2002 Toyota Camry complaints

I KEPT HEARING RUSHING WATER COMING FROM SOMEWHERE BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG. SO AT THE END OF NOVEMBER MY CAR RAN HOT I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE THERMOSTAT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I REPLACED IT'.IT RAN HOT AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. WAS TOLD I HAD A COOLANT LEAK. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT' I NEED AN ENGINE! STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS IN THE BLOCK, NO NOT JUST A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THE HEAD BOLTS HAVE LET GO FROM THE BLOCK. I ASKED THE MECHANIC FOR A WRITE UP OF HIS FINDINGS: (PARAPHRASED) 'THE ONLY OPTION LEFT IS TO REMOVE THE HEAD, WHICH REQUIRES AN EXTENSIVE DISASSEMBLY (R AND R CYLINDER HEAD). AFTER LOOSENING THE BOLTS IN SEQUENCE, I NOTICE THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE BACK OF THE ENGINE ARE LOOSE. FROM MY EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD, I CAN CONFIDENTLY CONCLUDE THAT THIS ONLY MEANS ONE OF TWO THINGS: THE BOLTS WERE LEFT LOOSE AT THE FACTORY, OR THE BOLTS ARE STRIPPED. ( I COMMONLY HAVE SEEN STRIPPED BOLTS IN THE ALUMINUM CADILLAC NORTH STAR BLOCK DISCOVERED THROUGH LEAKING COOLANT.) NEXT, I REMOVED THE HEAD AND SURE ENOUGH, ONE BOLT CAME OUT WITH ALUMINUM IN THE THREAD...THUS INDICATING A STRIPPED BOLT. MY THEORY: THE PLACEMENT OF THE (INSULATION) FOAM RUBBER PIECE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE ENGINE BLOCK CREATED AN UNEVEN DISPERSION OF HEAT, CREATING "METAL FATIGUE" IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ALLOWING THE HEAD BOLT TO STRIP.' I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE, THERE'S NO PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THIS AND MY PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED... LOOK IT UP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING LOT IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE, ACROSS TWO PARKING LOTS AND CRASHED INTO A BOULDER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN IT ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 116,000.

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN MY 2002 CAMRY SINCE PURCHASE, BUT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT. UPON SUDDEN BRAKING ON HILLS, UNEVEN GROUND AND OTHER CONDITIONS, OCCASIONALLY, THE BRAKES ARE JERKY LIKE THEY ARE NOT CATCHING AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO STOP. IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AT THE SHOP AND SO NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT IT. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR DATE (SINCE 2002) ALTHOUGH I AM PUTTING IN A DATE SO I CAN GET THROUGH THE FORM. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE UP AND WHILE HAVING HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. AFTER HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN TO PARK AND TURNED IT OFF, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING THROUGH HOOD FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND FAILURE COULD NOT DUPLICATED . THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE . THE FAILURE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 03/04/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A SECOND CAMRY. UPDATED 09/16/10

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH THROUGH THE CONTACTS GARAGE AND INTO HER HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED PRIOR THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY SURGE WITHOUT WARNING BUT WOULD IMMEDIATELY CORRECT ITSELF.THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THERE IS NO POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 43600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TWICE AND IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE FLOOR MAT. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP BY APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO THE FLOOR MAT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER SHE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. UPDATED 05/06/10.*JB

02 TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELERATED ON IT OWN X PROB CORRECTED ITSELF AS I WAS TAKING CAR OUT OF DRIVE X ONLY HAPPENED ONCE. *TR

