2002 Toyota Camry Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 7%of 953 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Toyota Camry, 7% of the 953 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission failure. I am surprised that a car with just 117k miles could have a transmission failure. I was parked at a stop light and when it turned green my car just stopped moving. I showed my car to multiple auto shops and they say they are have seen this issue with 2002 Camry xle and not sure why since camrys are generally considered reliable and have a longer life of 200k plus. Maybe a manufacturing defect?”
NHTSA complaint #10670853, filed 2015-01, 117,000 miles“My 2002 Toyota Camry accelerated suddenly as I was turning into a parking lot causing me to hit a parked car.. The car that was hit was totaled & my car had 3400.00 worth of damage. At the time of the incident in sept. 2009 I did not know that Toyota's were having a problem. Now in light of the recent recalls I believe my car has an acceleration problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10312613, filed 2010-02, 90,000 miles“Twice on start-up I had the engine race, sounding like a jet revving up. Last time was as I parked in the garage after using the car it revved up sounding again like a jet starting up. I thought someone or some thing had come up behind me in driveway. Dates were approximately oct. 2008 and nov. 2009. Car has under 45,000 actual miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10317618, filed 2010-03, 35,000 miles“2002 Toyota Camry. Car will not accelerate in temperatures 40 degrees or less. I have spoke with the dealer who says that they have numerous complaints about this issue. I offered to send articles from consumer magazines and they state that they already have been sent info. From at least 10 times different customers.”
NHTSA complaint #10173029, filed 2006-11, 40,000 miles“In jan. 2002 I bought a 2002 v6 Toyota Camry with auto transmission. I noted that on level surfaces at a constant speed of +/- 50 MPH it would shift randomly between 3rd and 4th. On slick road surfaces there was a momentary loss of control. I reported to my Toyota dealer who for months denied the problem. Then Toyota announced a reprogramming of the computer. I got this, but it made no improvement. I reported to Toyota USA, and to NHTSA, but there was no action.”
NHTSA complaint #10313625, filed 2010-02, 1,500 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
- 10061578Jun 13, 2011Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 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…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 6% |
| 2023 | 7 | 11% |
| 2022 | 7 | 11% |
| 2021 | 12 | 8% |
| 2020 | 33 | 12% |
| 2019 | 115 | 29% |
| 2018 | 200 | 27% |
| 2017 | 6 | 4% |
| 2016 | 18 | 10% |
| 2015 | 36 | 13% |
| 2014 | 128 | 28% |
| 2013 | 67 | 24% |
| 2012 | 142 | 24% |
| 2011 | 49 | 8% |
| 2010 | 46 | 8% |
| 2009 | 51 | 4% |
| 2008 | 40 | 4% |
| 2007 | 266 | 9% |
| 2006 | 18 | 6% |
| 2005 | 84 | 12% |
| 2004 | 48 | 8% |
| 2003 | 40 | 5% |
| 2002 | 68 | 7% |
| 2001 | 15 | 6% |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% |
| 1999 | 18 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 3% |
| 1997 | 35 | 6% |
| 1996 | 21 | 5% |
| 1995 | 25 | 8% |
| 1994 | 21 | 7% |
| 1993 | 29 | 11% |
| 1992 | 18 | 3% |
| 1991 | 8 | 5% |
| 1990 | 8 | 6% |
| 1989 | 6 | 5% |
| 1988 | 9 | 14% |
| 1987 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 2 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Camry
281 complaintsBrakes
173 complaintsEngine cooling
107 complaintsAir bags
89 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 31, 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