Toyota Camry Complaints (2002)

953 consumer complaints on file.

#10460124May 31, 2012
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN AUGUST 2003 FROM REINHART TOYOTA IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. THE VEHICLE WAS CERTIFIED USED WITH ONLY ABOUT 19000 ON THE ODOMETER. BECAUSE IT WAS CERTIFIED USED I ASSUMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REVIEWED TO ENSURE THAT IT HAD ALL OF ITS PARTS AND THEY OPERATED PROPERLY. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS WITHOUT ANY MAJOR ISSUES. ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE GOT HOT BUT I DID NOT TAKE IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THAT TIME. UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB HOWARD TOYOTA IN EDMOND, OKLAHOMA TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE (WHICH WAS MY THIRD TIME REPLACING IT) DURING THIS TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THE TECHNICIAN CHECK OUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN CONDUCTED THEIR REVIEW THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THEY INSTALLED RESISTORS TO KEEP THE AIRBAG LIGHT FROM COMING ON TO WARNING ME ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS GAVE ME A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY BY INTENTIONALLY FALSIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO EARN A PROFIT, THEREFORE ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. IF THE LIGHT WOULD HAVE COME ON BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE ASKED ABOUT IT BUT IT DID NOT. IF THEY SELL A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE AND THEY MENTION THAT IT HAS DUAL-SIDE AIRBAGS, THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE COMPANY LYING TO THEM ABOUT IT. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT NINE YEARS WITH THE ASSUMPTION I HAD DUAL AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE TO RECENTLY FIND OUT THAT I BEEN LIED TO FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS. NOW, I AM BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED DURING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS UNFAIR HAVE THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSES MISTAKE. THEY ARE NOW REFUSING TO CORRECT THE MISTAKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456681April 27, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453573March 30, 2012
TIRES
I BOUGHT 4 NEW PIRELLI CINTURATO P5 TIRES FOR MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN FEBRUARY OF 2010 FROM DISCOUNT TIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT THESE TIRES THEY EASILY LAST FOR 85,000 MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE THEM. SINCE THEN I GONE BACK TO DISCOUNT TIRE TO HAVE THEM REGULARLY ROTATED AND BALANCED. LAST TIRE ROTATION WAS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2011. WHEN I WENT TO GET MY TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AGAIN ON 3-23-2012, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO OF THE TIRES ARE ALREADY WORN OUT AND OTHER TWO ARE CLOSE TO GETTING WORN OUT AND I WOULD BE BETTER OFF TO GET NEW TIRES TO KEEP ME SAFE WHILE DRIVING. I INFORMED THE SALES PERSONNEL THAT THESE TIRES ARE JUST TWO YEARS OLD AND WITH LESS THAN 27,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASED. HE MENTIONED TO ME THAT TIRES MANY A TIMES DO NOT GIVE THE MILEAGE THEY ARE RATED FOR. IN MY CASE, I GOT LESS THAN 1/3RD OF THE RATED MILEAGE. WITH MY DRIVING PATTERN (12,000 MILES/YEAR), I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THESE TIRES TO LAST FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS AS I TAKE GOOD CARE (ROTATING, BALANCING, AND ALIGNMENT) OF THEM. WITH MY DRIVING PATTERN (12,000 MILES/YEAR), I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THESE TIRES TO LAST FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS AS I TAKE GOOD CARE (ROTATING, BALANCING, AND ALIGNMENT) OF THEM. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447672February 12, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IN A PARKING LOT, PICKING UP A FRIEND. WENT TO DRIVE HER HOME. AS I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, IT SUDDENLY FLOORED ITSELF, ENGINE ROARED, AND THE CAR BEING IN DRIVE, LURCHED FORWARD TOWARDS A ROW OF PARKED CARS. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, BUT THE CAR THEN LURCHED BACKWARDS..... QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND KILLED THE ENGINE. ASKED MY FRIEND TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. STARTED THE ENGINE, WHICH CONTINUED TO ROAR AR HIGH RPM. I THEN PUMPED THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES, AND THE RAR AND RPM'S SUBSIDED. I MOTIONED TO MY FRIEND TO GET IN, AND SLOWLY DROVE HOME. IMMEDIATELY CALLED A NEABY TOYOTA DEALER. ARRANGEMENT WERE MADE AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY, FEB. 6, 2012 ( I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.) [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446822February 6, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
