MYRModel Year Report

2002 Toyota Camry

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-09-02

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: 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 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2002 2003: 780 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1293 complaints 2010: 602 complaints 2011: 598 complaints 2012: 589 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 180 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 736 complaints 2019: 392 complaints 2019 2020: 270 complaints 2021: 154 complaints 2022: 58 complaints 2023: 62 complaints 2024: 47 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
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008933
20091293
2010602
2011598
2012589
2013274
2014455
2015268
2016180
2017148
2018736
2019392
2020270
2021154
202258
202362
202447
2025146

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 30%

30% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 282 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

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 19%

19% of complaints: service brakes — 178 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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 VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI report, 20180314

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, 20120710

Also filed under STRUCTURE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 110 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20120427

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 TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20021107

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, 20011115

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 91 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

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

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 68 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

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 (282 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (178 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (110 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 ▲ 1987

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 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Camry have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.