2002 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE HAD TO BE EITHER REPLACED OR REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

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

DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER GASKET REFER TO CHRYSLER VALVE COVER RECALL. *TR

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES TO REQUEST A FULL INVESTIGATION AGAINST A LOCAL DEALER FOR FRAUDULENT AND DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES RELATED TO THEIR VEHICLE NOT STARTING *TGW

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON. I'VE SPENT MANY DOLLARS TO GET IF FIXED, HOWEVER, NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY THE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. IT SEEMS TO BE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE LIGHT GOES ON WHENEVER THE KEY IS ENGAGED.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AS THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD BLOT WAS STRIPPED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

STRIPPED HEADBOLTS CAUSING COOLANT LEAKAGE WHICH RESULTS IN OVER HEATING ENGINE. FROM ALL OF THE INFO I HAVE READ ONLINE THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD DO A RECALL. *TR

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 110,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT IT COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,603. UPDATED 12/19/12 *CN UPDATED 01/09/13

I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2002 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT METICULOUSLY. THE CAR OVERHEATED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I BOUGHT IT ON 7/9/12. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP ON 7/11/12 FOR EVALUATION OF THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE COOLANT RESULTING IN THE OVERHEATING INCIDENT. THE AUTO SHOP ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS WELL KNOWN, BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR REPAIR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $2200.00 TO $2400.00, IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED. IF IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED, THE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A MUCH HIGHER COST. I WENT ON LINE TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM FROM OTHER 2002 CAMRY OWNERS AROUND THE USA. *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

BAD THREADS ON ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE LEAKING COOLANT. MECHANIC DETERMINED HEAD GASKET BAD. TOYOTA CERTIFIED MECHANIC TORE APART ENGINE AND ON REASSEMBLY FOUND THE THREADS ON THE LOWER ENGINE BLOCK WERE STRIPPED AND THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. NEW ENGINE/REBUILD REQUIRED AT $5200. FAILURE CAUSED BY FAULTY THREADS/ENGINE BLOCK AT MANUFACTURING END. SIMPLY DRIVING VEHICLE CAUSES THREADS TO DISINTEGRATE AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

MY 2002 CAMRY HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL AT ABOUT 211,000 MILES WHEN ANTIFREEZE STARTED TO LEAK FROM BACK OF ENGINE. AFTER MECHANIC INSPECTED, HE SAID WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO HEAD GASKET. WHEN HE TRIED TO REMOVE BOLTS WE NOTICED THREE BACK BOLTS WERE LOOSE ALREADY AND THREAD WAS STRIPPED. AFTER HAVING HEAD GASKET CLEANED AND "REPAIRED" THIS REPAIR GUY SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH HEAD ITSELF. ALL HE DID WAS INSPECT, CLEAN, AND SAND IT. HE DID SAY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM HE ENCOUNTERS WITH TOYOTA'S. THE ONLY REPAIR HE SAYS WILL WORK IS TO HAVE ENGINE BLOCK REMOVED AND HE WILL RETHREAD ALL THE HOLES WITH DIFFERENT MATERIAL TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. NONE OF THIS IS A SURE FIX BECAUSE IT COULD STILL FAIL, THE ONLY SURE WAY IS TO BUY A NEW ENGINE, BUT IF TOYOTA MAKES DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS, THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE ALWAYS SWORE BY TOYOTA CARS, THAT IS ALL I HAVE EVER OWNED BUT I WILL NEVER BUY A VEHICLE FROM THEM AGAIN. *JS

EACH TIME YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A "WHINING' IN THE STEERING COLUMN. IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME YOU MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A PLASTIC PIECE IN THE STEERING WHEEL THAT MAY CAUSE THE PROBLEM THEY ARE NOT FOR SURE AND IT WOULD COST ME OVER $200 IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM FOR A "CHEAP" PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF USING IT. I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS DRASTICALLY! *TR

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

STEERING BECAME HARD AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO A STRAIGHT POSITION. THIS RESULTED IN A NEAR PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT. *KB

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

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

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS EVIDENCED BY ALL THE BLOGS ON THE INTERNET. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO COMPENSATE THE CONSUMER FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE STRIPPING AND THE FAILURE WAS A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SMOKED WAS EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD DEVELOPED A CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

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.

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

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

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.

INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALL GAUGES , LIGHTS WENT DEAD REPLACING OR TAKING OUT THE FUSE WHICH WAS STILL GOOD , TURNS IT BACK ON BUT THEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF THE DASH GOES OUT AGAIN. *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD GO FURTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND BOTH FRONT SPEED SENSORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,869.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND A SUDDEN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS A RESULT TO CRASHING INTO A BUILDING. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE AND TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BODY DAMAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,600.

IT IS 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH 2.4L 2AZ-FE ENGINE. IT HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS DRIVEN. ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BANG AND STALLED. DID NOT STARTED AFTER CRANKING IT. BEFORE TRIP THERE WAS NOTICEABLE STEAM OUT OF EXHAUST. AFTER CONSIDERING HEAD GASKET FAILURE THERE WAS ATTEMPT TO REPLACE THE GASKET. DURING REPAIR WAS FOUND THAT SEVERAL HEAD BOLTS WERE LOOSE DUE TO STRIPING FROM THEIR SITS. AFTER DIGGING IN GOOGLE IT WAS FOUND THAT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS ENGINES. IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN FLOW. ALL 2AZ-FE ENGINES ARE PRONE TO THIS BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE HEAT DISPERSION AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONSE IS THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLOW AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. ALL ENGINES FROM 2002 ARE PRONE TO IT. *TR

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

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED MINOR CHEST INJURES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE CRASH SITE AS THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL TICKING AND RATTLING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE WHO WAS UNABLE O LOCATE OR DUPLICATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WOULD NOT ASSIST, STATING THAT NO FAILURES WERE DISCOVERED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY BACK IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR FROM A PRIVATE AUTO SELLER. ON MAY 20TH WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN IN NEUTRAL, MY RPM GAGE ALL OF A SUDDEN SURGED. I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TWICE TO SEE IF IT WAS STUCK SINCE I'D HEARD NEWS REPORTS THAT THIS WAS REPORTEDLY THE ISSUE ACCORDING TO TOYOTA WHEN OTHER INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED, BUT I THOUGHT THEY WERE WITH THE NEWER MODELS. NONETHELESS, WHEN I RELEASED THE PEDAL, THE GAGE CONTINUED SURGING. THANK GOODNESS I WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN THE ACCELERATION STARTED BECAUSE THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE AREA WHO WERE WAITING TO CATCH THEIR SCHOOL BUS. I DECIDED TO TURN OFF MY VEHICLE AND SAT FOR ABOUT TEN SECONDS, STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT WAS STILL SURGING FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER THREE SECONDS, THEN FINALLY STOPPED AND WENT BACK TO NORMAL. AT THAT POINT, I TURNED BACK AROUND AND PARKED THE CAR AT MY HOME. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THAT FOLLOWING TUESDAY I STOPPED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS AND EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE PARTS WORKER WHAT HAPPENED. HIS EXPLANATION WAS IT'S THE FLOOR MAT GETTING STUCK CAUSING THE ACCELERATION AND THAT I NEED TO PROVIDE MY VIN NUMBER FOR THEM TO LOOK IT UP. FIRST OF ALL, THIS WAS NOT A FLOOR MAT ISSUE. IF THAT WAS THE CASE THEN WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, IT SHOULD'VE COME UNSTUCK. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO GO THE ROUTE THAT'S GOING TO BE THE LEAST EXPENSIVE INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I CAME ACROSS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN MEMO FROM AUGUST 2002 THAT ADDRESSED THE ACCELERATION ISSUE STATING THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRONICS GLITCH. I E-MAILED TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION THEY OFFERED WAS.....NOTHING. APPARENTLY THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS DONE. DUE TO THE DANGEROUS NATURE OF THESE INCIDENTS, REPAIRS SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC AND NOT AT THE COST OF THE CONSUMER! *TR

27 MAY 2011 1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: THE CAR BATTERY, INCORRECTLY PLACE DIRECTLY OVER THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NORMALLY LEAKED WATER AND ACID ONTO THE WIRING HARNESS OPENING THE CIRCUIT AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO GO ON AND THE CAR SAFETY AIR BAGS TO BE DISABLED. THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR MAYBE MOVED SO THAT IT IS NOT UNDER THE CAR BATTERY OR THE SENSOR COULD BE SHIELDED, SUCH AS A SPLASH GUARD. 2. THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, IT CONSEQUENCES: THIS IS A 2002 OR 8 YEAR OLD CAR; HOWEVER, I WOULD ESTIMATE THIS FAILURE COULD OCCUR WITHIN 6 MONTHS TO FOUR YEARS. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD ALWAYS FAIL TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT; MAKING THE SAFETY SYSTEM INOPERABLE. 3. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED; TOYOTA WANTED $3,800 DOLLARS AT FIRST. THE TWO WIRES TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR COULD HAVE A DISCONNECT, SO THAT ONLY THE TWO WIRES TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR COULD HAVE NEEDED TOO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BLUE SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE TAIL PIPE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILDING UP IN THE ENGINE AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN MILEAGE EXTREMELY QUICKLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE UPON HITTING THE BRAKE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO JUMP WHILE STILL MOVING FORWARD. IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL INTERMITTENTLY, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE SINCE HE KNEW THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.