2002 Toyota Camry problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (242) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (46) · Engine (46)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Camry model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
610 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (194)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 194 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-14 · Air Bags“see attached document for complaint.…”
2025-08-18 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 283,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2002 toyota camry. the contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000. it was later discovered that the mileage on the title was 283,000.…”
2024-08-29 · Engine“toyota dealer contacted me; said my car will cost $15000 to fix. he said people at toyota who has my exact car costed $15000 to fix! it’s known in automotive circles this year make model & engine size has this factory defect of the rear head studs stripping out and becoming loose. this causes combustion failure of the head gasket and engine blo…”
2024-06-27 · Engine“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 that can be smelled through air vents, air bag control module not functioning which will not able to …”
2023-09-27 · Steering · 180,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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. the contact heard an abnormal "popping" sound at the moment the steering had stopped functionality. the contact stated she was not aware of any warning lights. the conta…”
2023-07-17 · Visibility · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. the contact stated that while parked, the sunroof shattered from the center of the glass. the contact stated that because of the failure, the contact was treated for a concussion. the contact stated that there was no impact on the sunroof prior to the failure. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle…”
2023-05-23 · Seat Belts“the drivers side seat belt even tho put in the position of “locked in” it comes out or doesn’t latch at all. …”
2023-04-10 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“the electrical/switch inside the passenger side door caught on fire, with out warning, while driving. there was a passenger in the vehicle at the time. driver pulled over when smoke was visible. flames were soon visible, driver poured water on the flames in effort to extinguish the fire. flames were reduced but the door began to melt and the window…”
2023-01-10 · Air Bags“my passenger side dash airbag is bloating and tearing at the seam. it is available for inspection. i am concerned that it will continue to add pressure and eventually deploy. it seems unsafe for passengers -would it work properly in the case of an accident? and for myself as the driver, it would certainly startle me while driving if it deployed b…”
2022-08-16 · Unknown Or Other“i did the texas inspection test, and my vehicle failed the test, and the report with catalyst, evap, and o2 sens was not completed. i'm wondering what is the problem and how i can fix it. i would like to have my vehicle get checked out and find the problem.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.