2002 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I ACCELERATED TO 60 OR 65 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN VIBRATING BADLY AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. ON SLOWING DOWN THE SHAKING LESSENED BUT CONTINUED AND THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED VIBRATING. ON BRINGING THE CAR TO THE SHOP THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAD FAILED. ON REPLACING THE MOUNTS ONE OF THEM HAD SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES.

STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DID NOT RETURN TO CENTER WHEN RELEASED. CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID IT WAS OK. NO POWER STEERING LEAKS. TOOK CAR TO HAVE PROBLEM EVALUATED. MECHANIC SAID THAT STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS WERE WORN AND RUSTED AND BINDING UP. ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. IF ALLOWED TO GO TOO LONG STEERING COULD LOCK UP COMPLETELY OR SHAFT COULD SHEAR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. REPAIR WILL COST $900 SINCE ENTIRE SHAFT MUST BE REPLACED AND PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE AND WAS SHOCKED TO KNOW THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING SHAFT LEFT IT EXPOSED TO ROAD SPRAY AND SUBSEQUENT CORROSION DAMAGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND GAVE NO WARNING AS TO THE IMPENDING FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN EVEN WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. *TR

I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY SUNROOF MADE BY WEBASTO. THE SERIAL NUMBER OF MY SUNROOF IS BETWEEN THE RANGE OF 6000000 TO 6396298. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPLACED IF THAT IS THE CASE, PLEASE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY 70,000 MI AND WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY THE STEERING FROZE AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. SINCE THAT DAY THE STEERING HAS BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF AND HARD TO STEER. AFTER CHECKING THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVELS AND FOUND IT TO BE NORMAL I HAVE MADE AN APPT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER READING THESE COMPLAINTS I FEEL IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PART ITSELF AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS LOW AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND ADDED MORE COOLANT TO THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES AFTER BEING REPAIRED THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE REPAIRING THE ENGINE, THE MECHANICED NOTICED THE BOLTS WHICH MOUNTED THE ENGINE WERE STRIPPED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY MOUNTED OUT OF POSITION, PREVENTING THE ENGINE COOLANT FROM PROPERLY ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THIS FAILURE, THE ENGINE RAN AT A LOW TEMPERATURE AND THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

THE STEERING FAILED, TOO HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT WITH U- JOINTS. THEY SAID IT IS COMMON IN 2002 CAMRY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. HE PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE HEAD BOLT WAS STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 08/05/11*LJ UPDATED 08/15/11

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. *TR

ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2010, AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 PM, (AZ-GMT) I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SE 4-DR IN A ROAD CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT 15 MILES PER HOUR. I CAME TO A STOP AT A RED SIGNAL LIGHT WHEN I SMELLED THE ODOR OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I STARTED CHECKING THE DASHBOARD FOR ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON, WHICH THERE WERE NONE LIT. A/C AND HEATER SWITCHES WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. I STARTED LOOKING AROUND THE INTERIOR TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS BURNING. AS I WAS CHECKING THE BACK SEAT, I SAW BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE REAR BOTTOM OF THE CAR, THINKING THAT IT WAS SOMETHING BURNING IN THE TRUNK. I USED THE TRUNK LEVER TO OPEN IT, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT NOTHING WAS BURNING THERE, AND WENT BACK TO THE DRIVERS DOOR. I THEN NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RAN A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM IT. I DIALED 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE. I WAS LESS THAN A HALF MILE FROM HOME AND CALLED MY HUSBAND, WHO RESPONDED IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WITH A LARGE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HE DID NOT OPEN THE HOOD, BUT TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES FROM THE FRONT END, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY INTO THE FRONT SEAT AREA BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TOYOTA AS IT WAS IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION AND SERVICED REGULARLY. PREVIOUSLY THAT DAY, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES WITHOUT ANY ISSUES OR PROBLEMS. JUST BEFORE THE FIRE, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES ON SURFACE STREETS AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR WAS RUNNING JUST FINE, AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS LIKE A LOSS OF POWER, AND NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD COME ON AT ALL. I WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR. MY MOTHER BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2002 IN MESA, AZ FROM SUPERSTITION SPRINGS TOYOTA. THE CAR WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED. *TR

THE CAR ACCELERATES AT A HIGH RATE WITH LITTLE PRESSURE ON GAS. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS WARM. I COULD BE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THEN HAVE IT HAPPEN WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS AND I STEP ON THE GAS. IT ALSO HAS HAPPENED WHEN ACCELERATING WHILE STILL MOVING IE: TAKING A CORNER WHILE SLOWING THEN STEPPING ON THE GAS ONCE I HAVE STRAIGHTENED OUT. *TR

