RoadVitals

2002 Toyota Camry Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
89
Latest Nov 14, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 953 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
58
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
54

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Toyota Camry submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 89 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 89, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Nov 14, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11699360
Incident
Oct 30, 2025
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 27, 2024

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 initiate the deployment of airbag in the event of a wreck/accident could lead to fatality. Engine not functioning properly due to blown head gasket which could lead to overheating amongst other things. Vehicle has been inspected by Dealership. Yes there are warning lights prior to failure (Check engine light)

NHTSA ID
11597202
Incident
Feb 16, 2024
Airbags
Filed Jan 10, 2023

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 by itself. I took it in to get serviced and was told it would need to be replaced. The cost will be around $1600. I haven’t had my insurance inspect it, is that something that is recommended? I tried to contact Toyota but never heard back. I don’t have any warning lights on, and I noticed the issue starting in the past year. I have found threads of other Toyota Camry in the same car age range with owners that are having/had the same issue. These threads mentioned it happening around 40,000 miles, and that aligns with my car too. - I also have a friend that has the same issue with her Camry airbag!

NHTSA ID
11501050
Incident
May 15, 2022
Airbags
Filed Dec 21, 2022
Crash reported3 injuries reported1 death reported

Airbags failed to deploy

NHTSA ID
11498468
Incident
Jun 30, 2021
Airbags
Filed May 8, 2020

SOLD *TR

NHTSA ID
11323807
Incident
May 7, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS PROTRUDING OUT OF ITS COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LEGACY TOYOTA (3800 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 688-9264) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1907100960. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID
11230746
Incident
May 15, 2019
Mileage
127,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 21, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS AT A COMPLETE HALT WHEN A DISTRACTED DRIVER OF A CEMENT TRUCK REAR ENDED MY CAMRY RESULTING IN THE CAR BEING COMPLETELY TOTALLED. ZERO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER BLUNT FORCE TO THE REAR CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN AROUND AND BE HIT AGAIN IN THE FRONT.*DT PHOTOS ATTACHED *JB

NHTSA ID
11221725
Incident
Jun 10, 2019
Mileage
226,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 1, 2019

VEHICLE IS A CONVERTIBLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHENEVER THE CAR IS RUNNING. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION. MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM FOR SAME MAKE/MODE/YEAR. WHERE COLLISIONS HAVE OCCURRED WITH VEHICLES DISPLAYING THIS CONDITION, AIR BAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
11217280
Incident
May 28, 2013
Mileage
75,750 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 18, 2019

DRIVER BAGS NOT WORK I HAVE LIGHT ON IN MY DASH FOR AIRBAG PROBLEM PLS LET NET STEP

NHTSA ID
11180916
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 2019

RECALL

NHTSA ID
11172697
Incident
Jan 28, 2019
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 2019

RECALL AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID
11172695
Incident
Jan 29, 2018
Mileage
200,110 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 21, 2018
1 injury reported

I HAD JUST GOTTEN IN THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF A STORE. TURNED THE CAR ON, PUT MY SEATBELT ON, AND BEGAN ENTERING IN A DESTINATION INTO MY PHONE GPS WHEN BOTH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS IN PARK WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MY HANDS WERE NOT TOUCHING THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD NOT LEFT THE PARKING SPACE AND NO ONE HIT OR BUMPED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT WAS AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID
11112868
Incident
Jul 21, 2018
Mileage
100,216 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Nov 7, 2017

THE SRS LIGHT HAS BLINKED FOR 5 YEARS. IT MAY BLINK FOR A DAY OR TWO AND THEN NOT BLINK FOR A WEEK. NOW IT HAS BEEN BLINKING EVERYDAY FOR 2 WEEKS. A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WAS MADE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TRIED TO OPEN BUT DID NOT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND AFTER ABOUT A MONTH THE SRS LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK.

NHTSA ID
11044352
Incident
May 6, 2012
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 22, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TAKATA RECALL? I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45MPH AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS INJURED AS A RESULT.

NHTSA ID
11018898
Incident
Aug 15, 2017
Mileage
234,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 6, 2017

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: ON TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A VERY LOUD POP. AT THAT MOMENT I WASN'T SURE WHETHER THE SOUND HAD COME FROM MY VEHICLE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED TO MY HOUSE I PROCEEDED TO CHECK MY VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THAT SAID NOISE HADN'T COME FROM MY CAR. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ELEVATED AND THE AIRBAG WAS VISIBLE. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT MULTIPLE TOYOTA VEHICLES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING MODELS, 2003-2008 COROLLA, 2003-2008 MATRIX, 2003-2006 TUNDRA, AND 2002-2007 SEQUOIA HAVE HAD IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS AND HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION FOUND ON TOYOTA.COM, THE REASON THESE AIRBAGS WERE UNSAFELY ERUPTING WAS DUE TO "HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY". ODDLY ENOUGH THE DAY THAT THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IT WAS UNUSUALLY HUMID OUT; I REMEMBER TURNING MY AIR CONDITIONER ON BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT OUTSIDE. NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY CAR IS NOT AMONG THE ONES THAT I PREVIOUSLY LISTED BUT THE FACT THAT THE SAME THING THAT OCCURRED TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED VEHICLES HAPPENED TO MINE SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED. IT IS ALARMING TO THINK OF WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THAT AIRBAG WOULD HAVE ERUPTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY, WHAT IF THERE WAS SOMEONE IN THE CAR WITH ME?.

