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2002 Toyota Camry Solara Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Camry Solara, most often about the speed control (23% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles). It is 7th of 10 Camry Solara model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2002 Toyota Camry Solara problems
Speed control
14 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry Solara. After shifting into reverse in an attempt to back into her driveway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated backward at approximately 5 MPH without driver intent. She depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle would not respond. She then shifted into neutral and the vehicle came…
While sitting at a red light with the air conditioner on the car surged forward. This has happened several times, although no injuries or wrecks have stemmed from any of this incidents. Also when I put the care in drive from reverse sometimes the car surges forward without applying pressure to the accelerator.
Air bags
12 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry Solara. While at a red light, a second vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact struck the preceding vehicle. The contact's vehicle sustained front end damage, but the air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported and a police report was…
While driving 40 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. As a result, passenger sustained a broken sternum.
Seat belts
8 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
On my 2002 Toyota solara convertible the front seat belts do not retract. I was told by a Toyota service manager that the seat belt retractor springs have weakened and need to be replaced. I called the Toyota customer experience center and they say because the car is no longer under warranty that I am responsible for…
Passenger side seat belt does not retract...the seatbelt light stays on whether or not someone is sitting in the seat. I had the light diagnosed for $91 but they said that there was actually a problem with the airbag system. Regardless, the seatbelt still does not retract.
Brakes
7 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Entering a fast food restaurant drive through lane, the brakes were applied. Instead of stopping the vehicle accelerated and struck the car in front. Front end damage to my car: 2002 Toyota Camry Solara.
In my 2002 Toyota solara the hydraulic power booster actually pushes back the brake pedal when the driver accelerates. The gas pedal overrides the brakes and will push the drivers foot off of the pedal if pressed at the same time. In real world scenarios, such as a driver accelerating to pass a vehicle and then…
Engine
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then the engine overheated. He took the vehicle to a local repair facility. The technician concluded that the engine needed to be replaced because there was leakage from the…
Tl 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…
Transmission
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I was in "reverse" and backed into a concrete pole in my office parking garage. I applied the brakes to stop the vehicle. The car jumped into "drive," and rapidly accelerated, and would not respond to my efforts to brake. I then hit a concrete pole head on, which totaled my vehicle. On a prior occasion that happened…
At just over 17,000 miles on the spedometer, the check engine light illuminated. I took it to my dealership, which informed me that the problem was a shift solenoid. Upon replacing the shift solenoid, the check engine light continued to illuminate, and I was told that the problem may be the torque converter on the…
Seats
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: front assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry Solara. On april 14, 2008, the front driver side seat adjuster failed to function properly. Both the dealer and manufacturer informed the contact that her warranty does not cover that type of failure. She currently has to use pillows to reach both the accelerator and brake pedals.…
My complaint is the same with case #10224937. The driver seat adjuster failed to function properly. Since this is my wife's car, most of the time she's reaching hard the pedals. I didnt bring my car to the dealership because my warranty is expired. Failure mileage is between 70,000 - 80,000 miles and until now.…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: tread/belt.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Toyota Camry Solara recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine surging
Summary
The petitioner owns a my 2006 toyota camry with a 4-cylinder engine that was purchased new in january 2006. The petitioner also previously owned a my 2005 camry. He alleges that both vehicles exhibited vehicle engine surging, which he described as a short duration (1 to 2 second) increase in engine speed occurring while the accelerator pedal is not depressed. In an initial interview, the petitioner estimated that 6 to 8 surge incidents, of varying severity, occurred in the my 2006 vehicle over the course of 10,000 miles and 7 months of ownership. The petitioner reports that the brake system is effective at overcoming the surge. However, he is concerned about reports filed with NHTSA alleging
Vehicle speed control
Summary
In a letter dated july 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect within the etc system in my 2002 to 2005 toyota and lexus vehicles, or to reopen a prior investigation preliminary evaluation (pe) 04-021.in a letter dated august 18, 2005, mr. Ziprin amended his petition to include allegations of interrelated brake and acceleration problems that allegedly result in inappropriate and uncontrollable vehicle
Throttle control system
Summary
The lexus models were the subject of defect petition (dp) 04-003.twelve odi complaints are duplicative to toyota reports, including the two minor crashes.the v6 equipped solara models have been excluded because they do not contain the subject throttle control system.toyota introduced electronic throttle control (etc) on the subject vehicles beginning in model year (my) 2002.odi opened the investigation to determine if the system could be the cause of complaints alleging the engine speed increased, or failed to decrease, (for a short duration) when the accelerator pedal was not depressed (the alleged defect).during the course of the investigation, odi analyzed agency data and reviewed vehicle
Questions about the 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Camry Solara?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (14 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles); air bags (12 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); seat belts (8 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Camry Solara have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Toyota Camry Solara. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Toyota Camry Solara?
- It is 7th of 10 Camry Solara model years by number of complaints, with 60 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.