2002 SOLARA HAS THE FREQUENT PULL TO THE LEFT DESPITE 4 NEW TIRES, BALANCING AND ALIGNMENT. I CALLED TOYOTA BUT THEIR SERVICE DEPT WAS NO HELP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR COSMETIC DAMAGES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SE 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC THAT HAS HAD THE ACCELERATOR STICK UNDER THE FLOOR MAT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL THE MAT OFF THE ACCELERATOR SO FAR. *TR

MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY HAD STALLED-ENGINE PROBLEM THESE YEARS. MOST OF THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND WAITING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR AT THE STOP SIGN, MY CAMRY CAR ENGINE ABRUPTLY CEASES OPERATING AND STOPS TURNING. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE ENGINE AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED A LOT OF TIMES THESE YEARS AND GIVE ME A BIG TROUBLE WHEN A LOT OF OTHER CARS WAITING BEHIND ME. IT'S NOT SAFE AND BE DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS STALLED ENGINE PROBLEM JUST HAPPENED THIS MORNING WHEN I SENT MY SON TO THE BASEBALL GAME. *TR

2002 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR, I CAN HEAR IT UNLATCH BUT REMAINS SHUT. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE REAR PART OF THE DOOR BACK IN UNTIL YOU HEAR A CLICK, THEN YOU HAVE TO VIOLENTLY PULL THE HANDLE AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD TO 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GARAGE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, PUSHING THE VEHICLE TWO FEET. THE DRIVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE MELTED BECAUSE OF THE HEAT ACCUMULATED BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

VEHICLE DIES IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN IDLING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS BACK. I AM TOLD THIS IS THE FAILED THROTTLE BODY (APPARENTLY A DEFECTIVE PART) WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

2002 CAMRY WITH ONLY 50,586 MILES DRIVEN VERY EASY BY MY WIFE. VSC TRAC OFF LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON AFTER CAR IS IN MOTION WHICH I AM TOLD MEANS THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS AM TOLD THIS CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. TOOK CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND AM TOLD IT NEEDS A SKID CONTROL ECU AND YAW RATE SENSOR AT A COST OF $2600 PLUS TAX. HAVE CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND ALL THEY WILL DO IS CONTACT THE DEALER'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS PERSON TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO DO. I GUESS TOYOTA ISN'T WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH TOYOTA'S VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAPPENED A LOT IN THIS MODEL. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS HAPPENS TOO OFTEN TO THE 2002 CAMRY. THE STEERING COLUMN IS A TWO PIECE ROD THAT COULD TO CATASTROPHIC STEERING LOSS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME WAS THAT THEY HAD ISSUED A SERVICE CALL THAT ONLY INCLUDED GREASING THE SHAFT. *TR

IN MY 2002 TOYOTA SOLARA THE HYDRAULIC POWER BOOSTER ACTUALLY PUSHES BACK THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE DRIVER ACCELERATES. THE GAS PEDAL OVERRIDES THE BRAKES AND WILL PUSH THE DRIVERS FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL IF PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. IN REAL WORLD SCENARIOS, SUCH AS A DRIVER ACCELERATING TO PASS A VEHICLE AND THEN NEEDING TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES BECOME DIFFICULT TO PUSH DOWN ON. THE BRAKE WILL NOT PRESS DOWN PAST A CERTAIN POINT AND THE CAR WILL NOT SLOW DOWN, A FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT BECOMES NORMAL, BUT YOU LOSE THE SPACE TO SLOW DOWN DURING THOSE SECONDS. *TR

FAILURE OF DOOR LATCHES ON A TOYOTA 2002 CAMRY. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD BOTH DOOR LATCHES ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TO BREAK WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, PREVENTING EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE Y NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE LATCHES. *TR

ATLANTA, GA, REQUIRES AN EMISSION INSPECTION EACH YEAR. MY 2002 CAMRY XLE HAS PASSED WITH NO PROBLEM IN PAST YEARS. WHEN THE INSPECTION TESTER WAS HOOKED TO THE CAR IT REPORTED "NOT READY" CODES IN ALL TEST CATEGORIES AND THE INSPECTION COULD NOT BE COMPLETED. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULD CLEAR THE COMPUTER AND GET IT TO RESET BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE CODES WOULD START TO DROP OFF TO "NOT READY" AGAIN. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO SET LONG ENOUGH TO COMPLETE THE INSPECTION THAT PASSED PROPERLY AND THEN THE CODES BEGAN TO DROP OFF AGAIN. CALLS TO TOYOTA HAVE RECEIVED NO INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE STEERING FAILED AND BECAME EXTREMELY RESISTANT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

