WENT THE MORE IT PULLED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS , AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE FOUND, AND THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. *AK *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2002
EXHAUST SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TO GROUND AND MAY CAUSES A POTENTIAL FIRE, MAKING CONTACT WITH DEBRIS. DEALER AND MANFUCTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK *YH
Steering, Jun 7, 2002
WHEN BRAKING STEERING WHEEL WILL JUMP AND WILL PULL VEHICLE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Suspension, Jun 7, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE DOES NOT TRACK RIGHT, WILL DRIFT TO LEFT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DRIVER MUST MAKE A SLIGHT CORRECTION IN STEERING WHEEL TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM DRIFTING LEFT. *YH
Power train, Jun 5, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD BY ITSELF, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT IT DID NOT WORK, CONSUMER PULLED THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO REVERSE AND THEN THE PARK POSITION IT STILL DID NOT MOVE FOWARD UNTILTHE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, ON THE SECOND OCCASION THE VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL IT HIT A PARK CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.*YD