2002 Toyota Camry

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 953 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

610 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control213
119142
Service Brakes, Hydraulic51
907
Engine48
240
Air Bags48
24028
Tires41
201
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip38
802
Power Train › Automatic Transmission36
504
Engine and Engine Cooling34
232
Steering27
111
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal26
1515

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Side/Window04V346000
Filed Jul 13, 2004128,316 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal01V372000
Filed Dec 11, 200119,587 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. 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.

Tires01V302000
Filed Oct 1, 200119 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal01V306000
Filed Sep 25, 20012 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Risk. UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Nov 14, 2025NY

See attached document for complaint.

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Aug 18, 2025283,000 milesNV

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.

Engine
Filed Aug 29, 2024OR

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2024MS

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)

SteeringFire
Filed Sep 27, 2023180,000 milesAZ

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.

Visibility1 injured
Filed Jul 17, 2023130,000 milesOH

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.

Seat Belts
Filed May 23, 2023MI

The drivers side seat belt even tho put in the position of “locked in” it comes out or doesn’t latch at all.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 10, 2023MA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 16, 2023MO

I was sold an bad car

Air Bags
Filed Jan 10, 2023CA

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!

Air BagsCrash3 injured1 killed
Filed Dec 21, 2022MI

Airbags failed to deploy

Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2022TX

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 9, 2021120,960 milesPA

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.

Engine
Filed Mar 16, 2021108,000 milesGU

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.

Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2021150,000 milesHI

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.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash
Filed Jul 22, 202070,998 milesFL

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.

Air Bags
Filed May 8, 2020150,000 milesTX

SOLD *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2020170,500 milesNC

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.

Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2020220,000 milesCA

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.

Engine
Filed Feb 16, 202052,500 milesCA

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.

20 of 953 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202450100Routine
202364220Do not drive
202260110Routine
2021156121Fatalities reported
2020273320Above average
2019394610Above average
2018738840Above average
2017148350Routine
2016183220Routine
2015271131Fatalities reported
2014455341Fatalities reported
2013274211Fatalities reported
2012589260High concern
2011599570High concern
2010602910High concern
20091,29310192Fatalities reported
20089338130High concern
20072,88610644Fatalities reported
2006317542Fatalities reported
20057215106Fatalities reported
20046383115Fatalities reported
20037801105Fatalities reported
2002 — this page95342012Fatalities reported
20012724113Fatalities reported
20004544283Fatalities reported
19995012422Fatalities reported
19986003310High concern
19975554273Fatalities reported
1996417785Fatalities reported
19953035111Fatalities reported
19942873108Fatalities reported
19932602102Fatalities reported
19925652190Above average
19911491101Fatalities reported
1990134230Routine

Compare every Camry year →

Reading this record

12 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 13, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.