NHTSA ID
10993508
Incident
Apr 18, 2017
Mileage
88,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 1, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG SEPARATED FROM THE DASHBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 177,000.

NHTSA ID
10992627
Incident
May 5, 2017
Mileage
177,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 24, 2017
Crash reported

MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN IT BEING TOTALED; AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
10956682
Incident
Feb 21, 2017
Mileage
255,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 4, 2016

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS BULGING UP TILL YOU CAN SEE A BROWN SECTION INSIDE WHAT SHOULD I DO NOT MAKE NOISE, NOT MOVING, JUST DOES NOT LOOK SAFE.

NHTSA ID
10863157
Incident
Mar 10, 2016
Airbags
Filed Nov 16, 2015

TOYOTA CAMRY 2002- VIN: [XXX] PASSENGER AIRBAG IS BEING EXPOSED . ( IMAGES ARE ATTACHED ) THANK YOU, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10790534
Incident
Nov 5, 2015
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Oct 15, 2015
Crash reported

I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY TOYOTA WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND I WAS SITTING BESIDE HIM. WE HIT A CAR WHEN IT STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAGS DID NOT PROTECT ME. MY HEAD STRONGLY HIT THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ID
10782321
Incident
Oct 14, 2015
Mileage
119,900 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 10, 2015

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STARTED TO PULSATE AND STARTED TO RIP THE AIR BAG COVER OPEN, PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE BRAKE DOWN LANE AND CALLED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. ALL THEY SAID WAS THER IS NO RECALL ON THAT VIN # THANKS FOR THE CONCERN TOYOTA! I AM AFRAID THAT AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY WILE CAR IS IN OPERATION.

NHTSA ID
10747638
Incident
Aug 6, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureExterior lighting
Filed May 24, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

I HAD A WRECK IN JAN., 7TH, 2005. I WAS TRAVELING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT AND THE LADY IN FRONT OF ME WAS DEAD STOPPED AND I COLD NOT STOP MY CAR. I HIT HER STOPPED CAR, DOING 45 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! NOW THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, IS NOT RIGHT. IT HAS MOVED AND SEPARATED AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO POP OPEN, SINCE THE WRECK AND THE PEOPLE THAT DID THE SERVICE ON MY CAR TO FIX THE FRONT END (VIA MY INSURANCE CO. - USAA) HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE COVER HAS MOVED EVEN MORE, SINCE MY WRECK IN JAN. 7TH, 2015 AND I AM REALLY SCARED. MY 84 YEAR OLD MOTHER AND MY SERVICE DOG RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. PLEASE HELP ME BEFORE IT DEPLOYS IN HER FACE!

NHTSA ID
10721251
Incident
Jan 7, 2015
Mileage
155,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 4, 2015

APROX. TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW..A SMALL TEAR...STARTED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG..PRESENTLY IT HAS INCREASED IN SIZE OF THE TEAR.. A LOT WORSE..I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFTEY OF OCCUPANTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10670001
Incident
Jan 4, 2015
Mileage
230,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Dec 23, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON LAKESHORE DR WHEN WITH NO WARNING OF A TURN SIGNAL A TOW TRUCK DRIVER CUT ME OFF AND SLOWED ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BRACE FOR IMPACT AS I STOMPED DOWN ON MY BRAKES. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS TOTALED AS THE FRONT RIGHT END OF MY CAR MADE IMPACT WITH THE LEFT REAR END OF HIS TOW TRUCK. AFTER THE DIST SETTLED I LOOKED AROUND AND REALIZED THAT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I FOUND THIS REALIZATION EXTREMELY ALARMING, NOT ONLY FOR THE CHEST PAIN THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING ON MY RIGHT SIDE WHICH I FELT WAS FROM MY CHEST HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL (EVEN THOUGHT I WAS INDEED WEARING MY SEATBELT) BUT BECAUSE EARLIER THIS YEAR TOYOTA HAD COME OUT WITH A RECALL LIST, AND WHEN I CALLED TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR WAS ON THE RECALL LIST I WAS TOLD NO. I DON'T KNOW HOW MY CAR WAS LOOKED OVER BUT THIS IS A SITUATION THAT SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RECTIFIED. THANK GOD MY SITUATION WASN'T WORSE THAN IT WAS AND MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS NOT IN THE CAR, BUT THERE ARE OTHERS ON THE ROAD WHO MAY NOT MEET THE SAME OUTCOME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668032
Incident
Dec 18, 2014
Mileage
52,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Dec 11, 2014

PASSENGER AIRBAG IS SEPARATING FROM DASHBOARD. IT'S APPROXIMATELY 3" LONG. BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP BUT IT'S NOT CURRENTLY LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST. INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED AND VERIFIED THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663560
Incident
Sep 1, 2014

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .