2002 Toyota Camry Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 107about this part
- Share
- 11%of 953 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,630miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 107 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Toyota Camry, 11% of the 953 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,630 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After waiting in line at a fast food outlet for about five minutes, my Toyota Camry's engine suddenly accelerated to very high rpms. Only my quick reaction to apply the brakes as hard as I could kept us from hitting the car ahead. The passenger reacted by pulling the emergency brake. Shutting off the ignition stopped the engine. It restarted normally and seemed to be fine.”
NHTSA complaint #10423389, filed 2011-08, 78,000 miles“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“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10264444, filed 2009-04, 147,363 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10302896, filed 2010-01, 75,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10273010, filed 2009-06, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10131821Apr 18, 2014Some 2002 ? 2004 model year non-PZEV Camry vehicles with the 2AZ-FE engine may exhibit the following condition: A rattle noise from the engine area, most noticeable at idle or on…
- 10061567Apr 23, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10037592Mar 2, 2011Toyota: there may be damaged cylinder head bolts threads.
- 10034197Feb 10, 2010Toyota: engine conrol. Some vehicles may exhibit a mil on condition with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0500-vehicle speed sensor a. The engine control module/ecm (sae term…
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
- 10060722Apr 15, 2008Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10021542Apr 6, 20072az-fe engine block.
- 10020014Apr 11, 2006M.I.l. On dtc p0440, p0441, p0442, p0446, and/or p0456 - fuel filler tube improvement.
- 10015807May 24, 2004Excessive sulfur dioxide odor on vehicles equipped with the 2az-fe engine when stop and go driving and/or heavy acceleration.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 9 | 2% |
| 2010 | 15 | 2% |
| 2009 | 46 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 1% |
| 2007 | 152 | 5% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 35 | 5% |
| 2004 | 30 | 5% |
| 2003 | 112 | 14% |
| 2002 | 107 | 11% |
| 2001 | 47 | 17% |
| 2000 | 54 | 12% |
| 1999 | 110 | 22% |
| 1998 | 92 | 15% |
| 1997 | 96 | 17% |
| 1996 | 76 | 18% |
| 1995 | 34 | 11% |
| 1994 | 41 | 14% |
| 1993 | 40 | 15% |
| 1992 | 32 | 6% |
| 1991 | 10 | 7% |
| 1990 | 14 | 10% |
| 1989 | 7 | 6% |
| 1988 | 9 | 14% |
| 1987 | 6 | 10% |
| 1986 | 4 | 13% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Camry
281 complaintsBrakes
173 complaintsAir bags
89 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
68 complaintsEngine
58 complaintsBody and structure
56 complaintsTires
54 complaintsSteering
43 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsSuspension
34 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
31 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Camry
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology