2002 Toyota Camry: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Toyota Camry: 4 recalls, 953 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #01V306000 · 2001 · 2 vehicles
What's wrong: Incomplete deployment of the front passenger side air bag could occur in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag assembly. Both owners were notified by telephone and arrangements have been made to correct this problem. This campaign is 100% completed. Both owners have been notified and their vehicles repaired.
Tires Vehicle recall #01V302000 · 2001 · 19 vehicles
What's wrong: The incorrect tires were installed on vehicles that had damaged tires. The tires were damaged during a port upgrade to aluminum wheels.
Why it matters: The tires do not conform to the speed rating for the vehicle. If the vehicle exceeded the maximum speed rating (112 mph), possible tire failure could occur.
The fix: Dealers will replace all five tires. Owner notification began September 13, 2001.
Airbags Vehicle recall #01V372000 · 2001 · 19,587 vehicles
What's wrong: During air bag deployment, it is possible that the bottom seam of the front driver's side air bag module cover (horn pad) could be torn away allowing the bottom portion of the cover to completely detach from the air bag module.
Why it matters: If this should occur, there is a possibility that the detached bottom portion May strike the driver causing personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag module. Owner notification began December 28, 2001.
Airbags Vehicle recall #04V346000 · 2004 · 128,316 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vehicles equipped with curtain shield air bags (csa), one or both of the curtain air bags May be twisted near the inflator due to improper assembly.
Why it matters: If this occurs, the csa May not deploy rapidly enough when activated in a side impact collision. This May result in failure to provide the intended head protection, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the csas and replace the air bag assembly if necessary. The recall began on August 6, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 20 mention a fire, 135 injuries and 12 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (281): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (124).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (146): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (47), noise or vibration (23).
- Engine & cooling (107): the most common themes are warning light on (21), stalls / loses power (20), fire / smoke (13).
- Airbags (89): the most common themes are fails to deploy (46).
The 2002 Toyota Camry has 953 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 35 Camry model years for complaints (1.9× the average Camry year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (164 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (272 complaints, 2 recalls), 2003 (781 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Toyota Camry.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Toyota Camry problems?
Owners have filed 953 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (281), brakes (hydraulic) (146), engine & cooling (107).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Camry get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Toyota Camry repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.