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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD GO FURTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND BOTH FRONT SPEED SENSORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,869.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 10, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS LOW AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND ADDED MORE COOLANT TO THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES AFTER BEING REPAIRED THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE REPAIRING THE ENGINE, THE MECHANICED NOTICED THE BOLTS WHICH MOUNTED THE ENGINE WERE STRIPPED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY MOUNTED OUT OF POSITION, PREVENTING THE ENGINE COOLANT FROM PROPERLY ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THIS FAILURE, THE ENGINE RAN AT A LOW TEMPERATURE AND THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Power train, Jun 9, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE HAD TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE PEDAL UP IN ORDER TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 8, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND A SUDDEN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS A RESULT TO CRASHING INTO A BUILDING. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE AND TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BODY DAMAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,600.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY BACK IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR FROM A PRIVATE AUTO SELLER. ON MAY 20TH WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN IN NEUTRAL, MY RPM GAGE ALL OF A SUDDEN SURGED. I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TWICE TO SEE IF IT WAS STUCK SINCE I'D HEARD NEWS REPORTS THAT THIS WAS REPORTEDLY THE ISSUE ACCORDING TO TOYOTA WHEN OTHER INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED, BUT I THOUGHT THEY WERE WITH THE NEWER MODELS. NONETHELESS, WHEN I RELEASED THE PEDAL, THE GAGE CONTINUED SURGING. THANK GOODNESS I WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN THE ACCELERATION STARTED BECAUSE THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE AREA WHO WERE WAITING TO CATCH THEIR SCHOOL BUS. I DECIDED TO TURN OFF MY VEHICLE AND SAT FOR ABOUT TEN SECONDS, STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT WAS STILL SURGING FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER THREE SECONDS, THEN FINALLY STOPPED AND WENT BACK TO NORMAL. AT THAT POINT, I TURNED BACK AROUND AND PARKED THE CAR AT MY HOME. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THAT FOLLOWING TUESDAY I STOPPED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS AND EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE PARTS WORKER WHAT HAPPENED. HIS EXPLANATION WAS IT'S THE FLOOR MAT GETTING STUCK CAUSING THE ACCELERATION AND THAT I NEED TO PROVIDE MY VIN NUMBER FOR THEM TO LOOK IT UP. FIRST OF ALL, THIS WAS NOT A FLOOR MAT ISSUE. IF THAT WAS THE CASE THEN WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, IT SHOULD'VE COME UNSTUCK. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO GO THE ROUTE THAT'S GOING TO BE THE LEAST EXPENSIVE INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I CAME ACROSS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN MEMO FROM AUGUST 2002 THAT ADDRESSED THE ACCELERATION ISSUE STATING THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRONICS GLITCH. I E-MAILED TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION THEY OFFERED WAS.....NOTHING. APPARENTLY THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS DONE. DUE TO THE DANGEROUS NATURE OF THESE INCIDENTS, REPAIRS SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC AND NOT AT THE COST OF THE CONSUMER! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 3, 2011
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE UPON HITTING THE BRAKE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO JUMP WHILE STILL MOVING FORWARD. IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS. *TR
Air bags, Jun 3, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND ALL THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AN INSURANCE LOT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 27, 2011
27 MAY 2011 1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: THE CAR BATTERY, INCORRECTLY PLACE DIRECTLY OVER THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NORMALLY LEAKED WATER AND ACID ONTO THE WIRING HARNESS OPENING THE CIRCUIT AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO GO ON AND THE CAR SAFETY AIR BAGS TO BE DISABLED. THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR MAYBE MOVED SO THAT IT IS NOT UNDER THE CAR BATTERY OR THE SENSOR COULD BE SHIELDED, SUCH AS A SPLASH GUARD. 2. THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, IT CONSEQUENCES: THIS IS A 2002 OR 8 YEAR OLD CAR; HOWEVER, I WOULD ESTIMATE THIS FAILURE COULD OCCUR WITHIN 6 MONTHS TO FOUR YEARS. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD ALWAYS FAIL TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT; MAKING THE SAFETY SYSTEM INOPERABLE. 3. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED; TOYOTA WANTED $3,800 DOLLARS AT FIRST. THE TWO WIRES TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR COULD HAVE A DISCONNECT, SO THAT ONLY THE TWO WIRES TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR COULD HAVE NEEDED TOO BE REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, May 12, 2011