WE WERE RIDING ON A COBBLE STONE STREET GOING VERY SLOW IN A TOURIST AREA OF SAVANNAH, GA. OUR 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. WITH THE BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED WE SKIDDED DOWN THE STREET IN SHOCK. IT LASTED ABOUT 4 TO 5 SECONDS AND THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO PEOPLE OR OTHER CARS IN THE WAY. I ESTIMATE WE WENT ABOUT 50 YARDS. IT STOPPED AS SUDDENLY AS IT STARTED. WE THEN CALLED THE POLICE TO REPORT WHAT HAPPENED AS WE WERE VERY SHOOK UP. WE REPORTED THIS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. THEY HAD IT TOWED TO THEIR DEALERSHIP. THEN THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY WOULD CALL TOYOTA FOR FURTHER DIRECTION. I AM WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME BACK. *TR

STOPPED IN LINE AT FAST FOOD DRIVE-UP. PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK. PLACED VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ACCELERATED. STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER SLAMMING INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. WILL BE GOING BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING TO REPORT WHAT HAPPENED. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WHICH HAS FAULTY BRAKES. EARLIER IN THE YEAR I WAS USING THIS CAR FOR LONG DISTANCES DUE TO SCHOOL AND WORK. I THOUGHT THIS CAR WOULD BE SAFER BECAUSE OF ITS LARGER BODY AND SMOOTHER DRIVE. I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A SLOW RESPONSE TIME AND THAT IF I HAD TO STOP HARD, I COULD END UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO DEAL WITH THE STOP AND GO OF RUSH HOUR EVERY DAY AND ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING MY FRIEND HOME AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN STOP IN TRAFFIC AND IF I HADN'T STOPPED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE TO STOP, I WOULD HAVE RAN INTO THE CAR IN THE FRONT OF ME. LATER, ON MY GRADUATION DAY FROM COLLEGE, MY FATHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND THERE WAS A CAR TURNING LEFT IN THE ONCOMING LANE AND DUE TO THE BRAKES SLOW RESPONSE TIME WE ENDING UP HITTING THE CAR AT A SPEED THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CONTROLLED IF THE BRAKES HAD WORKED BETTER. BECAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT I HAVE INJURIES THAT BOTHER ME STILL TO THIS DAY. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL TUNE-UPS AND BRAKE CHECKS TO SEE IF THEY ARE WORKING CORRECTLY AND HAVE NEVER HEARD ONCE THAT THE BRAKES HAVE AN ISSUE. I LOOKED ON A BLOG AND REALIZED THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF 2002 CAMRY'S HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAVE GOTTEN THEM TIGHTENED AND CHECKED AND FEAR THAT AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH IN MY CASE HAPPENED AND COULD HAVE BEEN EVEN WORSE IF WE WERE DRIVING AT AN EVER FASTER SPEED. *TR

ONE OF TWO ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSORS MALFUNCTIONED ON MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. I EXPERIENCED A SLUGGISH RESPONSE TO PEDAL ACTION (I.E. I HAD TO PUSH THE PEDAL FARTHER THAN NORMAL TO GAIN ANY ACCELERATION - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED). I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO MY MECHANIC'S SHOP FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS, HE DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, FROM MY MECHANIC'S EXPLANATION, THE SENSOR DETERMINES THE POSITION OF THE ACCELERATOR AND SENDS A REQUEST FOR ACCELERATION AS A VOLTAGE RANGING FROM 0-5V, WHERE 0V IS NO ACCELERATION AND 5V IS FULL-THROTTLE. THROUGH FURTHER TESTING, HE DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR THAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED WAS READING 5V. I FIND IT VERY CONCERNING THAT IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE THE SENSOR DOES NOT "FAIL SAFE" (I.E. FAIL TO 0V, RATHER THAN 5V). THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SECOND SENSOR WAS THERE AS A SAFETY REDUNDANCY, BUT EITHER WAY, "FAIL SAFE" IS ONE OF THE MOST BASIC DESIGN CONCEPTS IN AN APPLICATION WHERE SAFETY IS CRITICAL AS IS THE CASE HERE. IN MY CONVERSATION WITH TOYOTA, THEY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THE PART (MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND IT WAS NOT ON RECALL), NOR COULD THEY GIVE ME ANY ASSURANCE THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART HAD BEEN REDESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WOULD "FAIL SAFE." I AM A WIFE, MOTHER OF TWO SMALL CHILDREN, AND THE PRIMARY INCOME GENERATOR FOR OUR FAMILY. I DO NOT FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT I NOW KNOW ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CAR AND DO NOT FEEL THAT TOYOTA TOOK MY CONCERNS TO HEART. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU COULD DO TO HELP. I SUSPECT I MAY NOT BE THE ONLY ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS SAFETY FAILURE. *TR

