FaultScore

2002 Toyota Camry transmission problems

68 of the 1,183 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Camry are about the transmission — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 40,000 miles.

D

68

Complaints

11

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 43 63.2%
Power Train 15 22.1%
Manual Transmission 4 5.9%
Floor Shift 2 2.9%
Axle Assembly 1 1.5%
Cooling Unit AND Lines 1 1.5%
Clutch Assembly 1 1.5%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 1 1.5%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Toyota Camry year

1988 10 0.6%
1992 21 1.2%
1993 33 1.9%
1994 21 1.2%
1995 25 1.5%
1996 23 1.3%
1997 37 2.2%
1998 16 0.9%
1999 19 1.1%
2000 36 2.1%
2001 15 0.9%
2002 68 4.0%
2003 40 2.3%
2004 49 2.9%
2005 87 5.1%
2006 19 1.1%
2007 269 15.7%
2008 40 2.3%
2009 52 3.0%
2010 46 2.7%
2011 49 2.9%
2012 143 8.3%
2013 67 3.9%
2014 128 7.5%
2015 36 2.1%
2016 19 1.1%
2018 191 11.1%
2019 112 6.5%
2020 32 1.9%
2021 11 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 220,000 miles Carlsbad, CA

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11316195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 192,342 miles King City, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE. IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I HAD IT IN REVERSE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT ENGAGED. I SLOWLY DROVE A COUPLE BLOCKS TO ROSSI'S AUTO SERVICE AND LEFT IT FOR THE WEEKEND. I LEARNED IT WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SIGN ANYWHERE OF ANY LEAKAGE. I HAD IT SERVICED AT SALINAS TOYOTA ON 01/22/15 FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE FRONT BRAKES. I RETURNED 02/03/15 TO HAVE A FRONT ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLED. ON 02/27/2015 IT WAS MISSING APPROXIMATELY A QUART OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH A FEW MINOR METAL FOUND IN THE DIRTY FLUID. I'VE SPOKEN NUMEROUS TIMES WITH ROSSI'S AND SALINAS TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE SPOKEN TO EACH OTHER. NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WENT. THE SALINAS TOYOTA ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER HAS TRIED TO FIND AN ANSWER BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO. I NEED THIS EXPLAINED OR SOLVED IN ORDER TO FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON BEING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP MAKING SURE I AM SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10701937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Folsom, CA

POWER TRAIN

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 CAMRYS ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED RELIABLE AND HAVE A LONGER LIFE OF 200K PLUS. MAYBE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT?

NHTSA complaint #10670853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale Heights, IL

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10630769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles West Orange, NJ

POWER TRAIN

IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED WITH TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE AND IGNITION SWITCH NOT IN OFF POSITION. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #10627309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,415 miles Delray Beach, FL Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

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).

NHTSA complaint #10535740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Dearborn, MI

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10520968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Franklin, WI Crash

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10510093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Strodwood, OH

POWER TRAIN

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #10486192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Nashua, NH

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10472671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles Mechanicsburg, PA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE HAD TO REACH DOWN AND PULL THE PEDAL UP IN ORDER TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA complaint #10405797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Milpitas, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY. INITIALLY HARD-SHIFTING, THEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS. MILES LATER WHILE CRUISING ON LEVEL GROUND ON THE FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTED (FELT LIKE IT WENT TO NEUTRAL) AND I NEEDED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED AND RE-STARTED CAR. USED A MERGING RAMP TO SAFELY MERGE BACK INTO TRAFFIC. TOYOTA DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LIKE "CHOCOLATE" AND THERE WERE CHUNKS OF METAL IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN. NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ($3300-$4800). CAR WAS LAST SERVICED AT ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER (WONDRIES IN ALHAMBRA, CA) 14,000 MILES AGO AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10378019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Camp Hill, PA

POWER TRAIN

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BUCKING AND HESITATION *TGW THE DEALER DID NOTE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD A SLIGHT METALLIC ODOR.