SUDDEN ACCELERATION--WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH THE CAR NEARLY STOPPED, IT SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD RACING NOISE AND ACCELERATED OVER TWO CEMENT PARKING SPACE CURBS. THE CAR LANDED IN THE ADJACENT PARKING LANE AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP IT IN ABOUT 3 CAR LENGTHS. DRIVER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND WAS NEARLY STOPPED WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE CAR HAD ACCESSORY WINTER FLOOR MATS. HOWEVER, THE MAT WAS NOT NEAR GAS PEDAL. VIN NUMBER STARTS WIT A "J" INDICATING IT WAS BUILT IN JAPAN. TOYOTA MECHANIC FOUND "ENGINE SPLASH AND DRIVER FRONT FENDER LINER RIPPED LOOSE, DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME SCRATCHED AND DENTED (COSMETIC), DRIVER FRONT FENDER LINER RUBBING TIRE CAUSING NOISE. NOTHING WAS DONE TO ADDRESS ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHEN INITIALLY TAKEN TO TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER. AFTER EXPRESSING CONCERNS, SERVICE DIRECTOR CALLED AND SAID THAT HE WOULD DO AN ACCELERATION TEST ON THE CAR. CAR WAS REPAIRED AT TOYOTA DEALER AND INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ONLY ONCE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN A TOYOTA CAMRY 2002, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT. BELIEVING THAT I HAD ENOUGH ROOM TO STOP MY TOYOTA CAMRY SAFELY I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS STRUCK BUT MY TOYOTA CAMRY WAS TOTALED. THE ROAD CONDITION WAS WET FROM RAIN BUT NOT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I FULLY BELIEVE THAT I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES WITH ENOUGH PRESSURE TO SAFELY STOP THE CAR BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLEIN FRONT OF ME BUT MY TOYOTA CAMRY VEHICLE DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. PLEASE NOTE THAT TRAFFIC ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 29, 2005. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND ON FILE. I DID NOT RECEIVE A TICKET. ORIGINALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT UNTIL THE JANUARY 2010 RECALL OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR TOYOTAS WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. *TR

MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY V-6 HAS HAD SPEED CONTROL ISSUES STARTING ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER WE BROUGHT IT. IT SURGES OCCASSIONALLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *TW

ORIGINALLY I OPENED ODI 10060806 / DE04021 IN EARLY 2004 TO REPORT SUDDEN AND SHORT SURGES OF ACCELERATION WITH MY 2002 CAMRY LE. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUES PERIODICALLY WITHOUT WARNING SINCE MY ORIGINAL REPORT. THE LAST OCCURRENCE WAS IN REVERSE ABOUT 5-6 MONTHS AGO. I AM VERY DISTURBED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOW RECALLED LATER MODEL YEAR CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS BUT CONTINUES TO NOT ADDRESS EARLIER MODELS WHICH FIRST REPORTED THE PROBLEM IN PE04021, DP05002, AND DP06003. I CALLED THIS MORNING AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO RE-ISSUE A NEW ODI TO GET THE NHTSA TO RE-OPEN THIS INVESTIGATION. I HAVE ADDITIONALLY OPENED CASES LOCALLY AND AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL WITH TOYOTA, AS I WANT THIS PROBLEM DOCUMENTED AGAINST MY VIN NUMBER. PLEASE, HELP THE OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODEL YEAR CARS THAT STARTED THESE INVESTIGATIONS ORIGINALLY BEFORE THERE ARE MORE DEATHS OR INJURIES AS THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*CW *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH IN TRAFFIC OR WHEN HE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE OR IDENTIFY A FAILURE CODE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT 10060829 I HAVE THE CAMRY NOW 8 YEARS. THE PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT HAS SHOWED UP OFF AND ON FOR THE YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. MOST OF THE TIME ON THE FREEWAY. JUST A FEW SECONDS, NEVER DID I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THEN IN BEGINNING SEP 09 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD AUTO ZONE GET THE CODE, BUT THEY COULD NOT READ ANYTHING. I HAD A HARD TIME STARTING THE CAR AFTER THAT. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE CAR THE NEXT DAY. NOTHING WAS FOUND. FOURTEEN DAYS LATER, DRIVING OUT OF A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT, THE CAR ENGINE REVVED VIOLENTLY, NO STICKING PEDALS, NOT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. NEXT MORNING NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER TO DRIVE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. IT TOOK THE MECHANIC A WHILE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HE REPLACED VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR, 9/14/2009. SINCE THAT TIMEI HAVE NOT NOTICED THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION YET. THE REPAIR BILL WAS JUST UNDER $ 700. ASKED MECHANIC IF THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. HE SAID NO. TW*

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO HER GARAGE, SUDDENLY, THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED THROUGH THE INTERIOR WALLS OF THE GARAGE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THERE WAS A SEPARATE OCCASION THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED WITH SEVERE INJURIES SUSTAINED TO THE TWO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I SAW A FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I LIFTED THE HOOD I NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST WAS RED NEAR THE BURN SITE. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL CATCHING FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *CN *TR

WE HAVE 02 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, 4 CYL. ON 12/23/09 WE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS. FORTUNATELY IT OCCURRED IN OUR DRIVEWAY; THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE NORMALLY, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER FROM DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THIS IS ALL ELECTRONIC, OUR PART COST WAS $447.75 PLUS LABOR AND TAXES. I THINK THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A POTENTIAL IN THE TOYOTA RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER THE CURB AND INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT BEFORE CRASHING INTO A STONE WALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE POLICE OR NEED TO GO TO A HOSPITAL. THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE SO THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE CRASH TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED SINCE A PASSENGER COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/03/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE STOP LIGHT HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A MECHANIC FROM TOYOTA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS RETRIEVED DATA FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT A LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT IN FRONT OF HIM IT WOULD HAVE ACCELERATED INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

I HAVE JUST NOTICED THAT MY 2002 CAMRY 4 CYLINDER HAS A COOLANT LEAKING PROBLEM. SEARCH ON THE WEB, THE ISSUE IS VERY LIKELY DUE TO THE STRIPPED HEAD BOLT AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS WARRANTS A RECALL!!!!!! *TR

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 ARE NOW ON. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER NEXT DAY. A SKID CONTROL COMPUTER IS DOWN PER TOYOTA. TOYOTA UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ENGINE DYING, BUT ADMIT FAULTY COMPUTER COULD BE CAUSE. SKID CONTROL COMPUTER COSTS $1453 TO REPLACE + $XXX FOR LABOR. I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2002 TOYOTA SO AM FILING A COMPLAINT. WHY HAS TOYOTA NOT RECALLED/FIXED THIS YET? IF THIS OCCURRED ON FREEWAY, STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP AT 55+ MPH? ARE THEY CRAZY? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. SHE SHIFTED GEARS INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND BACK END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED; HOWEVER, NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION OF 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE MODEL WITH STABILITY CONTROL. (THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE US AND PURCHASED IN FOLSOM, CA IN MARCH 2002. WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS THE CAR EXPERIENCED TWO CASES OF UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION. FORTUNATELY, SPEEDS WERE LOW AS THE CAR WAS IN THE PROCESS OF STOPPING. BOTH TIMES THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS AND IT MUST BE THE WAY THE CAR WAS DRIVEN. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER CHECKED THE SYSTEMS AND COULD FIND NOTHING. THE PROBLEMS HAS NOT RECURRED. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN CORRECTED WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE. *TR

LOSS OF COOLANT. TOOK TO AUTO REPAIR. TOLD TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. UPON REPLACEMENT OF HEAD, DISCOVERED HEAD BOLTS WOULD NOT TIGHTEN BECAUSE THREADS IN ALUMINUM BLOCK WERE STRIPPED. *TR

2002 CAMRY XLE V6...AT 138,000 MILES WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL DURING RUSH HOUR THE ENGINE STALLS AND AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS FINALLY RESTARTS. THE CAR CONTINUED TO NOT IDLE THE REST OF MY TRIP HOME - STALLING EVERY TIME I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP OR TURN A CORNER...VERY UNSAFE...DIDN'T TRUST THE CAR TO MAKE IT TO MECHANIC. CAR WAS TOWED, MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 MORE TIMES WITHIN A WEEK. SAME SCENARIO, TOWED TO MECHANIC, FOUND NOTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THEREFORE THE COMPUTER DOES NOT REGISTER ANY ISSUES. MECHANIC CLEANED ALL SENSORS, IDLE VALVE, DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIND NOTHING WRONG. CAR WAS FINE UNTIL JULY 4, WEEKEND AND DID THE SAME THING TWICE AGAIN. MECHANIC FINDS NOTHING BECAUSE IT SO RANDOM. SAME SITUATION IN NOVEMBER WHILE TURNING CAR STALLED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT IDLE, LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR WHILE TURNING. 3 MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE ISSUES MENTIONED WITH BRAKES AND ROTORS WHICH HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *TR

