KnownCarProblems2002 Toyota Camry Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 953 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Camry, most often about the speed control (30% of complaints, typically around 39,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Camry model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2002 Toyota Camry problems
Speed control
281 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages, cruise control.
While backing out of the driveway, the vehicle surged uncontrollably, as a result the vehicle crashed into a fence. No report of injuries.
Vehicle accelerated upon parking near a stop with foot off accelerator and on brake pedal. Please provide any additional information. Vehicle hit an unoccupied vehicle.
Brakes
165 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages, antilock.
While parking the vehicle, the brakes failed and the vehicle proceeded forward until it hit a building. The frontal air bags did not deploy. The sheriff stated by the position of the wheels he knew the brakes failed. Before the accident, the consumer complained to Toyota about the brake going to the floor when it was…
After having the oil changed and the tires rotated, the consumer drove home, making several stops. When driving in to the garage, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into the consumers home.
Engine
165 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Wife driving 2002 Camry for smock inspection. I am following behind. Camry stalls - engine just dies. Steering is locked. Wife stopped and tried to restart. After ~2mins, car restarted. Continued ~2 miles and engine dies again, steering again locks. Wife able to start again. After car starts, vsc and trac off lights…
I was coming home one day and my check engine light came on. I immediately took my car to the dealer and they told me it was the o2 sensor going bad. I wanted a second opinion so I took my car to another dealer who told me it was the catalytic converter. I was very concern by these two different answers, so I went to…
Air bags
89 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while attempting a turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact crashed into the curb and then a tree. The vehicle rolled over and the front driver and passenger side air bags failed to deploy.…
There was a vibration sound on the passenger side air bag. The local Toyota dealer checked out the vehicle and indicated air bag malfunction problem, and that it may deploy or may not deploy in case of accident. Driving the vehicle is not recommended due to safety issue. Updated 10/10/07
Transmission
68 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly, clutch assembly.
2002 Toyota Camry. Car will not accelerate in temperatures 40 degrees or less. I have spoke with the dealer who says that they have numerous complaints about this issue. I offered to send articles from consumer magazines and they state that they already have been sent info. From at least 10 times different customers.
On thursday, april 27, 2006, my 2002 Toyota Camry had unintended acceleration at the sherton palo alto. When entering he parking lot, the car accelerated with engine racing and crashed through the parking lot barrier. The hotel graciously repaired the barrier at their expense. This incident has not been reported…
Wheels and tires
61 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, hub.
I own a 2002 Camry se, and it came originally equipped with bridgestone turanzas on it. These tires are worthless in the snow and rain. I took my complaint to the Toyota dealer, and they said that the tires were "performance" tires and all they could do was help me get a discount on another set of tires. That is not…
While driving at low speeds or parking in a parking space the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The dealer inspected the vehicle six different times but could not duplicate or correct the problem. See voq 10062883. On one occasion while parking the vehicle surged forward and hit a post (no damage reported). The consumer…
Body and structure
56 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I own a 2002 Camry, the car was purchased new from the dealer. In july 2005, the inside passenger side door handle broke at the point of connection to the door. I had handle replaced by the dealer. November 24, 2004, we were driving Camry, and rear drivers side door handle broke in the same manner as the previous…
Second time in the 8 years that we have owned our 2002 Toyota Camry the chrome plating on the interior door handles are starting to peel again creating a hand cutting hazard. First time they were replaced under warranty. I talked to a service rep at Toyota dealership and he said he has seen many do this. My wife and…
Steering
43 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, steering wheel/handle bar, rack and pinion.
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…
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…
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 recalls
Air bags: side/window
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: If this should occur, there is a possibility that the detached bottom portion may strike the driver causing personal injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: tires
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Incomplete deployment of the front passenger side air bag could occur in the event of a crash.
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
Engine compartment fire
Summary
Odi's data analysis found the fires rates to be consistently low and evenly distributed among six model years and six different engine configurations.odi examined a variety of root causes, those being detonation (resulting in oil pan puncture from connecting rod), starter fires, various fuel related fires, leaking oil filters, wiring issues, improper repairs and brake fluid leaks.none of the issues examined had reports that indicated a trend when normalized for populaton and exposure.see attached report for full details.
Questions about the 2002 Toyota Camry
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Camry?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (281 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); brakes (165 complaints, typically around 17,000 miles); engine (165 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Camry have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 13, 2004 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Toyota Camry?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Camry model year since 2000, with 953 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.