NHTSA complaint #10340034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,822 miles Joliet, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR INDEPENDENTLY MOVED TO THE DRIVE POSITION BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL AWAY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED AND WHEN SHE RETURNED TO WHERE SHE HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE, IT HAD ROLLED INTO A DIFFERENT PARKING SPOT AND THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR HAD AGAIN MOVED TO THE DRIVE POSITION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WAS LUBRICATED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECUR FOLLOWING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 55,822. UPDATED 07/19/10.*LJ UPDATED 07/26/10

NHTSA complaint #10332148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Surprise, AZ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TWICE ON START-UP I HAD THE ENGINE RACE, SOUNDING LIKE A JET REVVING UP. LAST TIME WAS AS I PARKED IN THE GARAGE AFTER USING THE CAR IT REVVED UP SOUNDING AGAIN LIKE A JET STARTING UP. I THOUGHT SOMEONE OR SOME THING HAD COME UP BEHIND ME IN DRIVEWAY. DATES WERE APPROXIMATELY OCT. 2008 AND NOV. 2009. CAR HAS UNDER 45,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10317618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,800 miles Glendale, AZ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WE HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE WITH A 38, 900 MILES IN THE ODOMETER. AND ON MARCH 4, 2010 MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM A THE GROCERY STORE ASKED ME TO CHECK THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IIS ON. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR FIVE MINUTES WITH THE SPEED OF 10 MILES TO 15 MILES AN HOUR. BEFORE I CAME TO THE STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE START RACING, RPM IS UP THE RED LINE, I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE ROAR. I STEP ON THE BRAKE HARD, SHIFT THE GEAR HARD INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION. I WAS SO LUCKY, I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND THE RIGHT TIME WITH NO TRAFFIC AND KIDS PLAYING ON THE STREET. IF MY WIFE WOULD BE DRIVING AT THAT MOMENT ESPECIALLY SHE IS AN ELDERLY LIKE ME, IT COULD BE BIG ACCIDENT. IT'S A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. I SUGGEST THAT 2002 CAMRY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT. THAT SAME DAY I CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE APPOINTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10317262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bala Cynwyd, PA

POWER TRAIN

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY DELAYED ACCELERATION*CW 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. *JB UPDATED 03/08/10

NHTSA complaint #10315436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles SAN Francisco, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

LAST YEAR MY DAD'S TOYOTA WAS GOING INTO REVERSE ON THE 710 FREEWAY (EASTBOUND TO PARAMOUNT, CA, TO WORK) WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GEAR SHIFT. THIS REALLY FRIGHTENED US. HE TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE THEM THOROUGHLY INSPECT THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD HIM NOTHING WAS WRONG THAT THEY COULD SEE. HE TRIED TO DRIVE IT AGAIN AND IT WAS JUST A SHORT TIME THAT MY DAD'S TOYOTA WAS GOING INTO REVERSE ON THE 710 FREEWAY (EASTBOUND TO PARAMOUNT, CA, TO WORK)WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GEAR SHIFT. AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR!! FRIGHTENED AT THE THOUGHTS OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND SERIOUS THREAT TO MY DAD'S LIFE, HE TRADED IN HIS 2002 CAMRY AND BOUGHT A 2009 COROLLA LAST YEAR - TO SAVE HIS LIFE!! THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO MY DAD'S PROBLEM. HE LOVED THE CAMRY COMPARED TO THE COROLLA AND WOULD NEVER, EVER HAVE SOLD HIS CAR IF HE WEREN'T IN FEAR OF HIS LIFE ON LOS ANGELES FREEWAYS. WE WATCHED THE TESTIFYING OF A LADY IN FRONT OF THE COMMITTEE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SAYING SHE COULDN'T STOP HER CAR FOR 500 FT. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO OUR DAD AND ONLY BY CIRCUMSTANCE, IT DIDN'T. HOWEVER, HE HAD TO BUY A NEW CAR WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY UNNECESSARY. HE IS ON SS AND MEDICARE AND THIS WAS A HORRIFYING AND VERY APPALLING EXPERIENCE AND EXPENSE THAT SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN IN HIS LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #10314991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Santa Rosa, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10314564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Alexandria, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

IN JAN. 2002 I BOUGHT A 2002 V6 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH AUTO TRANSMISSION. I NOTED THAT ON LEVEL SURFACES AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF +/- 50 MPH IT WOULD SHIFT RANDOMLY BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH. ON SLICK ROAD SURFACES THERE WAS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. I REPORTED TO MY TOYOTA DEALER WHO FOR MONTHS DENIED THE PROBLEM. THEN TOYOTA ANNOUNCED A REPROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER. I GOT THIS, BUT IT MADE NO IMPROVEMENT. I REPORTED TO TOYOTA USA, AND TO NHTSA, BUT THERE WAS NO ACTION.

