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, Jun 24, 2012
BAD THREADS ON ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE LEAKING COOLANT. MECHANIC DETERMINED HEAD GASKET BAD. TOYOTA CERTIFIED MECHANIC TORE APART ENGINE AND ON REASSEMBLY FOUND THE THREADS ON THE LOWER ENGINE BLOCK WERE STRIPPED AND THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. NEW ENGINE/REBUILD REQUIRED AT $5200. FAILURE CAUSED BY FAULTY THREADS/ENGINE BLOCK AT MANUFACTURING END. SIMPLY DRIVING VEHICLE CAUSES THREADS TO DISINTEGRATE AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
Air bags, May 31, 2012
I PURCHASE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN AUGUST 2003 FROM REINHART TOYOTA IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. THE VEHICLE WAS CERTIFIED USED WITH ONLY ABOUT 19000 ON THE ODOMETER. BECAUSE IT WAS CERTIFIED USED I ASSUMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REVIEWED TO ENSURE THAT IT HAD ALL OF ITS PARTS AND THEY OPERATED PROPERLY. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS WITHOUT ANY MAJOR ISSUES. ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE GOT HOT BUT I DID NOT TAKE IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THAT TIME. UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB HOWARD TOYOTA IN EDMOND, OKLAHOMA TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE (WHICH WAS MY THIRD TIME REPLACING IT) DURING THIS TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THE TECHNICIAN CHECK OUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN CONDUCTED THEIR REVIEW THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THEY INSTALLED RESISTORS TO KEEP THE AIRBAG LIGHT FROM COMING ON TO WARNING ME ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS GAVE ME A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY BY INTENTIONALLY FALSIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO EARN A PROFIT, THEREFORE ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. IF THE LIGHT WOULD HAVE COME ON BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE ASKED ABOUT IT BUT IT DID NOT. IF THEY SELL A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE AND THEY MENTION THAT IT HAS DUAL-SIDE AIRBAGS, THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE COMPANY LYING TO THEM ABOUT IT. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT NINE YEARS WITH THE ASSUMPTION I HAD DUAL AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE TO RECENTLY FIND OUT THAT I BEEN LIED TO FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS. NOW, I AM BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED DURING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS UNFAIR HAVE THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSES MISTAKE. THEY ARE NOW REFUSING TO CORRECT THE MISTAKE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 27, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN A BURNING SMELL EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Tires, Mar 30, 2012
I BOUGHT 4 NEW PIRELLI CINTURATO P5 TIRES FOR MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN FEBRUARY OF 2010 FROM DISCOUNT TIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT THESE TIRES THEY EASILY LAST FOR 85,000 MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE THEM. SINCE THEN I GONE BACK TO DISCOUNT TIRE TO HAVE THEM REGULARLY ROTATED AND BALANCED. LAST TIRE ROTATION WAS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2011. WHEN I WENT TO GET MY TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AGAIN ON 3-23-2012, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO OF THE TIRES ARE ALREADY WORN OUT AND OTHER TWO ARE CLOSE TO GETTING WORN OUT AND I WOULD BE BETTER OFF TO GET NEW TIRES TO KEEP ME SAFE WHILE DRIVING. I INFORMED THE SALES PERSONNEL THAT THESE TIRES ARE JUST TWO YEARS OLD AND WITH LESS THAN 27,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASED. HE MENTIONED TO ME THAT TIRES MANY A TIMES DO NOT GIVE THE MILEAGE THEY ARE RATED FOR. IN MY CASE, I GOT LESS THAN 1/3RD OF THE RATED MILEAGE. WITH MY DRIVING PATTERN (12,000 MILES/YEAR), I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THESE TIRES TO LAST FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS AS I TAKE GOOD CARE (ROTATING, BALANCING, AND ALIGNMENT) OF THEM. WITH MY DRIVING PATTERN (12,000 MILES/YEAR), I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THESE TIRES TO LAST FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS AS I TAKE GOOD CARE (ROTATING, BALANCING, AND ALIGNMENT) OF THEM. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Feb 12, 2012
IN A PARKING LOT, PICKING UP A FRIEND. WENT TO DRIVE HER HOME. AS I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, IT SUDDENLY FLOORED ITSELF, ENGINE ROARED, AND THE CAR BEING IN DRIVE, LURCHED FORWARD TOWARDS A ROW OF PARKED CARS. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, BUT THE CAR THEN LURCHED BACKWARDS..... QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND KILLED THE ENGINE. ASKED MY FRIEND TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. STARTED THE ENGINE, WHICH CONTINUED TO ROAR AR HIGH RPM. I THEN PUMPED THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES, AND THE RAR AND RPM'S SUBSIDED. I MOTIONED TO MY FRIEND TO GET IN, AND SLOWLY DROVE HOME. IMMEDIATELY CALLED A NEABY TOYOTA DEALER. ARRANGEMENT WERE MADE AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY, FEB. 6, 2012 ( I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.) [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 6, 2012
RADIATOR/OIL COOLER COPPER NIPPLE DISINTEGRATED CAUSING LOSS OF OIL. PART THAT FAILED IS ORIGINAL PART OF VEHICLE. THE NUT HOLDING THE NIPPLE RUSTED AND CRUMBLED CAUSING THE OIL COOLER HOSE TO SEPARATE FROM THE OIL COOLER. CAR HAS NEVER HAD FRONT END OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 30, 2012
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND HAVE MAJOR DAMAGE TO CYLINDER BLOCK WITH STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS. COST IS APPROX $4700 TO REPAIR. I TALKED TO EXECUTIVE OFFICES AT TOYOTA THEY WILL NOT HELP. ALSO HAS CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE. PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.CAMRYFORUMS.COM/FORUM/GENERAL-TECH-8/2002-STRIPPED-HEAD-BOLTS-4585/ AND CHECK OUT THE "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB2740. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.
