2002 Toyota Camry: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jun 15, 2010 · Acceleration · 173,000 miles · VA · crash

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..

Filed Jun 8, 2010 · Brakes · 121,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 20, 2010 · Steering · 58,000 miles · OK

Problem with anti-lock brakes. I have had two occurrence. One while driving through my resident parking lot at a speed of 10 miles per hour, I applied the brakes. I heard a grinding sound of the brakes. My hands was blasted off the steering wheel and I felt a hard thump in the seat which eject me toward the ceiling of my car. I lost control of the car. I ended up facing the rear of the car near driver door. The second incident occurred while driving to work in the snow. I was driving 20 mile per hour and applied the brakes. The same thing happened as mention before. Hands blasted off steering wheel, hard thump in seat, and ejection out of the driver set. Had toyota to repair brakes at cost of nearly $450. I never got an explanation of why my hands were blasted off the steering wheel or the hard thump in the seat which lead to me being ejected out of the seat. The parking lot was smooth surface, so I did not hit a bump.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Steering · 8,351 miles · IL

Constant squeaking from my steering wheel. Repaired twice at toyota dealer but still squeaks. Brought car to my repair shop an it still squeaks. First incident an second took place under warranty. Usually squeaks in cold weather.

Filed Feb 7, 2010 · 90,000 miles · CA · crash

I pulled into a parking lot for the salvation army in san rafael, ca and was attempting to park my 2002 toyota camry in a parking slot. All of a sudden the car lurched forward with the engine revving at high speed right after I applied the brakes. My car plowed into a toyota truck and pushed it through the parking lot for two rows before my car came to a stop. A witness stated that she heard the motor revving and the brakes squealing at the same time my car was pushing the truck across the lot. This has never happened previously and we are the original owners.

Filed Jun 6, 2008 · Engine · 92,000 miles · NH

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. While driving 2 MPH, she heard a grinding noise then the vehicle shut off without warning. The dealer stated that engine mounting bolts sheered off into the engine block, which caused the corner of the engine to crack. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. As of june 6, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 92,000. The VIN was unavailable

Filed Dec 8, 2006 · Brakes · 115,640 miles · NC

I was driving my wife's 2002 camry se v6. Traveling at approximately 45-50 MPH applied brakes to make a right turn at traffic light (light was red) and brakes continued to travel to floor without stopping vehicle. I quickly released brake pedal and pumped brake. Car then slowed but I had to make a very aggressive tire squealing right turn. If I did not think to pump brake I don't feel that car would have slowed at all. If I was not making a right turn, by the time the brakes activated the vehicle would have entered or passed the intersection before coming to a complete stop. This happened at approx. 5:30 am. I took vehicle to toyota dealership at 8 am the same morning. The dealership said they "could not duplicate concern".

Filed Mar 15, 2005 · Steering · TX

While turning and driving at low speeds driver heard a loud squeaking noise coming from the steering wheel. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that steering wheel needed lubrication. *ak dealer lubricated steering column booth according to tsb relating to problem. Consumer felt this is just a temporary fix, and parts are defective and should be replaced. Manufacture notified.

Filed Dec 14, 2004 · Body, Brakes · MD

Have very serious concerns with brake system on my car. Brakes repaired on numerous occasions . Consumer feel this problem could lead to a serious automobile accident if not corrected. *bf nar *jls the rear brakes were noisy and made a grinding sound. The front brakes vibrated, the consumer replaced the front brake pads and rotors. The consumer stated that the trunk flaps and clips were installed to fix the problem. The left front door kick panel came loose. Bond pak primer applied to fix the problem. The consumer stated that the vehicle shimmies when driving at high speeds. Vehicle front wheels out of balance. The problem was not with the wheel balance but with the brakes. Rotors where warped. The consumer stated that the moon roof does not open smoothly it jolts and shakes the car roof. The consumer smelled a rotten egg smell when the heater and air conditioner was used. The consumer was told that it was burning sulfur and it would diminish at 25000 miles. 35000 miles the smell was still there. *tc the rear view defogger was replaced.

Filed Jun 8, 2004 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · NY

My toyota camry 2002 se v6 everyday is making a loud squealing sound when I turn the wheel and a clunking sound when I shift into drive from park. Now the main problem is when I'm driving my car it accelerates and then it just goes into "neutral" at whatever speed I'm going at and then kicks back with a punch (that jerks my head back) into gear. It does it evry day since I had the car. I talked to toyota and of course, they blame me. I baby my car . Change the oil every 2000 miles and nothing but mobil gas. I'm scared to take my car in because I don't want the dealer saying I owe a billion dollars to get it fix and use some excuse to avoid the warranty. I have talked to a couple of the repair guys at toyota and they know about this problem and even have told me almost every 1st generation toyota(like mine) have this problem. And that toyota refuses to do a recall. Please help. I;m taking my car in because I'm about to approach the warranty limit. I din't get the extended warranty. I mean jezz it's a camry , who needs a warranty . I didn't have one for my old camry 1993.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

Driver side window did not roll smoothly. Squeaked but was only fixed after taking the car a dealer a third time. Sputtering/rattling sound seems to be coming from the engine when the car is idle or upon cold start. Sound gets progressively louder. Dealer claims that no sounds were heard. Car also hesitates when responding to acceleration. In researching for answers, I found that the driver's side airbag has a recall. I was in disbelief when I found that no efforts were made in contacting me about an airbag recall! I feel utterly disappointed. I'd come from a "honda" family and decided to give toyota a try. I have learnt my lesson now that buying a brand new toyota means having to check up on recalls and problems.

Filed Jan 17, 2004 · Airbags, Body · 5,000 miles · MA

1. Loud creaking and rattles: after many attempts at repairs, the problem finally turned out to be a manufacturing defect. They left plastic assembly guides in place, which they had to remove by removing the window again (this was a super secret service bulletin that was divulged only when the customer engineer for new england showed up). But he dealership managed to chip the paint in the process, requiring the roof to be repainted. Once the creak was gone, the interior rattles were unbearable from all the quality work completed. 2. Transmission issue: I've been assured by the service manager at me dealership that it is normal the transmission take at least a mile shift out of second gear when below 30f and to a lesser degree during warm weather. The car won't shift into third or overdriven until after least 1-2 minute of driving, no matter what speed. 3. Transmission issue: when lifting off the throttle from 60 to 55mph on a downhill, there's a "hitch" or bucking where the transmission abruptly catches, then releases. Almost like it down shifting, but it stops half way. This has been an annoying problem since day one. The bucking problem is annoying and problematic. It was solved by reset the computer and showed up again at 42,000 miles. They are blaming it on the adaptive micro-processor and my driving style. (warranty) 4. Door rattles: driver's side and passenger side doors rattle/tick when going over bumps. I asked the service manager that was let go about the rattle, and he explained it's normal for new camry's to have the doors make that make noise. Constant use of silicone was advised by the dealership. 5. Airbag recall 6. Passenger seat replacement due to poor construction and squeaking 7. Check engine light for defective charcoal canister 8. Warped front brake rotors 9. Pealing chrome on passenger door handle. (warranty) 10. Flaking paint on exterior door handles. * cb