2002 Toyota Camry
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Toyota › Camry › 2002
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2002 Toyota Camry. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
4 recalls name the 2002 Toyota Camry. Newest first.
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.
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.
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.
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.
See attached document for complaint.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 283,000.
Toyota dealer contacted me; said my car will cost $15000 to fix. He said people at Toyota who has my exact car costed $15000 to fix! it’s known in automotive circles this year make model & engine size has this factory defect of the rear head studs stripping out and becoming loose. This causes combustion failure of the head gasket and engine block. The cylinder heads will be warped & cracked. Engine won’t hold coolant! Gauge jumps to H after brief attempt at combustion. Replacing the head g. Cylinder heads or engine block is insufficient due to the factory defect . only a total engine replacement has worked for past owners at $15000 if Toyota dies it. A mechanic said if u can fine like a 2006 lower miles engine & get mechanic to instal maybe $2000, that’s $4000. Bridgetown automotive in my area said at the very minimum in a discounted price it will be $8000. He said only a totally rebuilt engine or a new one put in will work. I’m seeking Toyota to give me a new car that doesn’t have this issue. People posting at blogs said they spent the $2200 to disassemble their engines as the auto places told them it was definitely their head gaskets causing coolant. once opened though, it was found their head gaskets were fine. The issue was , from factory, the head studs had stripped out and were loose. This, according to engine experts is total engine failure. Only replacing everything can fix this.
The components or systems that have failed are (Catalytic Converter, Exhaust Manifold, Air Bag Control Module, Engine including head gasket) My safety is at risk due to catalytic converter not functioning properly producing harmful carbon monoxide that can be smelled through air vents, Air bag control module not functioning which will not able to initiate the deployment of airbag in the event of a wreck/accident could lead to fatality. Engine not functioning properly due to blown head gasket which could lead to overheating amongst other things. Vehicle has been inspected by Dealership. Yes there are warning lights prior to failure (Check engine light)
The contact owned a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the steering wheel had seized up and the vehicle had begun to lose forward momentum. The contact heard an abnormal "popping" sound at the moment the steering had stopped functionality. The contact stated she was not aware of any warning lights. The contact pulled off of the roadway and stopped, as she placed the vehicle in park (P) she noted smoke coming from the front. The contact stated she exited the vehicle and saw that there were flames from under the vehicle. The contact stated that after about 2 to 3 minutes the entire front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the flames using foam and other chemicals. The police were also on scene and filed a report. The vehicle was towed away to an impound lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while parked, the sunroof shattered from the center of the glass. The contact stated that because of the failure, the contact was treated for a concussion. The contact stated that there was no impact on the sunroof prior to the failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The drivers side seat belt even tho put in the position of “locked in” it comes out or doesn’t latch at all.
The electrical/switch inside the passenger side door caught on fire, with out warning, while driving. There was a passenger in the vehicle at the time. Driver pulled over when smoke was visible. Flames were soon visible, driver poured water on the flames in effort to extinguish the fire. Flames were reduced but the door began to melt and the window shattered. Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after calling 911. State police, fire, and ambulance arrived shortly after. Thankfully there were no injuries. The insurance was also called and a claim was filed. An adjuster was assigned to the claim to inspect the cause of the fire. After reading numerous reports of the same incident it sounds like this is a known issue that Toyota has not taken responsibility for. Serious injury could have occurred to the driver and passenger if quick action was not taken.
I was sold an bad car
My passenger side dash airbag is bloating and tearing at the seam. It is available for inspection. I am concerned that it will continue to add pressure and eventually deploy. It seems unsafe for passengers -would it work properly in the case of an accident? And for myself as the driver, it would certainly startle me while driving if it deployed by itself. I took it in to get serviced and was told it would need to be replaced. The cost will be around $1600. I haven’t had my insurance inspect it, is that something that is recommended? I tried to contact Toyota but never heard back. I don’t have any warning lights on, and I noticed the issue starting in the past year. I have found threads of other Toyota Camry in the same car age range with owners that are having/had the same issue. These threads mentioned it happening around 40,000 miles, and that aligns with my car too. - I also have a friend that has the same issue with her Camry airbag!
Airbags failed to deploy
I did the texas inspection test, and my vehicle failed the test, and the report with catalyst, evap, and O2 sens was not completed. I'm wondering what is the problem and how I can fix it. I would like to have my vehicle get checked out and find the problem.