MY CAR ALARM GOES OFF DURING THE NIGHT AND WILL NOT RESET. THIS HAS HAPPENED PERIODICALLY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 6, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL INTERMITTENTLY, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE SINCE HE KNEW THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 2, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BLUE SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE TAIL PIPE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILDING UP IN THE ENGINE AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN MILEAGE EXTREMELY QUICKLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 18, 2011
ATLANTA, GA, REQUIRES AN EMISSION INSPECTION EACH YEAR. MY 2002 CAMRY XLE HAS PASSED WITH NO PROBLEM IN PAST YEARS. WHEN THE INSPECTION TESTER WAS HOOKED TO THE CAR IT REPORTED "NOT READY" CODES IN ALL TEST CATEGORIES AND THE INSPECTION COULD NOT BE COMPLETED. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULD CLEAR THE COMPUTER AND GET IT TO RESET BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE CODES WOULD START TO DROP OFF TO "NOT READY" AGAIN. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO SET LONG ENOUGH TO COMPLETE THE INSPECTION THAT PASSED PROPERLY AND THEN THE CODES BEGAN TO DROP OFF AGAIN. CALLS TO TOYOTA HAVE RECEIVED NO INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. HE PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE HEAD BOLT WAS STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 08/05/11*LJ UPDATED 08/15/11
Steering, Apr 1, 2011
STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DID NOT RETURN TO CENTER WHEN RELEASED. CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID IT WAS OK. NO POWER STEERING LEAKS. TOOK CAR TO HAVE PROBLEM EVALUATED. MECHANIC SAID THAT STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS WERE WORN AND RUSTED AND BINDING UP. ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. IF ALLOWED TO GO TOO LONG STEERING COULD LOCK UP COMPLETELY OR SHAFT COULD SHEAR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. REPAIR WILL COST $900 SINCE ENTIRE SHAFT MUST BE REPLACED AND PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE AND WAS SHOCKED TO KNOW THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING SHAFT LEFT IT EXPOSED TO ROAD SPRAY AND SUBSEQUENT CORROSION DAMAGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND GAVE NO WARNING AS TO THE IMPENDING FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN EVEN WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2011
TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I ACCELERATED TO 60 OR 65 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN VIBRATING BADLY AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. ON SLOWING DOWN THE SHAKING LESSENED BUT CONTINUED AND THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED VIBRATING. ON BRINGING THE CAR TO THE SHOP THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD FAILED. ON REPLACING THE MOUNTS ONE OF THEM HAD SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES.
Steering, Mar 27, 2011
I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY 70,000 MI AND WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY THE STEERING FROZE AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. SINCE THAT DAY THE STEERING HAS BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF AND HARD TO STEER. AFTER CHECKING THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVELS AND FOUND IT TO BE NORMAL I HAVE MADE AN APPT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER READING THESE COMPLAINTS I FEEL IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PART ITSELF AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE. *TR
Equipment, Mar 17, 2011
I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY SUNROOF MADE BY WEBASTO. THE SERIAL NUMBER OF MY SUNROOF IS BETWEEN THE RANGE OF 6000000 TO 6396298. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPLACED IF THAT IS THE CASE, PLEASE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 23, 2011
IN JULY 2010, I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED TWO LANE HIGHWAY, ACCELERATING AS I APPROACHED A GRADE, WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR STALLED. THERE WAS A GROUP OF BICYCLISTS ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, AND MANAGED WITH DIFFICULTY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I COULD RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT THE CEL REMAINED ON, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR IN ANY GEAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE ERROR CODE P1121 WAS FOUND. THE ECU WAS REPLACED, AND I WAS ASSURED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COST ME SEVERAL SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, AND IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR WORSE. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2011, I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN ONCE AGAIN THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE CEL LIT UP. THIS TIME, THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CHANGED GEARS AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR MANY TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE. FINALLY, THE CAR MOVED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT THE SHORT DISTANCE HOME. AFTER CALLING THE DEALERSHIP, WHO AGREED THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL CHECKED, IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE SAME CODE P1121 WAS READ. ALL COMPONENTS INDICATED BY THIS CODE WERE CHECKED AND DEEMED OKAY. AFTER THE DEALER CONTACTED TOYOTA, THE CAR WAS ALSO CHECKED FOR GROUNDING AND VOLTAGE ISSUES. AGAIN, EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OKAY. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT AND DROVE THE CAR, TRYING UNSUCCESSFULLY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT REMAINS THERE TODAY WHILE WE DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT. THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA ARE NOT OFFERING ANY SOLUTIONS. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET CONVINCES ME THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT COSTS. A PRICE CANNOT BE PUT ON LIFE OR PEACE OF MIND. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF *TR REPAIRS ATTACHED.. UPDATED 01/05/2012 *LN *TR
