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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,533 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Toyota Camry drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2002 Toyota Camry Owner Comments

problem #15

Mar 042020

Camry

  • 220,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car is experiencing sudden acceleration it is lunging forward. The last occurrence was around 20 minutes ago, it has happened to two family members so far, while driving no extra pressure on the gas the car suddenly accelerate.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #14

Dec 212014

Camry 6-cyl

  • 117,000 miles
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 Camry are generally considered reliable and have a longer life of 200K plus. Maybe a manufacturing defect?

- Folsom, CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 042014

Camry

  • miles
Car was having problems with acceleration(sluggish) and would die when car came to a stop. Mostly happened when exiting highways, then happened during normal driving. The car would idle very roughly and die if gas pedal wasn't depressed. If car sat for a while, then it would start up and run just fine. Had it into the shop several times, but unless the problem was currently happening, it couldn't be diagnosed. The problem is the idol throttle body(seems like there are many many complaints about this part). The cost of the part was $1014.45(ridiculous). Labor $68. What's going on? Toyota is failing to provide a good quality product and I have lost confidence in their product. Look into this matter. People's lives are at stake, especially if people don't realize you are stalled and run into you. I've been scared for my life several times.

- Glendale Heights, IL, USA

problem #12

Aug 012014

Camry 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ignition key was removed with transmission in drive and ignition switch not in off position. This has now happened at least twice.

- West Orange, NJ, USA

problem #11

Dec 142012

Camry 4-cyl

  • 86,415 miles
On December 14, 2012, at about 7:20 am, my spouse, [xxx] got into the driver's seat of the above described 2002 Toyota Camry, which was parked on our driveway. After fastening her seat belt and then checking behind to make sure our street was free of pedestrians and bike riders, my spouse placed her right foot firmly on the brake and shifted the automatic transmission lever from "park" to "reverse" the Toyota Camry instantly accelerated backwards at a high rate of speed. And hit a tree on my across the street neighbor's lawn, fortunately, the car stopped before hitting my neighbor's garage door because the passenger side front wheel dug itself into the lawn and the front wheel drive lost traction in a manner similar to what one expect when one drives into heavy snow. The total time elapsed during the sudden unintended acceleration was less than two seconds. The distance traveled during the sudden unintended acceleration was extremely short. The tree was located about 57 feet from the rear end of the car and the total distance that the car traveled was only 72 feet.. my spouse was terrified by the experience but, fortunately, she was not physically injured. I had to call aaa to come with a tow truck. Aaa extracted the car from the lawn's soft earth by the use of a chain attached to the back of the truck. The trunk lid was severely damaged and the parking paw within the transaxle assembly was broken.. I am a retired nys professional engineer. I can prove that the sua incident was caused by a defect in the firmware (software) in the electronic control module within the Camry. I filed a 48 page brief objecting to the us court recent Toyota economic loss lawsuit. It is available on the pacer system. I specifically requested that all 2002 through 2006 Toyota Camry cars be recalled by Toyota and equipped with applicable brake override systems.. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

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problem #10

Jun 192013

Camry 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Harsh/hard/delayed shifting between 2nd and 3rd or 2nd and 4th (overdrive) on 1mz-fe V6 engine due to faulty engine control module failing to regulate transmission solenoids properly. This issue occurred on the ECM on rav4 (same year, 2002) and resulted in settlement in which Toyota agreed to repair all.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #9

Apr 192013

Camry 4-cyl

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle was stopped and putting in drive, car accelerated and crashed through garage door and brick frame on 4/19/13 at approximately 11:50am for unknown reason.

- Franklin, WI, USA

problem #8

Nov 232012

Camry

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while parked, the gear shifter released from parked position and caused the vehicle to roll backwards into to the garage door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic. The VIN was not available. In addition, the contact mentioned that the vehicle doors lock activated independently, althought the trunk was open. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 97,000.

- Strodwood , OH, USA

problem #7

Aug 272012

Camry

  • 122,000 miles
Car was parked on flat road, then started. Brake pedal was pressed and car was put into drive. When brake pedal was released, car was propelled in reverse. After double and triple checking that car was actually in forward gear (via indicator on dash). The car continued to go backwards. After shifting the car into park, (shutting engine off) and retrying identical sequence of events, car behaved normally, moving in forward direction. Fortunately, car had been parked parallel to curb with no cars around it, and the problem was fealized before the accelerator was pressed, so no accident, injury or damage occurred. In any other scenario, damage or injury may have resulted.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #6

Jun 222010

Camry 6-cyl

  • miles
2002 Toyota Camry. Consumer states problem with bucking and hesitation the dealer did note the transmission fluid had a slight metallic odor.

- Camp Hill, PA, USA

problem #5

Mar 022010

(reported on)

Camry 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2002 Toyota Camry delayed acceleration the consumer stated the problem was delayed acceleration when the pedal was depressed. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told at the time, the problem was due to the vehicle's computer program and there was nothing they could do. Updated 03/08/10

- Bala Cynwyd, PA, USA

problem #4

Apr 272006

Camry

  • 40,000 miles
On Thursday, April 27, 2006, my 2002 Toyota Camry had unintended acceleration at the sherton palo alto. When entering he parking lot, the car accelerated with engine racing and crashed through the parking lot barrier. The hotel graciously repaired the barrier at their expense. This incident has not been reported previously. This in the only incident to date. A second safety issue is the transmission "lurch" my car has. I tried to have it corrected by Toyota, but they refused, saying that it would be too costly for Toyota to fix the transmission problem. Went to mediation who agreed with Toyota. The problem continues.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 072009

Camry

  • 57,000 miles
In August 2009 my 2002 Toyota accelerated into reverse while backing out of my parking space causing a bad accident. I brought it to my Toyota dealer. They told me nothing was wrong.

- North Wales, PA, USA

problem #2

Dec 152002

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles
At 1,500 miles the check engine light went on. I brought the car to the dealer on November 8, 2002 and was told that nothing was wrong with the car and they reset the computer. The car was fine until I arrived at home and the check engine light was on again. I brought the car to the dealer on November 11th and they said they didn't know what was wrong with the car. They were going to remove the transmission but needed a part. It is now November 25th and the part still hasn't arrived and the car hasn't been repaired.

- Holmdel, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jun 272002

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75 miles
I have a 2002 Toyota Camry xle, since I got the car new it started to lunge several times while sitting at stop lights/signs. I went to two different Toyota dealers and was told that the car is running as manufactured. I said this can cause an accident. They said nothing was wrong. Also, since I bought the car new it wants to stall when coming to a stop. Again, no dealer will help. Something is wrong but the dealers won't help. I do not have time to keep running to dealers, that is why I bought a new car. There is a definite problem with these cars. As times goes by, it's getting worse, especially in warm weather conditions.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

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