Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. 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. 56 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.
The 25 most recent of 56, in the owner's own words
PURCHASED THE CAMRY FROM REYES AUTO GROUP IN LAKEWOOD, NJ. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO PA WHERE I LIVE AND 2 MECHANICS SHOWED ME THE RUSTED OUT UNDER CARRIAGE OF VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT WILL NOT PASS THE PA SAFETY INSPECTION AND WOULD COST OVER $2000 TO FIX! GAS STARTED LEAKING FROM TANK BECAUSE OF RUSTED CONDITION.
I WAS COMING OUT OF MY MECHANIC DRIVEWAY AND I LET CARS GO BY DOWN A BUSY STREET> MY FOOT WAS CLEARLY ON THE BRAKE AND SUDDENLY I HEARD A WINING NOISE AND MY THE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND WENT ACROSS THE ROAD AND HIT A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I SAID TO MYSELF THIS CAR IS CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK THE BRAKES ABS AND TRANSMISSION NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE STRUCK AN OBJECT AND BURST. THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A DITCH AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY AN INCH OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNLATCHED AND FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT UNLATCH AND WAS CUT OFF TO FREE THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.
SUDDEN UNINTEND ACCELERATION AT SLOW SPEED--ON DECEMBER 17, 2015, WHEN PULLING SLOWLY INTO A GARAGE AND NEARLY STOPPED, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD RAMING THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE INTERIOR WALL. THIS RESULTED IN "TOTALING THE CAR" AND DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND PROPERTY IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS SUDDEN UNINTEND ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITH THIS 2002 CAMRY . IT ALSO OCCURRED ON JANUARY 20, 2010 WITH A DIFFERENT DRIVER (MY WIFE) WHO HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD ABOUT THREE CAR LENGTHS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON JANUARY 30, 2010 (SEENHTSA ID NUMBER 10303355). FOR THE 2010 INCIDENCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHERE REPAIRS WHERE MADE. WHEN WE PICKED UP OUR CAR FROM THE TOYOTA DEALER, WE NOTED THAT NONE OF THE REPAIR ITEMS ON THE INVOICE MENTIONED ACCELERATIONS PROBLEMS. SEVERAL DAYS LATER AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER, HE AGREED TO PERFORM A "COURTESY INSPECTION OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLEY FOR ANY POSSIBLE BINDING STICKING SLOW RETURN OR ABNORMAL PERFORMANCE." NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. IN BOTH INCIDENCES THE SURGES WERE QUICK, UNINTENDED, AND AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS. THE INCIDENCES INVOLVED TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS.
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.
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!
MY WIFE WAS BACKING INTO OUR GARAGE. SHE PULLED FORWARD TO REALIGN CAR. WHEN SHE PLACED GEARSHIFT BACK INTO REVERSE (AUTOM. XMSN) AND PERHAPS HAD LIGHTLY TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO VERY HIGH SETTING. CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD UNTIL STOPPED BY FIREWOOD PILE, FURNACE AND REAR WALL OF GARAGE. THROTTLE CONTINUED AT HIGH SETTING FOR SOME TIME. DRIVEN WHEELS KEPT SPINNING (AS SHOWN BY SKID MARKS ON GARAGE FLOOR). THEN THROTTLE AUTONOMOUSLY RETURNED TO IDLE. FIREWOOD WAS SCATTERED. FURNACE WAS DESTROYED. GARAGE WALL WAS DISPLACED ABOUT ONE INCH. BUMPER, ONE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND ONE QUARTER PANEL OF CAR WERE DAMAGED. (BODY SHOP INSPECTION MAY REVEAL OTHER DAMAGE.) MY WIFE EXPERIENCED NECK DISCOMFORT, WHICH HAS GONE AWAY. SHE IS SURE THAT SHE DID NOT PRESS ACCELERATOR PEDAL MORE THAN VERY LIGHTLY. CLEARLY, UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THE RESULTS OF THE THROTTLE RUNAWAY COULD HAVE BEEN FAR MORE DISASTROUS. *TR
THE TRUNK OF THE CAR IS LEAKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT'S COMING FROM THE SEAL OF THE BACK WINDSHIELD. CORPORATE SAYS THEY HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ADDRESSED TO THEM TO MAKE THIS AN ISSUE. IF YOU READ THE BLOGS, THERE ARE A LOAD OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRUNK LEAKS. WHO IS PASSING THE BUCK ON THIS PROBLEM? *TR
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
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
I PARKED THE CAR. AFTER REALIZING THAT I WAS ABOUT 2 FT FROM THE PARKING BUMP, I DECIDED TO MOVE IT FORWARD AND AS I TOOK THE CAR OFF PARK THE CAR TOOK OFF AND HIT THE BUMP AND WAS STOPPED BY A TREE. THE CAR CLIMBED PARTIALLY ON THE TREE, LEAVING THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS COMPLETELY OFF THE GROUND. I PUT THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT, NO AIRBAGS DISPLAYED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON THE REPAIR OF THE FRONT BUMPER. TOYOTA INVESTIGATED AND A MONTH LATER DELIVERED THE "DATA" BY MAIL FROM BOSCH, WITHOUT ANY USEFUL INFORMATION FOR ME. I DO NOT DARE DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
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). *TR