Steering, Jan 19, 2012
I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY 3 YEARS AGO AT 115,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 205,000 AS OF THE DATE OF THIS LETTER. LAST SPRING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN COLD WEATHER AND THERE WAS A SQEAKING NOISE BEHIND OR AROUND MY STEERING WHEEL SO I REPLACED THE PUMP. IT WARMED UP, SO I COULDN'T TEST THE RESULT. THIS WINTER, THE PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE AND UNSAFE, SO IT WASN'T THAT. AFTER NEARLY HITTING A CAR BECAUSE I COULD HARDLY COME OUT OF MY TURN, I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 1/17/12. THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY WOULD START BY REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT FOR $510, BUT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE IT. I ASKED 5 OTHER MECHANICS WHO SAID THAT IT CAN'T BE THAT IF IT ONLY OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER, SO I TOLD THEM NOT TO DO ANYTHING. I'M BRINGING IT BACK TO MY TOWN TO HAVE OTHERS LOOK AT IT AND FIX IT. MOST OF THEM FEEL IT IS THE RACK, OR, JUST GOO'D UP POWER STEERING FLUID, WHICH THEY WILL START WITH, AT A COST OF ONLY $50 TO DRAIN AND REFILL. I HAVE HAD RACK QUOTES OF $880. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND I PLAN TO KEEP IT FOR 500,000 MILES. *TT
Air bags, Dec 5, 2011, crash
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON A FRONTAL CRASH THAT PUSHED DASH INTO MY KNEES AND ENGINE BACK ABOUT 1 FT. I DON'T THINK I WAS INJURED BECAUSE I BRACED THE IMPACT. JUST WHIPLASH AND SORENESS IN ARMS AND KNEES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING STORED AT THE INSURANCE COMPANY LOT BUT WILL BE JUNKED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. *TR
Steering, Nov 30, 2011
STEERING BECAME HARD AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO A STRAIGHT POSITION. THIS RESULTED IN A NEAR PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 1, 2011
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS MECHANIC WANTED TO CHARGE HIM AN ADDITIONAL $3,450 TO PERFORM VALVE WORK AND OTHER REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING TIME, A PLUME OF EXHAUST SMOKE COULD VISIBLY BE SEEN. *JB
Steering, Sep 16, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP WHERE THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,398. UPDATED 10/27/11*LJ UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 8, 2011
THREE HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE HAVE STRIPPED AND PULLED OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE LARGEST CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS A HEAD GASKET FAILURE; THIS ALSO CAUSED COOLANT LOSS AND OVERHEATING, WHICH IN TURN RUINED MY RADIATOR. WHEN MY MECHANIC OPENED UP THE ENGINE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS, THESE FAULTY BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THEM OUT BY HAND WITHOUT NEEDING WRENCHES/TOOLS. THE TOTAL COST OF THE FIX, WHICH INCLUDED DRILLING OUT AND RETAPPING THE BOLT HOLES, REPAIRING/RESURFACING HEADS, INSTALLING NEW HEAD GASKETS AND INSTALLING A NEW RADIATOR EXCEEDED $3500; THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WAS BUYING A NEW/RECONDITIONED ENGINE FOR $7000+. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THIS LINE OF CARS HAS DEFECTIVE HEAD BOLTS. MY 2002 CAMRY XLE HAD ABOUT 98,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME, WHICH IS NOT A LOT BY TOYOTA STANDARDS. WHILE SEARCHING INTERNET FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES (ESPECIALLY CAMRYS FROM 2002 TO 2005) THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT BOLTS FAIL ON THEIR ENGINES, LEADING TO BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 7, 2011
I WAS LOSING COOLANT IN MY SYSTEM SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THE HEAD BOLTS ON MY ENGINE HAD BECOME STRIPPED AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE PUT IN. I PAID FOR THAT REPAIR AND NOW TWO YEARS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT STRIPPED THREADS ARE VERY COMMON IN 2002-2008 CAMRYS. IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS NOT BEING ARRANGED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2011
AFTER WAITING IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD OUTLET FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, MY TOYOTA CAMRY'S ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO VERY HIGH RPMS. ONLY MY QUICK REACTION TO APPLY THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD KEPT US FROM HITTING THE CAR AHEAD. THE PASSENGER REACTED BY PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION STOPPED THE ENGINE. IT RESTARTED NORMALLY AND SEEMED TO BE FINE.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE STRIPPING AND THE FAILURE WAS A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Visibility, Structure, Aug 17, 2011
2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID FLOOR BECAME WET DUE TO ROOF DRAIN HOSES BECOMING DISCONNECTED FROM DRAIN PAN. CONSUMER FEELS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER ALSO FOUND A TSB ISSUED IN APRIL 2011. *KB
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2011, crash
FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS OF ITS LIFE, THE CAMRY HAD A STALLING PROBLEM. IT WOULD RIDE OK FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS IT WOULD STALL OUT FREQUENTLY. ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE. STALLING OCCURRED MOSTLY WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT AFTER COMING OFF A HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD START AGAIN, AND THEN STALL REPEATEDLY AT EVERY RED LIGHT OR OTHER EVENT THAT INVOLVED SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING. AFTER ENDURING THE STALLING PROBLEM FOR MANY MONTHS, ON 6/19/09 WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR MECHANIC. THEY SAID THE STALLING MIGHT BE CAUSED BY A STICKING VALVE OR THE IDLE CONTROL MOTOR, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN 8/20/09 AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, WHICH SEEMED TO HELP. BY SPRING 2010 THE PROBLEM WAS BACK. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC 5/21/10 AND THIS TIME THEY CLEANED OUT EGR ASSEMBLY AND CHECKED ALL VACUUM LINES. CAR STILL STALLED SO 6/26/10 WE TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING PROBLEM AND SAID THAT NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED, WE SHOULD BRING IT DIRECTLY TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER. ON 7/20/10, OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE CAMRY. AS BEFORE, WHEN HE WAS DRIVING AT A HIGHER, STEADIER SPEED, THE CAR WAS OK. WHEN HE SLOWED DOWN TO PARK IN A PARKING GARAGE, THE STALLING PROBLEM RECURRED. TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO RESTART, HE STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE ENGINE ENGAGED. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SLAMMED INTO A WALL INSIDE THE PARKING GARAGE. IT WAS TOTALED. WE BELIEVE THERE WAS A FUNDAMENTAL MANUFACTURING FLAW IN OUR CAMRY THAT RESULTED IN THE REPEATED STALLING. WE NOTE OTHER TOYOTA PRODUCTS BEING RECALLED FOR STALLING PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS RECALLS FOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA BUT THEY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO WITHOUT EXAMINING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY, BUT BY THAT TIME THE CAR HAD BEEN SENT TO A SALVAGE YARD.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 22, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN 2008 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 08-29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR TWO SEPERATE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ABNORMAL ACCELERATION. UPDATED 06/15/2012 *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2011
2002 CAMRY LE WITH 153,000 SUFFERED FAILURE OF CATALYST AND CHARCOAL CANISTER AT TIME OF STATE INSPECTION. THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE OF THE CATALYST SINCE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. DEALER SAID THAT CATALYST IS ONLY WARRANTIED FOR ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF INSTALLATION AND GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF MORE THAN $1700 TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. CONTACT WITH TOYOTA CONCERNING THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WAS A COMPLETE AND TOTAL WASTE OF TIME. VEHICLE TAKEN TO PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED REPAIRS WITH CONFORMING NON OEM PARTS CARRYING BETTER WARRANTIES AT HALF THE PRICE QUOTED BY DEALER. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 7, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING COMPANY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2011
IT IS 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH 2.4L 2AZ-FE ENGINE. IT HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS DRIVEN. ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BANG AND STALLED. DID NOT STARTED AFTER CRANKING IT. BEFORE TRIP THERE WAS NOTICEABLE STEAM OUT OF EXHAUST. AFTER CONSIDERING HEAD GASKET FAILURE THERE WAS ATTEMPT TO REPLACE THE GASKET. DURING REPAIR WAS FOUND THAT SEVERAL HEAD BOLTS WERE LOOSE DUE TO STRIPING FROM THEIR SITS. AFTER DIGGING IN GOOGLE IT WAS FOUND THAT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS ENGINES. IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN FLOW. ALL 2AZ-FE ENGINES ARE PRONE TO THIS BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE HEAT DISPERSION AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONSE IS THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLOW AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. ALL ENGINES FROM 2002 ARE PRONE TO IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 29, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED MINOR CHEST INJURES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE CRASH SITE AS THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL TICKING AND RATTLING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE WHO WAS UNABLE O LOCATE OR DUPLICATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WOULD NOT ASSIST, STATING THAT NO FAILURES WERE DISCOVERED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Electrical system, Jun 26, 2011
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALL GAUGES , LIGHTS WENT DEAD REPLACING OR TAKING OUT THE FUSE WHICH WAS STILL GOOD , TURNS IT BACK ON BUT THEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF THE DASH GOES OUT AGAIN. *TR