RADIATOR/OIL COOLER COPPER NIPPLE DISINTEGRATED CAUSING LOSS OF OIL. PART THAT FAILED IS ORIGINAL PART OF VEHICLE. THE NUT HOLDING THE NIPPLE RUSTED AND CRUMBLED CAUSING THE OIL COOLER HOSE TO SEPARATE FROM THE OIL COOLER. CAR HAS NEVER HAD FRONT END OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445948January 30, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND HAVE MAJOR DAMAGE TO CYLINDER BLOCK WITH STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS. COST IS APPROX $4700 TO REPAIR. I TALKED TO EXECUTIVE OFFICES AT TOYOTA THEY WILL NOT HELP. ALSO HAS CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE. PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.CAMRYFORUMS.COM/FORUM/GENERAL-TECH-8/2002-STRIPPED-HEAD-BOLTS-4585/ AND CHECK OUT THE "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB2740. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444479January 19, 2012
STEERING
I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY 3 YEARS AGO AT 115,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 205,000 AS OF THE DATE OF THIS LETTER. LAST SPRING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN COLD WEATHER AND THERE WAS A SQEAKING NOISE BEHIND OR AROUND MY STEERING WHEEL SO I REPLACED THE PUMP. IT WARMED UP, SO I COULDN'T TEST THE RESULT. THIS WINTER, THE PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE AND UNSAFE, SO IT WASN'T THAT. AFTER NEARLY HITTING A CAR BECAUSE I COULD HARDLY COME OUT OF MY TURN, I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 1/17/12. THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY WOULD START BY REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT FOR $510, BUT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE IT. I ASKED 5 OTHER MECHANICS WHO SAID THAT IT CAN'T BE THAT IF IT ONLY OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER, SO I TOLD THEM NOT TO DO ANYTHING. I'M BRINGING IT BACK TO MY TOWN TO HAVE OTHERS LOOK AT IT AND FIX IT. MOST OF THEM FEEL IT IS THE RACK, OR, JUST GOO'D UP POWER STEERING FLUID, WHICH THEY WILL START WITH, AT A COST OF ONLY $50 TO DRAIN AND REFILL. I HAVE HAD RACK QUOTES OF $880. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND I PLAN TO KEEP IT FOR 500,000 MILES. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444548January 19, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438534December 5, 2011
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON A FRONTAL CRASH THAT PUSHED DASH INTO MY KNEES AND ENGINE BACK ABOUT 1 FT. I DON'T THINK I WAS INJURED BECAUSE I BRACED THE IMPACT. JUST WHIPLASH AND SORENESS IN ARMS AND KNEES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING STORED AT THE INSURANCE COMPANY LOT BUT WILL BE JUNKED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10437909November 30, 2011
STEERING
STEERING BECAME HARD AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO A STRAIGHT POSITION. THIS RESULTED IN A NEAR PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433449November 1, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS MECHANIC WANTED TO CHARGE HIM AN ADDITIONAL $3,450 TO PERFORM VALVE WORK AND OTHER REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING TIME, A PLUME OF EXHAUST SMOKE COULD VISIBLY BE SEEN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425717September 16, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP WHERE THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,398. UPDATED 10/27/11*LJ UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10424292September 8, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THREE HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE HAVE STRIPPED AND PULLED OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE LARGEST CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS A HEAD GASKET FAILURE; THIS ALSO CAUSED COOLANT LOSS AND OVERHEATING, WHICH IN TURN RUINED MY RADIATOR. WHEN MY MECHANIC OPENED UP THE ENGINE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS, THESE FAULTY BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THEM OUT BY HAND WITHOUT NEEDING WRENCHES/TOOLS. THE TOTAL COST OF THE FIX, WHICH INCLUDED DRILLING OUT AND RETAPPING THE BOLT HOLES, REPAIRING/RESURFACING HEADS, INSTALLING NEW HEAD GASKETS AND INSTALLING A NEW RADIATOR EXCEEDED $3500; THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WAS BUYING A NEW/RECONDITIONED ENGINE FOR $7000+. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THIS LINE OF CARS HAS DEFECTIVE HEAD BOLTS. MY 2002 CAMRY XLE HAD ABOUT 98,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME, WHICH IS NOT A LOT BY TOYOTA STANDARDS. WHILE SEARCHING INTERNET FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES (ESPECIALLY CAMRYS FROM 2002 TO 2005) THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT BOLTS FAIL ON THEIR ENGINES, LEADING TO BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424167September 7, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS LOSING COOLANT IN MY SYSTEM SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THE HEAD BOLTS ON MY ENGINE HAD BECOME STRIPPED AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE PUT IN. I PAID FOR THAT REPAIR AND NOW TWO YEARS LATER I AM HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT STRIPPED THREADS ARE VERY COMMON IN 2002-2008 CAMRYS. IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS NOT BEING ARRANGED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423389August 29, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER WAITING IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD OUTLET FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, MY TOYOTA CAMRY'S ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO VERY HIGH RPMS. ONLY MY QUICK REACTION TO APPLY THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD KEPT US FROM HITTING THE CAR AHEAD. THE PASSENGER REACTED BY PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION STOPPED THE ENGINE. IT RESTARTED NORMALLY AND SEEMED TO BE FINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420282August 17, 2011
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE
2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID FLOOR BECAME WET DUE TO ROOF DRAIN HOSES BECOMING DISCONNECTED FROM DRAIN PAN. CONSUMER FEELS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER ALSO FOUND A TSB ISSUED IN APRIL 2011. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420188August 13, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS OF ITS LIFE, THE CAMRY HAD A STALLING PROBLEM. IT WOULD RIDE OK FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS IT WOULD STALL OUT FREQUENTLY. ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE. STALLING OCCURRED MOSTLY WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT AFTER COMING OFF A HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD START AGAIN, AND THEN STALL REPEATEDLY AT EVERY RED LIGHT OR OTHER EVENT THAT INVOLVED SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING. AFTER ENDURING THE STALLING PROBLEM FOR MANY MONTHS, ON 6/19/09 WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR MECHANIC. THEY SAID THE STALLING MIGHT BE CAUSED BY A STICKING VALVE OR THE IDLE CONTROL MOTOR, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN 8/20/09 AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, WHICH SEEMED TO HELP. BY SPRING 2010 THE PROBLEM WAS BACK. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC 5/21/10 AND THIS TIME THEY CLEANED OUT EGR ASSEMBLY AND CHECKED ALL VACUUM LINES. CAR STILL STALLED SO 6/26/10 WE TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING PROBLEM AND SAID THAT NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED, WE SHOULD BRING IT DIRECTLY TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER. ON 7/20/10, OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE CAMRY. AS BEFORE, WHEN HE WAS DRIVING AT A HIGHER, STEADIER SPEED, THE CAR WAS OK. WHEN HE SLOWED DOWN TO PARK IN A PARKING GARAGE, THE STALLING PROBLEM RECURRED. TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO RESTART, HE STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE ENGINE ENGAGED. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SLAMMED INTO A WALL INSIDE THE PARKING GARAGE. IT WAS TOTALED. WE BELIEVE THERE WAS A FUNDAMENTAL MANUFACTURING FLAW IN OUR CAMRY THAT RESULTED IN THE REPEATED STALLING. WE NOTE OTHER TOYOTA PRODUCTS BEING RECALLED FOR STALLING PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS RECALLS FOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA BUT THEY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO WITHOUT EXAMINING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY, BUT BY THAT TIME THE CAR HAD BEEN SENT TO A SALVAGE YARD.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10414671July 22, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN 2008 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 08-29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR TWO SEPERATE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ABNORMAL ACCELERATION. UPDATED 06/15/2012 *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413199July 17, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2002 CAMRY LE WITH 153,000 SUFFERED FAILURE OF CATALYST AND CHARCOAL CANISTER AT TIME OF STATE INSPECTION. THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE OF THE CATALYST SINCE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. DEALER SAID THAT CATALYST IS ONLY WARRANTIED FOR ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF INSTALLATION AND GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF MORE THAN $1700 TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. CONTACT WITH TOYOTA CONCERNING THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WAS A COMPLETE AND TOTAL WASTE OF TIME. VEHICLE TAKEN TO PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED REPAIRS WITH CONFORMING NON OEM PARTS CARRYING BETTER WARRANTIES AT HALF THE PRICE QUOTED BY DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410924July 7, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING COMPANY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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