ON NOVEMBER 13, 2009, I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO TURN IN AND PARK MY CAR (MY FOOT STILL PRESSING THE BRAKE). WHEN MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES ABOUT 15 FEET AND SMACKS INTO A BUILDING. A $10,000 CLAIM WAS MADE AGAINST MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I INFORMED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR SINCE THE RESPONDING OFFICER URGED ME TO GET MY VEHICLE CHECKED OUT. ALMOST INSTANTLY AFTER I BEGAN EXPLAINING THE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT OVER THE PHONE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE GAS PEDAL WASN'T THE ISSUE AND THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN PASSED OVER BECAUSE MY CAR WASN'T BRAND NEW, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONE OF THE SAME YEAR MODELS THAT RECEIVED AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. I RECEIVED A POST CARD NOTIFYING ME OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST TOYOTA, HOWEVER IT DOES NOT PERTAIN TO PROPERTY DAMAGE AND I'M NOT SURE WHICH AVENUE TO TAKE. *TR
I DROVE UP IN FRONT OF MOSSES TOWN HALL BUILDING IN LOWNDES COUNTY AL AS I TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES TO PARK THE CAR IT BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND JUMP THE PARKING BUMPS AND HIT THE BUILDING KNOCKING DOWN THE WALL OF BRICKS AND THAT'S WHEN IT STOPPED. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED AND TOOK A LOOK. THERE WERE PERSON IN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING WHO RAN OUT TO SEE WERE I OKAY. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND I HOPE THE LAST INCIDENT I HAD WITH THE CAR. *TR
MY SON WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OFF BROWN RD ONTO AMBER GLEN DR IN CHARLOTTE, NC WHEN THE CARS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN HE TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR IT WOULD NOT STOP. THE CAR HIT A TREE THAT CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT/INJURED OR KILLED. BUT MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IS TOTALED AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN APRIL 2012 FROM THE TOYOTA SCION DEALERSHIP IN HUNTERSVILLE, NC AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS OR RECALLS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN MISLEAD AND CHEATED OUT OF MY MONEY TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD TO ANYONE AND WHY WAS THE DEALERSHIP NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND MADE THE CUSTOMER AWARE OR DID THEY JUST NOT CARE. TOYOTA HAS LEFT A BAD MEMORY THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET AND THAT IS DEFINITELY A BAD WAY TO RUN A BUSINESS. I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS. HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2002/TOYOTA/CAMRY/STEERINGHTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/TOYOTA/CAMRY/STEERING-WHEEL-PROBLEMS.PHP. *TR
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
SECOND TIME IN THE 8 YEARS THAT WE HAVE OWNED OUR 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE STARTING TO PEEL AGAIN CREATING A HAND CUTTING HAZARD. FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I TALKED TO A SERVICE REP AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID HE HAS SEEN MANY DO THIS. MY WIFE AND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CUT BECAUSE OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. TOYOTA REFUSES TO CORRECT PROBLEM AND I REFUSE TO PAY MONEY TO PAY FOR OTHER DEFECTIVE PARTS ONLY TO DO THE SAME THING IN THE FUTURE. *TR
INSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE CHROME COATING HAS CRACKED AND PEELED REVEALING A SHARP EDGE THAT CUTS THE FINGERS OF THE PERSON PULLING THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. PERMANENT REPAIR REQUIRES REMOVING THE INSIDE DOOR PANELS AND INSTALLING NEW HANDLES. *TR
THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE CAR WHERE YOU OPEN THE DOOR AT BREAK. THIS IS FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FROM JUST OPENING THE DOORS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS GREATER THAN 61,000. UPDATED 12/30/08 *CN THE DOOR HANDLES WERE CRACKED. UPDATED 12/30/08. *JB
TWO COMPLAINTS (1) HEADLIGHTS ARE DELAMINATING WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A COMMON, EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. (2) INSIDE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE SO I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE LEARNED ARE QUITE COMMON TO OTHER CAMRY OWNERS. *TR
PASSENGER INSIDE VEHICLE WENT TO EXIT VEHICLE AND INSIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED AND BROKE. HANDLE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT COST OF $78.00. *TR
INSIDE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE DID THE SAME THING IN 2003. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2002 CAMRY (NEW) AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS FRONT DOOR HANDLES DUE TO BREAKAGE, WERE NOT TALKING EXCESSIVE FORCE HERE. THIS IS THE PART YOU PUT YOUR FINGERS IN TO PULL OPEN DOOR LATCH. THEY ARE BREAKING AT THE PIVOT POINT, WHERE THE PIN GOES THROUGH. TOYOTA IS CHARGING $37.00 APIECE FOR AN ITEM THAT WILL GET YOUR VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION STICKER REVOKED UNTIL REPAIRED, AS I JUST FOUND OUT. IN MY OPINION THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS( NOT BEING ABLE TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY)CONSTITUTES A RECALL. THANKYOU, MARK GROSE *TR
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY INSIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE INSIDE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CUSTOMER BELIEVES THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *KB THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS INOPERATIVE.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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