I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY V6 LE WITH A MILEAGE READING OF ABOUT 115000. I DO REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ALL NECESSARY SERVICES. HOWEVER OFF LATELY THE CAR HAS RANDOMLY STARTED TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THIS HAS STARTED TO BE A BIG PROBLEM AND I HESITATE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR LONG DISTANCE. THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD SPECIALLY WHEN I STOP FOR A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND THEN WOULD REFUSE TO START AGAIN. I HAVE TO KEEP THE GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO STAY IDLE AND NOT DIE. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINS THE CAR WOULD AGAIN START UP AND WORK NORMALLY. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THREE TIMES THIS PAST 2 WEEKS AND ITS SCARY NOW TO EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR ANYWHERE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHERE I GET ALL SERVICES DONE AND HE SAYS EVERYTHING IS FINE, BUT THEN I HAD TWO STALLS AFTER THE VISIT. PROBLEM IS THAT IT STALLS RANDOMLY AND WHEN I TAKE IT TO MECHANIC, IT PERFORMS QUIET WELL WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. I READ TODAY IN MOTORTREND WEBSITE THAT NHTSA IS ENQUIRING ABOUT SOME TOYOTA VEHICLES REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND WAS WONDERING IF THESE INCIDENTS ARE RELATED? *TR THANKS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPM'S INCREASED TO 5,000. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WARNING SENSOR. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

IN AUGUST 2009 MY 2002 TOYOTA ACCELERATED INTO REVERSE WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE CAUSING A BAD ACCIDENT. I BROUGHT IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. *TR

MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND THE AUTOMOBILE JUST TOOK OFF . LUCKILY SHE WAS STOPPED BY THE END OF THE CARPORT BY CONCRETE STEPS. SECOND, MY WIFE AND GRANDCHILD WHERE AT SHOPPING CENTER. MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR, AS BEFORE, JUST TOOK OFF AT FULL THROTTLE. THIS TIME SHE WENT INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN AND STRUCK THREE OTHER AUTOS, WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO OUR CAT AND OTHERS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE AUTOMOBILE TWO TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG. BEING THAT THIS CONDITION HAS HAPPENED TWICE, SO FAR, BOTH MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED AND WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. *TR

2002 TOYOTA V6 SE; FRONT BRAKE DISCS CAUSED SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHEN SLOWING FROM 40 TO 35 MPH. DEALER ORIGINALLY REPLACED ALL FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM AT ABOUT 15000 MILES UNDER A TOYOTA BULLETIN. AT 60,000 MILES BEGAN TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM WHICH BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES. OUT OF WARRANTY, SO OWNER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE CORRECTED.... NO TOYOTA RECALL..... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE TRADED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000. UPDATED 12/08/09. LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, IT THEN CHANGED TO GREEN AND THEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RPM'S RACE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT FULL FORCE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD DAMAGE TO HIS BUMPER, BUT NO DAMAGED TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/10/09.

MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 72,500 MILES HAD THE CHECK LIGHT COME ON. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN COLUMBIA, SC. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD SLUDGE AND WOULD SOON STOP WORKING. I TOLD THE DEALER I CHANGED THE OIL REGULARLY WHEN NEEDED BUT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS MY FAULT. *TR

