MYRModel Year Report

2002 Toyota Camry

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Camry Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 32 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 64 complaints 1989: 113 complaints 1989 1990: 134 complaints 1991: 149 complaints 1992: 565 complaints 1993: 260 complaints 1994: 287 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2002 2003: 780 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 931 complaints 2009: 1289 complaints 2010: 600 complaints 2011: 597 complaints 2012: 587 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 452 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 177 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 726 complaints 2019: 385 complaints 2019 2020: 263 complaints 2021: 153 complaints 2022: 57 complaints 2023: 58 complaints 2024: 45 complaints 2025: 133 complaints 2025
2002: 953 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198632
198758
198864
1989113
1990134
1991149
1992565
1993260
1994287
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008931
20091289
2010600
2011597
2012587
2013274
2014452
2015268
2016177
2017148
2018726
2019385
2020263
2021153
202257
202358
202445
2025133

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 25%

25% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 243 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE BACKING UP, VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED AND ENGINE REVVED. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE AND EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE, BUT COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20011220

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 61 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND CAR JUMP TO THE LEFT, TRIED TO CONTROL THE CAR, BUT LOST CONTROL AND MOVED OUT FROM HWY

NHTSA ODI report, 20021015

ENGINE 6%

6% of complaints: engine — 58 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the steering wheel had seized up and the vehicle had begun to lose forward momentum.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230927

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 57 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The components or systems that have failed are (Catalytic Converter, Exhaust Manifold, Air Bag Control Module, Engine including head gasket) My safety is at risk due to catalytic converter not functioning properly producing harmful carbon monoxide...

NHTSA ODI report, 20240627

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20010913 — tires

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

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 RE

Campaign 01V302000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20011228 — air bags

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 COV

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 R

Campaign 01V372000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 953
I 20021022 — PE (closed 20030318)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

I 20040303 — PE (closed 20040722)

THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

R 20040806 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 04V346000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050805 — DP (closed 20060105)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I 20060914 — DP (closed 20070403)

ENGINE SURGING

R Date not on file — air bags

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

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.

Campaign 01V306000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (243 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (61 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 01V306000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V302000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V372000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V346000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2009 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Toyota Camry reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Toyota Camry is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Camry?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Camry have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.