2002 Toyota Camry Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe unexpected or unintended acceleration and brake complaints, with speed-control reports tending to come in at relatively low mileage and brake reports at moderate mileage. A second, later-mileage cluster involves coolant loss and overheating linked in complaints to stripped head bolts on the 2.4L four-cylinder. Airbag complaints cluster around non-deployment in crashes and dashboard airbag warning lights.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or sticking accelerator

   • 374 complaints (39%)
   • median 41,238 mi at 5.2 yrs old (259 state mileage)
   • 175 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,300 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2020

   Complaints describe the car surging forward or holding speed with little or no pedal input, sometimes while pulling into a parking space, driveway or garage, and in some accounts while driving at highway speed with the pedal stuck down. Drivers say braking did not stop the acceleration and that they shut off the ignition, shifted to neutral or used the parking brake. Several owners report the dealer could not duplicate the condition or found no fault. Reported from very low mileage (under 5,000 in several complaints) up to around 150,000 miles, at both low speed and highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the throttle pedal feel and return, and ask whether the accelerator pedal sensor assembly has ever been inspected or replaced. A service bulletin covers inspection and installation of the accelerator pedal sensor assembly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car accelerates at a high rate with little pressure on gas. It seems to happen at random times when the car is warm. I could be stopped at a red light then have it happen when the light turns and I step on the gas. It also has happened when accelerating while still moving ie: taking a corner while slowing then stepping on the gas once I have straightened out.”

   NHTSA complaint #10371178, filed 2010-12, 101,500 miles

   “In a parking lot, picking up a friend. Went to drive her home. As I depressed the gas pedal, it suddenly floored itself, engine roared, and the car being in drive, lurched forward towards a row of parked cars. I quickly put the car in reverse, but the car then lurched backwards..... Quickly shifted into neutral and killed the engine. Asked my friend to get out of the car. Started the engine, which continued to roar ar high RPM. I then pumped the pedal a few times, and the rar and RPM's subsided. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10447672, filed 2012-02, 41,473 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy or airbag warning light stays on

   • 96 complaints (10%)
   • median 60,290 mi at 7.4 yrs old (56 state mileage)
   • 69 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,800 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2024

   Owners report frontal or side airbags failing to deploy in collisions, and in other cases an airbag warning light staying on with no crash history, which some say left them unsure whether the system would work. Some complaints describe the airbag light coming on in hot weather or after battery or wiring issues. Recalls for this model year cover curtain side airbags twisted near the inflator, a driver airbag module cover seam, and incomplete front passenger airbag deployment. Reported from around 10,000 to over 170,000 miles, including several at moderate mileage.

   Recall 04V346000Recall 01V372000Recall 01V3060002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm with a dealer whether the airbag recalls for this model year were completed, and check that the airbag warning light goes out after the bulb check at start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchase a 2002 Toyota Camry in august 2003 from reinhart Toyota in montgomery, alabama. The vehicle was certified used with only about 19000 on the odometer. Because it was certified used I assumed that the vehicle had been reviewed to ensure that it had all of its parts and they operated properly. I have driven the vehicle for almost nine years without any major issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10460124, filed 2012-05, 114,000 miles

   “Air bags failed to deploy on a frontal crash that pushed dash into my knees and engine back about 1 ft. I don't think I was injured because I braced the impact. Just whiplash and soreness in arms and knees. The car is currently being stored at the insurance company lot but will be junked in the next few days.”

   NHTSA complaint #10438534, filed 2011-12, 135,600 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss, overheating and stripped head bolts (2.4L)

   • 55 complaints (6%)
   • median 111,000 mi at 11.1 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,250 (median of 16 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2024

   Complaints describe coolant disappearing, overheating and coolant leaking from the rear of the engine, with some owners told the head bolts had stripped out of the block and that a head gasket repair or engine replacement was needed. Several owners cite this as a known issue on the four-cylinder engine and mention the cost of drilling and rethreading the block or replacing the engine. A service bulletin describes a rattle from the engine area on 2002-2004 four-cylinder Camrys related to intake air flow. Typically reported between about 50,000 and 100,000 miles, though some complaints note it at lower mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or leaks at the back of the engine, and ask whether head gasket or head bolt work has been done; a compression or cooling-system pressure test can help.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Three head bolts in the engine have stripped and pulled out of the engine block. The largest consequence of this is a head gasket failure; this also caused coolant loss and overheating, which in turn ruined my radiator. When my mechanic opened up the engine to replace the head gaskets, these faulty bolts were loose and he was able to pull them out by hand without needing wrenches/tools. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10424292, filed 2011-09, 98,000 miles

   “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!!!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10298523, filed 2010-01, 70,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal stops responding or braking feels weak

   • 277 complaints (29%)
   • median 37,216 mi at 3.7 yrs old (187 state mileage)
   • 98 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,100 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2020

   Owners describe occasions where pressing the brake pedal did not slow the car, sometimes at low speed or in a parking lot and sometimes on hills, with a few mentioning pulsation or delayed engagement over bumps. Some report the brake pedal went to the floor or that the car kept moving into an obstacle. Complaints note the dealer could not duplicate the problem, while independent shops in some cases replaced the master cylinder or other hydraulic parts. Mostly reported between roughly 2,000 and 100,000 miles, with many under 40,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for brake service records and have the hydraulic system, pads, calipers and discs inspected on a test drive, including a firm stop from low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a toyora Camry 2002 model. The problem that is currently reported with prius brakes, I have similar problem. Several times I have complained to the dealership in oakbrook, il but I was told that is the way it is designed. Whenever I go over a bump and if hit brakes, it does not engage for a few seconds and actually accelarates. Can someone look at these models that are not recalled yet. This happens periodically not just once.”

   NHTSA complaint #10305046, filed 2010-02, 5,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11340901, filed 2020-07, 70,998 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine stalling and cutting out while driving

   • 49 complaints (5%)
   • median 75,752 mi at 8.2 yrs old (45 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,500 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2024

   Complaints describe the engine quitting at stops, at red lights or while driving at speed, sometimes with the power steering assist going away, and then restarting after a few minutes or only with the throttle held down. Owners report parts replaced without resolving it, and some mention an alternator, battery cable or fuel-related diagnosis; a few describe smoke or fire in the engine bay after a stall. Reported across a wide range, from about 20,000 to over 200,000 miles, with many in the 75,000-115,000 mile range.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask about any stalling history and recent battery, alternator or idle-related repairs; a test drive that includes stops and idling can help reveal a rough or dropping idle. A service bulletin addresses low or rough idle after the battery or ECM power has been disconnected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The 2002 Toyota Camry, purchased used from ray brandt Toyota in august of last year, completely shut down while my mother was driving at highway speeds this past monday. She barely missed a head-on collision, because she was unable to control the car without power steering. I advised her to bring the Camry immediately to ray brandt Toyota?? S service department. She turned it over to them that same afternoon. The next day a service technician was able to duplicate the problem in the shop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10149928, filed 2006-02, 89,230 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10294785, filed 2009-12, 115,000 miles

Buying note. On a used example of this model year, prioritize a thorough test drive covering low-speed maneuvering, braking and idle, and ask for records on airbag recall completion and any cooling-system or head gasket work. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system, brakes and airbag warning light is worthwhile given what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.