S10 DIRECT REPLY-LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM (2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDEN ACCELERATION) *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. *JB UPDATED 01/20/11

PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LATCH NO LONGER CLOSES. THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE TAPED SHUT TO DRIVE IT HOME. THE LATCH FAILED IN THE OPEN STATE INSTEAD OF THE CLOSED STATE AND I'M CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN TO SOMEONE WHILE ON THE ROAD. *TR

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I STARTED EXPERIENCING A JERKING OF MY CAR AT ABOUT 40 MPH. MY CAR IS A 2002 CAMRY XLE V6. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TWO TECH'S RIDE WITH ME AND THEY EXPERIENCED THE JERKING BUT COULDN'T DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS. NOW THE JERKING IS GETTING WORSE AND IS HAPPENING AT ALL SPEEDS. I HAVE ABOUT 111000 MILES ON THE CAR PRESENTLY. I HAVE HAD A FEW TIMES WHERE I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO STOP COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I CALLED TOYOTA'S NATIONAL OFFICE TO MAKE SURE MY DEALERSHIP HADN'T MISSED A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN AND THE NATIONAL OFFICE SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN. HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. THE NATIONAL OFFICE OFFERED TO CALL MY DEALERSHIP, WHICH THEY DID, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'LL DO FOR ME SINCE LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME UNTIL A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH UP HILL THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST IDENTIFIED THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE ODOMETER AND TRIP ODOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE CALCULATION. THE ODOMETER READING WOULD INCREASE BY 1.6 MILES FOR EVERY MILE BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

IN JULY 2010, I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED TWO LANE HIGHWAY, ACCELERATING AS I APPROACHED A GRADE, WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR STALLED. THERE WAS A GROUP OF BICYCLISTS ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, AND MANAGED WITH DIFFICULTY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I COULD RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT THE CEL REMAINED ON, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR IN ANY GEAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE ERROR CODE P1121 WAS FOUND. THE ECU WAS REPLACED, AND I WAS ASSURED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COST ME SEVERAL SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, AND IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR WORSE. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2011, I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN ONCE AGAIN THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE CEL LIT UP. THIS TIME, THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CHANGED GEARS AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR MANY TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE. FINALLY, THE CAR MOVED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT THE SHORT DISTANCE HOME. AFTER CALLING THE DEALERSHIP, WHO AGREED THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL CHECKED, IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE SAME CODE P1121 WAS READ. ALL COMPONENTS INDICATED BY THIS CODE WERE CHECKED AND DEEMED OKAY. AFTER THE DEALER CONTACTED TOYOTA, THE CAR WAS ALSO CHECKED FOR GROUNDING AND VOLTAGE ISSUES. AGAIN, EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OKAY. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT AND DROVE THE CAR, TRYING UNSUCCESSFULLY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT REMAINS THERE TODAY WHILE WE DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT. THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA ARE NOT OFFERING ANY SOLUTIONS. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET CONVINCES ME THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT COSTS. A PRICE CANNOT BE PUT ON LIFE OR PEACE OF MIND. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF *TR REPAIRS ATTACHED.. UPDATED 01/05/2012 *LN *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS. THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED A NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THERE WAS NO BRAKE RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHERE IT WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130000.