Purchased the camry from reyes auto group in lakewood, nj. Took the vehicle back to pa where I live and 2 mechanics showed me the rusted out under carriage of vehicle and stated that it will not pass the pa safety inspection and would cost over $2000 to fix! Gas started leaking from tank because of rusted condition.
03/16/2021 - 2002 toyota camry 2.4L my regular auto shop revealed that the engine's head bolts are stripped and IS a common issue amongst this camry year. It's going to cost $2,200 to repair albeit new radiator, and thermostat. Coolant was found in the engine block. Stripped head bolts. Mechanic says he's seen many camry's with this issue especially the 2002-2003. the kbb value IS less than that. Thinking it makes sense to sell as salvage than repair. So disappointed! Long-time toyota fan but if this IS a common issue indicative of a manufacture defect then what's the hold up for a recall.
Like many other 2002 camrys, I have a stripped threads for the head bolts in the 2.4L engine; this repair IS expensive. Toyota issued a service bulletin describing the repair. Google 'toyota bulletin t-sb-0015-11' to read more. Toyota should be made to replace this engine.
I had an accident because my 2002 toyota camry didn't stop when applying the brake but kept on going till it hi a fire hydra06nt. I had just pulled into a parking place but the car just didn't stop. It happened once before but just lasted a few seconds and it didn't cause an accident. I'm still driving but am afraid this mieht happen again. I can't keep driving a care that just drives itself.. I know this IS a defect in the toyota and there have been recalls. I just can't find it in the 2002 modle.
Sold *tr
Like many other 2002 camrys, I have a stripped threads for the head bolts in the 2.4L engine; this repair IS expensive. Toyota issued a service bulletin describing the repair. Google 'toyota bulletin t-sb-0015-11' to read more. toyota should be made to replace this engine.
The car IS experiencing sudden acceleration it IS lunging forward. the last occurrence was around 20 minutes ago, it has happened to two family members so far, while driving no extra pressure on the gas the car suddenly accelerate.
Bough the car from a toyota dealer 8/2013 with 36K miles. yes, very low mileage, 36,000 miles. on 11/2015 on my way to work while I was in the free way, I've noticed my temperature gauge was starting to go up, I was lucky enough to exit out of the freeway and was able to take it to one of the mechanic I usually use after I was able to add water. the mechanic did not even looked at the car after I told him what happen, his response was you need a new engine. the car has 52.5K miles on the original engine. had a blown head gasket issue from strip head bolts. the problems that could have created an unsafe condition IS if I did not noticed my temperature gauge and the car suddenly stall while I was on the freeway, I could have gotten hit by another vehicle. I did a research about the 2.4L 2azfe engines and found out this was a very common problems with this engines. I've called the dealer and even toyota corporate office to see if they could help me out, I am pretty much out of my luck. my mom car was a 06 scion tc with same engine, 136K, 1/18, blown head gasket due to strip head bolts. I ended up buying rebuilt engines for both cars and I did not buy it from the dealer. I had a 92 camry, 2.2L I was able to get the car to almost 300K with original engine.
The car IS burning a quart of oil a week and no visible signs of a leak. The door locks do not work only the drivers side door opens withe the key and fob.
Every time I tried to use the ac air conditioner in the car it makes the car shut off if I use the cigarette lighter outlet to charge up my cell phone it drain the battery and that will cause the car to shut off also my front passenger door opens by itself even when I'm driving it will unlock and open on its own
The vehicle accelerated and would not stop. The accelerator stuck
TL* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle hesitated to drive, the gauges start to go crazy, and the vehicle lunged and then stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle and push it over to the side of the road with assistance from another person. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced along with the battery cable. The vehicle was repaired. Afterwards, while reversing the vehicle, it stalled. The technician replaced the alternator a second time. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle 30 miles from the independent mechanic, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ground wires needed to be replaced and the battery cable. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that two weeks later, the vehicle was rattling and failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted the following day. The contact stated that a new battery was installed two days ago, but the failure continued. The contact also stated that the vehicle ran out of oil and three quarts had to be added. The oil had to be changed every 700 miles. The contact also stated that the valve cover gasket and the catalytic convertor failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming too much oil and shook when driving more than 50 mph. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and provided case number: 1909271661. The approximate failure mileage was 23,800.
