MYRModel Year Report

2002 Toyota Camry

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
953
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Vehicle speed control

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2002: 953 complaints 2002 953 2003: 781 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2010: 603 complaints 2011: 599 complaints 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 182 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2022: 60 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1992 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1998 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2002: 953 complaints 2002 953 2003: 781 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2010: 603 complaints 2010 2011: 599 complaints 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 182 complaints 2016 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2022: 60 complaints 2022 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1987 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1991 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1993 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1997 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 1999 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2002: 953 complaints 2002 953 2003: 781 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2005 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2009 2010: 603 complaints 2011: 599 complaints 2011 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2015 2016: 182 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2017 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2021 2022: 60 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2023 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025

2002: 953 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198633
198758
198869
1989117
1990136
1991155
1992569
1993263
1994306
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003781
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072,886
2008933
20091,293
2010603
2011599
2012590
2013274
2014455
2015269
2016182
2017148
2018745
2019396
2020274
2021156
202260
202364
202451
2025146

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Vehicle speed control

30% · 282 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2001-12-20

Service brakes

19% · 178 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driving on the freeway, check engine light came on, smoke coming out of the hood, brakes and emergency brake failed, vehicle accelerated on its own (No pedals were working), car crashed and fire engulfed the…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-14

My son was making a left turn off brown rd onto amber glen dr in charlotte, nc when the cars steering wheel locked up causing the car to go out of control. When he tried to press the brakes to stop the car it would not stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-10

Also filed under Structure

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 110 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact was driving 70 MPH when a burning smell emitted inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the head gasket needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-27

Consumer enter the parked vehicle turned on ignition and consumer states' vehicle took off, consumer tried to stop vehicle would not stop, vehicle came to a stop after hitting a fire plug. Please provide any further information…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-07

While driving there was smoke coming from vehicle. When consumer saw smoke stopped vehicle, and then vehicle caught on fire in engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-11-15

Air bags

10% · 91 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2024-06-27

Power train

7% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2001-09-13Tires01V302000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2001-12-28Air bags01V372000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 953 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. I
    2002-10-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-18 Engine compartment fire
  5. I
    2004-03-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-07-22 Throttle control system
  6. R
    2004-08-06Air bags04V346000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2005-08-05Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-05 Vehicle speed control
  8. I
    2006-09-14Defect petitionClosed 2007-04-03 Engine surging
  9. R
    Date not on fileAir bags01V306000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 282 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 178 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 110 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V306000 · Air bags
  • Recall 01V302000 · Tires
  • Recall 01V372000 · Air bags
  • Recall 04V346000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Camry have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.