NHTSA complaint #10313625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Norwood, NJ Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AS I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT CAUSING ME TO HIT A PARKED CAR.. THE CAR THAT WAS HIT WAS TOTALED & MY CAR HAD 3400.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT IN SEPT. 2009 I DID NOT KNOW THAT TOYOTA'S WERE HAVING A PROBLEM. NOW IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT RECALLS I BELIEVE MY CAR HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10312613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles North Wales, PA Crash

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10292972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Mission Viejo, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY GOT STUCK IN REVERSE AND ACCELERATED CAUSING A 5 CAR ACCIDENT IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA complaint #10238883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,000 miles Hayesville, KS

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ERRATICALLY SHIFTS. WHILE ACCELERATING UP AN INCLINE AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR, IT FEELS STUCK ON SECOND GEAR AND THEN POPS INTO THIRD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN EITHER NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER OF 2007, BUT THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH A MECHANIC FOR OVER A WEEK, BUT THEY STILL CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000.

NHTSA complaint #10230100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles THE Woodlands, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN THE GEARS SWITCHES IT MAKES THE NOISE. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL NO PROPER FIX. BEEN THIS WAY FORM AT LEAST TWO YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10228094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Independence, KY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING A TRIP TO LEXINGTON, KY ON A SATURDAY. I EXPERIENCED A BAD SHIFT ON ONE OCCASION DURING THAT TRIP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. WAS TOLD THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS GOING BAD. COST TO REPAIR WAS APPROX $800. ELECTED NOT TO REPAIR CAR AT THAT TIME. I HAVE APPROX 127000 MILES ON CAR AND JUST PAID IT OFF LAST DECEMBER. WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THIS VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 25 AND 40 MPH. I PARKED CAR AND BEGAN TO DRIVE MY OLDER VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD GET IT BACK INTO DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON FEB 14 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. I HAD ALL OF COMPLETED TRANSMISSION SERVICES DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED DURING DRIVING AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ME BEING REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE QUALITY OF TOYOTA VEHICLES AS I HAVE READ ABOUT THEIR ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND OTHER PEOPLE WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURES.

NHTSA complaint #10218125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,083 miles Redlands, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. BEGINNING ON AUGUST 14, 2007, THE VEHICLE'S GEARS WOULD SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT, KNOWLEDGE, AND NEED FOR A NEW BATTERY. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $4,432. IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT SWITCH GEARS OR ALLOW THE CONTACT TO DRIVE ABOVE 10-15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON DECEMBER 13, 2007 AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED ONCE MORE UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY FOR THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE DUST BOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT HAS THE DUST BOOT AVAILABLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,083.

NHTSA complaint #10214422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Woodbridge, 00