TL* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. The contact stated that the front passenger air bag was protruding out of its compartment. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Legacy toyota (3800 w tennessee st, tallahassee, fl 32304, (850) 688-9264) was contacted and stated that the contact would have to pay for diagnostic testing. The dealer provided case number: 1907100960. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 127,000.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
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 uncontrolledsurging in my 2002 to 2006 camry vehicles bringing those vehicles to a high rate of speed (in some cases, purportedly, with the brakes applied).after review and analysis of the available information, odi has not identified a vehicle-based defect that would have produced the alleged engine surge in the petitioner?s vehicle, nor was it able to witness such an event when road testing the petitioner?s vehicle.evaluation of a suspect throttle actuator removed from the petitioner?s vehicle did not reveal a component problem. Warranty and parts sales of the actuator are unremarkable.these data do not support the existence of a wide-spread defect or ongoing concern. The fault detection and reaction strategy described in toyota?s technical documents indicates that a loss of throttle control due to a component or system failure would be detected within a one second periodafter which engine power would be limited. The petitioner?s my 2006 vehicle brake system overcomes full engine power at easily achievable brake pedal forces. Based on the analysis conducted, it IS unlikely that nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of a safety related defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.consequently, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition IS denied.please see the march 9, 2007 federal register notice for further details.
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 accelerations.the 1172 vehicle owner questionnaire reports cited by the petitioner involve 4 lexus and 15 toyota models defining a population of 7 million vehicles.the reports typically alleged a defect in the brake system, the throttle control system, or a combination of both systems.in its review of the reports, odi a) failed to find evidence to support the existence of a brake related defect in the cited models, and b) determined that many cited products were not equipped with etc.accordingly, odi restricted its analysis to the 432 petitioner reports involving my 2002 to 2005 camry, solara, and ES models (all equipped with etc) that alleged an abnormal throttle control event (see the january 3, 2006 federal register notice for further details).about 40% of the 432 reports involve a driveability concern where the operator intentionally applies the throttle pedal, in expectation that the vehicle will accelerate, and then experiences a delay or hesitation in vehicle response.these reports involve vehicle response to intentional driver commands which odi considers unrelated to the allegations raised by the petitioner.therefore, the reports do not provide support for the investigation requested.about 20% of the reports involve incidents where operators allege vehicle acceleration without driver input and an inability of the brake system to control the vehicle when applied.neither the reports, nor the interviews conducted by odi, identified any vehicle-based cause to explain the incidents or disclosed evidence to support that a failure of the brake or throttle control system had occurred.because these reports do not indicate a distinct safety defect for investigation, the reports do not provide support for the investigation requested by the petitionerthe remaining reports (~ 40%, similar to the petitioner?s and those of pe04-021) typically describe incidents where a vehicle IS being maneuvered at slow speed in a close quarter situation at which point the operator alleges that the vehicle accelerates without driver input and crashes.in the aftermath, operators are unsure of whether the brakes were applied or not, sometimes stating there was insufficient time to use the brake; a crash occurred and the operator believes an uncommanded acceleration caused it.in spite of the effort expended during pe04-021 and during this analysis, odi has not identified any vehicle-based cause to explain the reports, or uncovered any evidence to indicate that a throttle control system failure occurred.therefore, the reports have ambiguous significance and do not constitute a basis on which any further investigative action IS warranted.based on the analysis conducted, it IS unlikely that the nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of a safety related defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.consequently, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources t
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 owner questionnaire (voq) reports, conducted interviews involving 113 voq and 36 toyota reports, inspected two complainant vehicles, reviewed relevant toyota service and new car feature documentation, reviewed and analyzed toyota?s responses to odi?s information request letter, conducted a limited control pedal assessment, and attended a toyota technical presentation that included the assessment of two demonstration vehicles.through interviews, odi identified 14 voq and 6 toyota reports (20 unique vehicles) where complainants report multiple occurrences of the alleged defect.in some cases the condition was experienced by different vehicle operators or was witnessed by other occupants.odi was unable to make a determination as to the cause of 9 toyota and an additional 37 voq reports (which describe 28 unique incidents) due to insufficient information.the remaining complainants interviewed (62 voq, 21 toyota) described conditions not caused by a failure of the throttle control system and were thus considered unrelated to the investigation.none of the complainants interviewed reported a component failure (or other indicator of a system failure) as the potential cause of incidents relevant to this investigation.in many cases, the complaint vehicles were subsequently inspected by dealership or manufacturer representatives who also failed to identify a fault within the vehicle.toyota identified 43 related warranty claims, 24 of which were for diagnostic purposes only (no repairs performed).odi found nothing abnormal in the control pedal configuration of the subject vehicles.a defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation IS closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see the attached summary for further detail.
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.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.