2002 Toyota Camry Solara
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Toyota › Camry Solara › 2002
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2002 Toyota Camry Solara. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Tire size P205 60R16 evolution tour series This is the second tire of the set of 4 that suddenly had a belt shift inside the tire and the steering wheel would violently shake , one of the tires when failed pulled to left into oncoming traffic (luckily I retained control)
While driving, after the vehicle gets hot, not overheated, the brakes go soft and you cant stop! If you slam them they work, if you press normally, nothing. We replaced, master cylinder, brake booster, brake lines, calipers, and all pads, had a pressure bleed performed, nothing helps! It's the seal on the fire wall that IS defective!
The air bag light continues to go on. I've spent many dollars to get if fixed, however, no one seems to know why the light IS constantly on. It seems to be on the passenger side. the light goes on whenever the key IS engaged.
The passenger light went on for no apparent reason and vehicle has never been in an accident. vehicle only has 70,000 original miles. I noticed several others have had the same complaint. IS this a safety issue?
While driving my 2002, (75,000 miles) brakes were not functioning as normal. it was necessary to depress the brake down to the floor. about 15 mins later I noticed the "brake" display lit. I called arlington toyota where I have been a customer for 20 years and advised of them of the problem. I was given an appointment, but decided to cautiously drive to the dealer after # calls. I learned that both my brake line and fuel lines had rusted and were leaking fluid. I commented that I had my car in for brake work many times over the past year +. I spoke to my regular attendant at least 4 times about the brakes. I had brake work done, glazing and other types or brake work. long story, after much shopping around, decision making, . The service manager was assigned to deal with me. Originally $2100, then he tony nitty brought it to $1600. finally offered paying $1,000 should have been caught long before my brakes went out while I was driving it as it had been in several time over the past 2+ years for brakes. I rejected the offer as tony had told me he was going to get toyota to pick up the entire $1600. I rejected the offer and he was to give it another shot and to check back on mon. I accepted the offer and it ended up costing me $455.81 I questioned my car being in there 6 times re: brake issues) since 10/2013 and was told it wasn't a problem until there IS a "leak". Hertz desk manager. told me, it this pblm was known for years. I was scared to death frustrated I became from 6/7/2016 until 6/17/2016. paperwork for this issue goes back to 10/2013 and it appears that the rusting, which doesn't just occur was neglected.. I believe toyota should pick up the entire repair (labor and parts) at the very least. I could have been killed. I believe the ball was dropped by arlington toyota in arlington heights, illinois. I dealt with tony nitty, jeff larsen and mgr sandra pierce.
My airbag light has been coming on and going off for years depending on how the passenger seat IS positioned but there was never a recall. After reviewing the site and other complaint for the same year make and model as my vehicle I'm wondering why this isn't a safety concern. The dealer doesn't know what's going on. I got it fixed last year they said it was the pins. Now they are saying the harness needs to be replaced.
TL* 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 filed. After the crash, the air bag sensor light remained permanently illuminated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact also indicated that the dashboard experienced cracking on the passenger side. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Tires showed sidewall dryrot which was dismissed as 'ozone cracking' and extremely reduced traction after 2 years, 25,000 miles. michelin would not make good on complaint. entire set hn7rpk1x4911, hn7rpk1x01122, hn7rpk1x4611, hn7rpk1x5111
This report IS not in reference to the vehicle, it IS an issue with tires. I put on a set of michelin primacy MXV4 205/60r16 92H in feburary of 2012, and after the second year found the material hardening and with low traction, wet or dry (worse wet of course) and when I contacted michelin about this was told no warranty exists in regards to traction. I found uncomfortable with control of my vehicle and changed the tires. serial numbers on the tires were: hn7rpk1x4911, hn7rpk1x01122, hn7rpk1x4611, hn7rpk1x5111 I am no longer in possession of the tires, they were left with costco in melville, ny. I want to report this in case these tires are in question in any other incident.
The passenger air bag light never goes off. Dealership says it'll cost $500 to fix but I don't understand what's wrong with it in the first place but because of it they say none of the air bags will work in a crash. Absolutely ridiculous.
2002 toyota solara. consumer writes in regards to passenger side airbag light illuminated. *smd
This vehicle (and many other solara's) seems to have issues with the acceleration. At times, the car accelerates a little bit by itself. It has never caused me to crash or anything major, but I've had to hit the brakes real hard because its taken me by surprise. This mainly happens when I'm not moving, for example, when I'm waiting at a red light. The car makes noises that technicians have not been able to properly diagnose. I am the third owner of this 2002 toyota solara and I have a report from the original owner dating back to 2002. This owner describes weird noises coming from the driver's side but that toyota was not able to diagnose the problem. As it seems, this car has been having issues with unexplainable noises since its day of manufacture. I've been replacing many things on the car thinking because of age it IS making such noises, but noises persist. *tr
TL* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry solara. The contact stated that the he had to click the driver's side seat belt several times in order for it to engage. Eventually the seat belt became completely inoperable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147.200.
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. *tr
Passenger airbag light remains lit whether or not a passenger IS sitting in the seat. *tr
Stripped headbolts causing coolant leakage which results in over heating engine. From all of the info I have read online this IS a typical problem with this engine and feel that toyota should do a recall. *tr
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.
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.
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.
2002 solara has the frequent pull to the left despite 4 new tires, balancing and alignment. I called toyota but their service dept was no help. *tr
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 needing to quickly apply the brakes, the brakes become difficult to push down on. the brake will not press down past a certain point and the car will not slow down, a frightening and dangerous predicament. after a few seconds it becomes normal, but you lose the space to slow down during those seconds. *Tr
2002 toyota solara convertible steering wheel vibration. I recently purchased a used convertible. the steering wheel has vibration that IS not related to speed. all tires and both front axles have been replaced. a four-wheel alignment has been completed as well. I have concerns that the vehicle has steering problems similar to other recalls issued by toyota motors. *Tr
I was driving my toyota 2002 solara into the parking lot on 6-27-10 to the post office. While pulling into a parking spot along side of the post office building, while applying the brakes the acceleration started to increase and the brake pedal went down almost to the floor. The car jumped the parking stop and then the side walk into the wall of the building. The two air bags exploded, then trying to put the car into park the car went into reverse back into the parking lot. Then finally the car was in park and ignition was shut off. I called 911 and then went the hospital for x-rays. This IS not safe to drive these cars and the floormat didn't get stuck on the gas pedal. IS this a problematic throttle control system with toyota cars? IS there a way to find out what cause this problem? IS there any computer in the car that will store this information what happen? I'm am so shook up that I don't think I can ever drive another vehicle again. Please keep me informed what I can do about this and who do I can sue what happen to me. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *Tr
2002 toyota solara convertible stalled on railroad tracks in raleigh, nc. The driver was killed seconds after when an amtrak train collided with the vehicle. A mechanical defect has not been ruled out. The car IS still in the possession of the decedants widow. *Tr
TL* 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 to a stop. After shifting the vehicle back into drive, and removing her foot from the brake pedal, the vehicle abnormally accelerated again. She shifted into reverse a second time and again, the vehicle accelerated. She was able to park the vehicle successfully and she immediately contacted the dealer. the dealer advised her to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed and also stated that the failure could be a result of driver error. The manufacturer was contacted and she was instructed to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 34,000 and the failure mileage was 30,100.
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.
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.