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED (5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS) THE ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHT CAME UP WITH THE GENERIC P0770 CODE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT TRANSMISSION/SOLENOID FAILURE PROBLEM FOR FEW TOYOTA MODELS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CANADA FOR SUPPORT IN THIS MATTER TO ONLY EXPERIENCE MORE DISAPPOINTMENT. AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT A RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST WOULD NOT TAKE LONGER THAN SEVEN TO TEN BUSINESS DAYS, I HAD TO FOLLOW UP WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE ON FEW OCCASIONS, BY E-MAIL AND PHONE, UNTIL FINALLY RECEIVING A RESPONSE AFTER SIX WEEKS ? A NEGATIVE ONE. MY CURRENT DISAPPOINTMENT IS NOT SO MUCH DUE TO THE FACT THAT TOYOTA TOOK SUCH A LONG TIME TO REPLY, BUT TO THE INFLEXIBILITY PROVEN BY THOSE WHO ANALYZED AND ?SOLVED? MY CASE. ALSO, THEY SEEM TO SEND "CANNED MESSAGES". BUT, TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, HERE ARE THE QUICK FACTS ABOUT MY CAR AS ALSO PRESENTED IN MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE: 1. THE SOLENOID FAILURE WAS FIRST REPORTED AT 43,000 KM (25,000 MILES) WHEN THE CAR WAS 4 YEARS OLD, WELL UNDER WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED AND THE CODE RESET. BUT THE CODE REAPPEARED WHEN THE CAR WAS FIVE YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS OLD, AND ONLY 67,000 KM (40,000 MILES). JUST 4 MONTHS OUT OF THE OFFICIAL WARRANTY. 2. THE PROBLEM MY CAR HAS IS COMMON FOR TOYOTA CARS. ALTHOUGH THE P0770 CODE I GOT IS A GENERIC CODE, A GOOGLE SEARCH RETURNS ONLY TOYOTA REPORTED ISSUES IN THE FIRST 40 RESULTS. MY CAMRY HAS TRANSMISSION U140E WHICH IS SHARED WITH OTHER TOYOTA CARS. LEXUS RX300 (USING U140E) HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (1999-2002): PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF THE 5 SOLENOIDS USED IN THE U140E/U140F TRANSMISSIONS (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10009396) THERE ARE ALSO NUMEROUS TSB FOR SOLENOID PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING TOYOTA CARS: TUNDRA, HIGHLANDER, MATRIX, CAMRY, LEXUS RX300, SIENNA. THEY SEEMED TO BE PLAGUED BY THIS PROBLEM. EVEN SIENNA 2004 (5 YEARS LATER AFTER THE FIRST TSB IN 1999) STILL HAS THAT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10204437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Hackettstown, NJ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AT ABOUT 105,000 MILES ON MY 2002 CAMRY V6, THE CAR EXPERIENCED HESITATING DRIVING WHILE DRIVEN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH WHEN REMOVING SLIGHTLY THE FOOT FROM THE THROTTLE PEDAL. THE CAR IS BUCKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD FOR INDEFINITE TIME UNTIL THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED OR FULLY PRESSED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION SINCE ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED CANNOT BE DECREASED OR INCREASED ANY TIME. NOTIFIED DEALER AND TOLD THAT THIS CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED SINCE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE GENERATED (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON). REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS AT 108,000 MILES ON AUG 24, 2007. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. SPOUSE NOTICED INCREASED BUCKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. PERFORMED TEST DRIVE WITH TECHNICIAN IN THE CAR AND THE DIAGNOSE SYSTEM HOOKED TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. DETECTED SOME MISFIRES ON CYLINDERS 5 AND 6. REPLACED SOLENOID IGNITION PACKS FOR CYLINDER 5 & 6 AND TEST DROVE AGAIN. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT FUEL INJECTORS ARE CLOGGED. PERFORMED FUEL INJECTORS PURGE (CLEANING). PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL FUEL INJECTORS AND SOLENOID IGNITION PACKS. CAR WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY DURING THE OWNERSHIP. OIL & FILTER CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES, REPLACED AIR FILTER EVERY 30,000 MILES, REPLACED TIMING BELT AND BELT TENSIONERS AT 87,000 MILES, REPLACED WATER PUMP AT 87,000 MILES, FLUSHED TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 87,000 MILES. FROM READING VARIOUS CUSTOMERS COMPLAINTS, IT APPEARS TO BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT DEALER DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10204424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Mckeesport, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2.4 L WINTER WEATHER CAUSE TO VVT ON AUTO TO FAIL AND STALL ENGINE. STALLED ENGINE CAUSED LOST OF CONTROLS, STEERING, BRAKES, ETC..PARTS REPLACED WERE OXYGEN SENSORS, CAT.CONVERTOR, ETC.. THE VVT IS VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL ALONG WITH OCM, PCM, THROTTLE SENSOR, MASS AIR SENSOR WHICH REGULATES THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10188813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Toyota Camry problems

← Full 2002 Toyota Camry report