I AM WRITING THIS LETTER ON BEHALF OF MY MOTHER. SHE DRIVES A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. LAST WEEK SHE INFORMED ME THAT HER CAR 'DID IT AGAIN' AND THAT SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. WELL, I DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHEN SHE SAID HER CAR WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE IN BURSTS UNTIL I SAW NIGHTLINE LAST NIGHT REGARDING THE TOYOTA RUN-AWAY CAR ISSUE. HERE ARE THE INCIDENCES THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO MY MOM: 1)ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2009, SHE WAS BACKING OUT OF HER SPACE AT A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT AND 'THE CAR BACK OUT REALLY FAST'. SHE WAS SO AFRAID THAT SHE WAS GOING TO HIT SOMEONE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND HER SO NO ONE GOT HURT. SHE TRIED APPLYING THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL AND THEN TRIED MOVING THE GEARS AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR STOPPED. 2)ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2009, SHE WAS BACKING OUT FROM HER HOME AND THE CAR 'TOOK OFF AND WENT BACK REALLY FAST AND THEN SPUN AROUND AND THEN HIT A TREE ACROSS THE STREET' IN THE NEIGHBOR'S SWELL. SHE HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. SHE THEN TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED. 3)ON OCTOBER 6, 2009, SHE WAS BACKING OUT FROM GETTING HER HAIR DONE AND 'THE CAR ACCELERATED, TURNED AROUND AND WENT TOWARDS THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET AND THEN WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE BACKYARD OF THE HOUSE---HITTING THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE ALONG THE WAY'. THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. THE CAR BROKE DOWN THE CLOTHES LINE. THANK GOD THAT NEITHER SHE, THE PASSENGER , NOR THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE GOT HURT. THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE WA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN AGGRESSIVE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. UPDATED 11/23/09 *BF UPDATED 11/24/09

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE PULLING TO THE VALVOLINE SERVICE STATION TO GET AN OIL CHANGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY AND DROVE THROUGH THE SERVICE BAY, THE GAS STATION, AND THEN ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURE WERE CONTACTED. SHE WAS PARKING HER VEHICLE WHEN THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED. CONSEQUENTLY SHE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40945.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. ON OCTOBER 22, 2009 SHE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. SHE WAS FORCED TO CRASH INTO THE PARKED VEHICLES OR A WALL IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP TO AND AVOID A TRAGEDY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO THE FLOOR MAT; HOWEVER, THE HOOKS ON THE FLOOR MAT HAVE AN ADDITIONAL COVER AND WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO THE THIRD VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE AND THAT THE CRASH OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE HONOLULU POLICE REPORT NUMBER 09383098. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 30,000.

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. CAMRY WITH 128,000 MILES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. DEALER SAID IT WILL COST ABOUT $1000 TO REPAIR. CHARCOAL CANNISTER FAILURE, EMISSION VALVES AND FUEL FILLER NECK FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO A DRIVEWAY HER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK RETAINER WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2000 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BEAUTY SALON. THE POLICE WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT THE CONTACT LOSS CONSCIOUSNESS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO HER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONDUCT A SURVEY OF THE DAMAGES AND CHECK FOR A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER IF A REPRESENTATIVE HAS ASSESSED THE DAMAGES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 11/13/09.*LJ UPDATED 11/16/09.*JB SEE ALSO ODI 10265717 *DSY

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE COMES TO A STALL (ENGINE STOPS RUNNING AND CAR DOES NOT RESTART FOR A FEW MINUTES) ON RED LIGHT AND STOP SIGN. MANY PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR FIXED BUT DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY RESTARTS IN A FEW MINUTES IN MOST CASES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR A CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY AT RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *TR

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, ENGINE STALL/LOW IDLE PROBLEM AT 60K MILES, NO CODES ON OBD REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, COIL PACK, FUEL INJECTION SERVICE BUT STILL SAME PROBLEM, NO ERROR CODE ON DIAGNOSTICS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GRACO SNUGRIDE INFANT CHILD SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 8643MDW3, MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 14, 2006. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTING THE CHILD TO THE VEHICLE SECURED IN AN "INFANT ONLY" CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WHEN THE HANDLE MECHANISM FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE LOCK POSITION. WHEN GRASPING THE CARRY HANDLE FIRMLY THE SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD; HOWEVER, THE CHILD WAS NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THE OFFERED NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS FOUL ODOR COMING FROM HVAC VENTS. DEALER HAS REMOVED FAN ENCLOSURE IN ENGINE AND CLEANED OUT AND ADDED DISINFECTANT. ODOR REMAINS A PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE MY WIFE (DRIVER FOR 40 YEARS) WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE, SHOT ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO THE NEIGHBORS' YARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE WHICH PREVENTED THE CAR FROM CRASHING INTO THE HOUSE. *TR