Steering, Feb 17, 2011
THE STEERING FAILED, TOO HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT WITH U- JOINTS. THEY SAID IT IS COMMON IN 2002 CAMRY. *TR
Steering, Feb 11, 2011
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAPPENED A LOT IN THIS MODEL. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS HAPPENS TOO OFTEN TO THE 2002 CAMRY. THE STEERING COLUMN IS A TWO PIECE ROD THAT COULD TO CATASTROPHIC STEERING LOSS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME WAS THAT THEY HAD ISSUED A SERVICE CALL THAT ONLY INCLUDED GREASING THE SHAFT. *TR
Power train, Jan 20, 2011
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY. INITIALLY HARD-SHIFTING, THEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS. MILES LATER WHILE CRUISING ON LEVEL GROUND ON THE FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTED (FELT LIKE IT WENT TO NEUTRAL) AND I NEEDED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED AND RE-STARTED CAR. USED A MERGING RAMP TO SAFELY MERGE BACK INTO TRAFFIC. TOYOTA DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LIKE "CHOCOLATE" AND THERE WERE CHUNKS OF METAL IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN. NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ($3300-$4800). CAR WAS LAST SERVICED AT ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER (WONDRIES IN ALHAMBRA, CA) 14,000 MILES AGO AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT THAT TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2011, fire
ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2010, AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 PM, (AZ-GMT) I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SE 4-DR IN A ROAD CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT 15 MILES PER HOUR. I CAME TO A STOP AT A RED SIGNAL LIGHT WHEN I SMELLED THE ODOR OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I STARTED CHECKING THE DASHBOARD FOR ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON, WHICH THERE WERE NONE LIT. A/C AND HEATER SWITCHES WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. I STARTED LOOKING AROUND THE INTERIOR TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS BURNING. AS I WAS CHECKING THE BACK SEAT, I SAW BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE REAR BOTTOM OF THE CAR, THINKING THAT IT WAS SOMETHING BURNING IN THE TRUNK. I USED THE TRUNK LEVER TO OPEN IT, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT NOTHING WAS BURNING THERE, AND WENT BACK TO THE DRIVERS DOOR. I THEN NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RAN A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM IT. I DIALED 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE. I WAS LESS THAN A HALF MILE FROM HOME AND CALLED MY HUSBAND, WHO RESPONDED IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WITH A LARGE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HE DID NOT OPEN THE HOOD, BUT TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES FROM THE FRONT END, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY INTO THE FRONT SEAT AREA BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TOYOTA AS IT WAS IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION AND SERVICED REGULARLY. PREVIOUSLY THAT DAY, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES WITHOUT ANY ISSUES OR PROBLEMS. JUST BEFORE THE FIRE, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES ON SURFACE STREETS AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR WAS RUNNING JUST FINE, AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS LIKE A LOSS OF POWER, AND NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD COME ON AT ALL. I WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR. MY MOTHER BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2002 IN MESA, AZ FROM SUPERSTITION SPRINGS TOYOTA. THE CAR WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 3, 2011
ON NOV. 11, 2010 WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 CAMRY, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE ACCELERATE, NOT BRAKES FUNCTION AT THAT TIME THEN I TOOK A SLOPE WERE VEHICLE FINALLY STOP AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. CALL THE AUTO-DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT TO CHECK FAILURE. MEANWHILE ONLY VEHICLE PROBLEM WAS THE REVOLUTIONS (RPM), TOO LOW ON NOV. 24, 2010 TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE AUTO-DEALER WERE THE MECHANIC STATED, FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE. REPLACEMENT BY A NEW THROTTLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 27, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR COSMETIC DAMAGES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 22, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.