VehicleVerdict

2002 Toyota Camry problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,183 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median Camry year — the 2002 model ranks #3 of 42 Camry years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 15 deaths and 173 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (282), brakes (178), and engine (168), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

1,183

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

324

Crash-involved

24

Fires reported

173

Injuries

15

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Camry years?

Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted3,670 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 35 complaints1987: 70 complaints1988: 88 complaints1989: 138 complaints1990: 160 complaints1991: 186 complaints1992: 646 complaints1993: 334 complaints1994: 364 complaints1995: 373 complaints1996: 567 complaints1997: 685 complaints1998: 751 complaints1999: 661 complaints2000: 577 complaints2001: 356 complaints2002: 1,183 complaints2003: 946 complaints2004: 799 complaints2005: 905 complaints2006: 393 complaints2007: 3,670 complaints2008: 1,140 complaints2009: 1,616 complaints2010: 766 complaints2011: 781 complaints2012: 810 complaints2013: 377 complaints2014: 640 complaints2015: 362 complaints2016: 253 complaints2017: 206 complaints2018: 1,093 complaints2019: 565 complaints2020: 386 complaints2021: 196 complaints2022: 88 complaints2023: 93 complaints2024: 72 complaints
Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Toyota Camry problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control28224%
Brakes17815%
Engine16814%
Airbags918%
Transmission686%
Tires & Wheels615%
Body & Structure585%
Electrical System464%
Steering434%
Fuel System393%
Suspension343%
Other323%
Latches & Locks313%
Visibility & Wipers202%
Seat Belts91%
Seats91%
Lighting81%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)30%
Child Seat30%

Does the 2002 Toyota Camry have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V346000AirbagsJuly 13, 2004 · 128,316 units

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.

Consequence

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.

01V372000AirbagsDecember 11, 2001 · 19,587 units

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.

Consequence

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.

01V302000Tires & WheelsOctober 1, 2001 · 19 units

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.

Consequence

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.

01V306000AirbagsSeptember 25, 2001 · 2 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED PARALLEL TO THE CURB. WITH THE DRIVERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD, THROUGHOUT THE INTERSECTION, OVER A CURB INCREASING IN SPEED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 29, 2003 · crash

“WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 30, 2004 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SMOKED WAS EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD DEVELOPED A CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 19, 2011 · fire

“I WAS ON A RAMP TO I-520 AT A SPEED BETWEEN 45-50 MILES.HR AND THE RAMP IS STRAIGHT. SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST CONTROL AND SPINNING - FINALLY, I NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IS FLAT. THE PROBLEM IS THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED THOUGH THE FRONT (BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT) HIT THE CONCRETE WALL BADLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 4, 2014 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 3, 2009 · crash

2002 Toyota Camry — common questions

Is the 2002 Toyota Camry reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,183 complaints put the 2002 model at #3 of 42 Camry years. It is one of the Camry years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Camry problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (282 complaints), brakes (178 complaints), engine (168 complaints).

Does the 2002 Toyota Camry have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Toyota Camry under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Camry years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camry years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2004, 2011, 2010, 1998, 1997, 1999, 1992, 2014, 2000, 1995. The cleanest record among Camry years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.