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, STALLS AS COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC, TURNING OR SOMEONE PULLING IN FRONT OF ME IN TRAFFIC. CAR WILL NOT START FOR 20 MINUTES. WHEN TRYING TO START CAR BEFORE 20 MINUTES IT TURNS OVER BUT NOT START OR HAS A HARD TIME STARTING AND SPUTTERS TILL I CAN PULL OVER OFF THE STREET AND STALLS IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I WAIT THE FULL 20 PLUS MINUTES THE CAR STARTS AS IF NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. BY THE TIME I GET TO THE DEALER OR ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR SAY IT HAS TO DO WITH THE EMISSIONS CONTROL AND THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT MAY BE THAT PROBLEM & I MAY HAVE TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN & I WILL NOT BE REFUNDED MY MONEY & WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE OUT OF THE POCKET. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 YEARS. IT IS WORSE IN THE HEAT & HUMIDITY (HAPPENS MORE OFTEN). *TR

OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP RESULTING IN POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE SEIZURE AND FIRE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALERSHIP AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SO I TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR WHICH HE REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AND SHE WAS JUST ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC'S SHOP WITH THE CAR RUNNING ROUGHLY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE (136,000 MILES) HAD SUFFERED A "BLOWN" HEAD GASKET. HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET BUT WARNED ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE ALUMINUM CASTING OF THE ENGINE THAT THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT WHEN HE REMOVED THE STEEL BOLTS THEY WOULD STRIP OUT THE ALUMINUM THREADS AND THEN I WOULD BE LOOKING AT A NEW ENGINE. UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED - TOTAL COST TO PUT IN A REASONABLY "NEW" USED ENGINE (FROM A 2009 SCION) WAS $5,800. I UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS CAN HAPPEN AND AM NOT UNDULY UPSET THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN HOWEVER, SOMETHING AS BASIC AS KNOWING THAT YOU SHOULD NOT USE STEEL BOLTS IN AN ALUMINUM THREAD SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY TOYOTA. WHEN A REPAIR SUCH AS MINE IS UNDERTAKEN THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF THE BOLTS STRIPPING OUT THE ALUMINUM THREADS. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE COST OF REPAIR GOES FROM APPROXIMATELY 1600 TO REPLACE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET TO 5800 TO REPLACE AN ENTIRE ENGINE. THIS IS REALLY A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO ANY ENGINEER AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY TOYOTA. *TR

2002 CAMRY LE,50K MILES ALWAYS PULLS TO LEFT. HAS BEEN TO DEALER AND VARIOUS SHOPS. STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES AT ANY AND ALL SPEEDS. PROBLEM IS STRUCTURAL. BRAKES ARE CONSTANT PROBLEM. SUNROOF WILL NOT SEAL CORRECTLY THEREFORE REAR FLOOR IS NOW WET. NOW EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF BUYING A 1950 STUDEBAKER! AND GM IS IN TROUBLE? LAST TOYOTA FOR ME. CAR IS UNSAFE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TENSIONER DOES NOT RETRACT. THE FAILURE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY 6-8 MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $400 TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED IN EITHER CRASH. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPRESENTATIVE CONCLUDED AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THAT NOTHING CAUSED THE SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. SEE ALSO 10286930 *DSY

MY 2002 CAMRY LE CHECK ENG. LIGHT CAME ON FROM A COOLANT LEAK WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR AT THE COST OF $3,500 THE CAR WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD IT WAS A LEASE CERTIFIED BUY BACK ALSO WHEN I BOUGHT IT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WENT BAD LESS THEN A MONTH WAS TOLD I HAD TO FIX ON MY OWN THEY THE MOTOR RAN HOT BUT THE COOLANT GAGE NEVER INDICATED THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE SEAT BELT LATCH RELEASE ON MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY FAILS TO "POP OUT" AFTER UN-FASTENING (RELEASING) THE SEAT BELT. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UN-SAFE CONDITION SINCE IT COULD APPEAR THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS LATCHED WHEN IT WAS NOT. I WAS TOLD BE THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD COST $140. TO REPAIR THIS CONDITION. I SAID THAT I THOUGHT THIS WAS A SAFETY MATTER AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST. I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS WARRANT SEAT BELTS FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR AND MAKE SUCH SAFETY REPAIRS AT NO CHARGE. WHY DOES TOYOTA CHARGE FOR REPAIR OF SUCH SAFETY DEVICES? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY. *TR