2002 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CONVERTIBLE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS VIBRATION THAT IS NOT RELATED TO SPEED. ALL TIRES AND BOTH FRONT AXLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. A FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AS WELL. I HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS STEERING PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO OTHER RECALLS ISSUED BY TOYOTA MOTORS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 2002 SOLARA INTO THE PARKING LOT ON 6-27-10 TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ALONG SIDE OF THE POST OFFICE BUILDING, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATION STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR JUMPED THE PARKING STOP AND THEN THE SIDE WALK INTO THE WALL OF THE BUILDING. THE TWO AIR BAGS EXPLODED, THEN TRYING TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. THEN FINALLY THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF. I CALLED 911 AND THEN WENT THE HOSPITAL FOR X-RAYS. THIS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THESE CARS AND THE FLOORMAT DIDN'T GET STUCK ON THE GAS PEDAL. IS THIS A PROBLEMATIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH TOYOTA CARS? IS THERE A WAY TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM? IS THERE ANY COMPUTER IN THE CAR THAT WILL STORE THIS INFORMATION WHAT HAPPEN? I'M AM SO SHOOK UP THAT I DON'T THINK I CAN EVER DRIVE ANOTHER VEHICLE AGAIN. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS AND WHO DO I CAN SUE WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CAR WAS FILLED WITH GAS ON RETURN TRIP AND WHILE IN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. SAMARITANS STOPPED TO SUPPORT STRANDED CAR AND WHEN THEY TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON , IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WHEN CHECKED BY A INDIVIDUAL WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS A MECHANIC, HE SAID, HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE CAR AND IT WAS CLEAN. INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOWING SERVICE SUPPORT CALLED AND $400.00 PLUS DOLLARS LATER THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO LOCAL DEALER. AFTER CONVERSATION WITH DEALER REPRESENTATIVE , WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR OBVIOUS NEGLIGENCE AROUND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE OIL SLUDGE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO OUR CAR TO THE TUNE OF $4,600. SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS LATER, ALLOWING COOLER HEADS TO PREVAIL, WE WERE ABLE TO GAIN SOME SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL DEALER HOWEVER WE WERE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE SECOND HAND ENGINE BECAUSE TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PROBLEM.BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY AND HAVE BEEN DOING BUSINESS WITH THIS GROUP FOR YEARS, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE PART OF THE CAR THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC IN QUESTION REPORTED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS BEFORE AND HE HA BEEN WORKING FOR MANY YEARS AT THE SAME LOCATION. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE PAPERWORK FROM OUR LOCAL MECHANIC WHO HAS ROUTINELY DONE THE OIL CHECKS SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR. EVEN AFTER PHONE CALLS AND LETTER REQUESTING THAT TOYOTA "DO THE RIGHT THING" EVEN THOUGH OUR SITUATION WAS A FEW MONTHS SHY OF THE "07 SETTLEMENT, THEY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

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

THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. WHENEVER I HIT A POTHOLE OR A BUMP AND I HIT MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE CAR MAKES THIS REALLY LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND THE CAR DOES NOT STOP AT ALL AND KEEPS ACCELERATING. THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET THE BRAKES TO ENGAGED IS BY TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE COMPLETELY AND STEPPING ON IT AGAIN. *TR

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*JB

WE WERE LEAVING A GAS STATION AND PROCEEDED TO GO AROUND THE BACK OF THE GAS STATION BUT DECIDED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF AREA TO GO THROUGH BETWEEN THE GAS STATION AND AN IGA STORE.. THE WIFE PUT THE CAMRY IN REVERSE AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND BACKED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE ..IT THREW US FORWARD AND AGAIN BACKED INTO THE POLE.. MY WIFE AUTOMATICALLY PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE CAR SHOT THROUGH BETWEEN THE STORE AND THE GAS STATION.. IT BROKE BOTH SIDE MIRRORS AND SCRATCHED DOWN THE SIDES OF THE CAR.. WE PROCEEDED INTO THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, HITTING A HONDA VAN IN THE PASSENGER DOOR.. THE CAR KEPT GOING ACROSS TWO MORE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND INTO THE GAS STATION ACROSS THE STREET BEFORE I FINALLY REACTED AND TOLD THE WIFE TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE...THE CAR STOPPED ABOUT TWO FEET FROM HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE..AND THE OTHER GAS STATION.. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED IN THE ACCIDENT.. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WITH MY WIFE RIDING THE BRAKE UNTIL WE HIT THE VAN.. WITNESSES SAID THEY HEARD THE BRAKES SQUEALING AS WE WERE COMING OUT OF THE GAS STATION AREA.. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 171,000. UPDATED 07/29/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA REGARDING A RECALL FOR THE SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SIDE AIR BAGS WERE OK. UPDATED 08/03/10.*JB

ON DRIVING, SMOKE AND FIRE FROM PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS DID NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE FRONT DOORS TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK THE REAR DOORS BEFORE EXITING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMEMBER WHAT THE DEALER SAID NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THAT SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO HER. UPDATED 1/19/2010 UPDATED 04/20/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE LEAKING COOLANT AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON WITH HIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 99,000.

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MUCH DIFFICULTY WITH ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING MY 02 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE..I STEP ON THE GAS AND THE CAR HESITATES TO ACCELERATE..THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES HARD..THIS IS NOW ON A DAILY BASIS WHENEVER I DRIVE. *TR