2002 Toyota Camry: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 27, 2023 · Engine, Steering · 180,000 miles · AZ · fire

The contact owned a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the steering wheel had seized up and the vehicle had begun to lose forward momentum. The contact heard an abnormal "popping" sound at the moment the steering had stopped functionality. The contact stated she was not aware of any warning lights. The contact pulled off of the roadway and stopped, as she placed the vehicle in park (P) she noted smoke coming from the front. The contact stated she exited the vehicle and saw that there were flames from under the vehicle. The contact stated that after about 2 to 3 minutes the entire front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the flames using foam and other chemicals. The police were also on scene and filed a report. The vehicle was towed away to an impound lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Electrical · MA · fire

The electrical/switch inside the passenger side door caught on fire, with out warning, while driving. There was a passenger in the vehicle at the time. Driver pulled over when smoke was visible. Flames were soon visible, driver poured water on the flames in effort to extinguish the fire. Flames were reduced but the door began to melt and the window shattered. Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after calling 911. State police, fire, and ambulance arrived shortly after. Thankfully there were no injuries. The insurance was also called and a claim was filed. An adjuster was assigned to the claim to inspect the cause of the fire. After reading numerous reports of the same incident it sounds like this is a known issue that Toyota has not taken responsibility for. Serious injury could have occurred to the driver and passenger if quick action was not taken.

Filed Mar 14, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 154,200 miles · CA · crash · fire · 1 injury

Driving on the freeway, check engine light came on, smoke coming out of the hood, brakes and emergency brake failed, vehicle accelerated on its own (no pedals were working), car crashed and fire engulfed the vehicle

Filed Mar 7, 2017 · Fuel system · VA

I have a 2002 toyota camry le 4 cylinder. After the vehicle sits for 3 days in a stationary position on the street, at startup I see white smoke coming from the tailpipe. The white smoke will last for about 60 seconds and go away. I have read other people with camrys with this same issue. My vehicle has only 78,000 miles and the oil level is always full. This should be a recall toyota needs to check in about.

Filed Sep 14, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 112,000 miles · WA · fire

Husband was driving home from playing golf on the highway. As he headed north up the hill, he pressed the gas. The car promptly jerked then completely shut down/ceized. Husband immediately looked at the temperature gauge, which read normal, as well as the gas gauge (full). As he stepped from the car to pop the hood, he could smell smoke. In opening the hood, there was a small flame that within 1-2 minutes, completely engulfed the engine/hood. Husband immediately called the fire department, as the car continued to grow in flames which spread to a brush fire. Husband was not injured and there were no other persons involved in this accident (non-collision). Both the fire department and state trooper arrived to the scene and took a full report and inspection of the accident. All parties agreed this was the result of a vehicle malfunction, as cars do not nor should they just catch fire! The car was completely destroyed and was towed.

Filed Apr 27, 2012 · Engine · 100,000 miles · TN · fire

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.

Filed Jan 9, 2011 · Electrical · 104,100 miles · AZ · fire

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.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Acceleration · 35,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry . The contact stated that while starting the vehicle up and while having his foot on the brake the vehicle accelerated on its own. After he shifted the vehicle into neutral and then to park and turned it off, there was smoke coming through hood from the engine. The dealer was contacted and they stated that it was impossible for this to happen. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and failure could not duplicated . There have been no repairs done to the vehicle . The failure was 35,000. Updated 03/04/10. *lj the consumer stated the pedal became stuck. The consumer stated he experienced the same problem with a second camry. Updated 09/16/10

Filed Jan 27, 2010 · Engine · 75,000 miles · TX · fire

I was driving to work in my 2002 toyota camry when all of a sudden I saw a fire and smoke coming from under the hood. When I lifted the hood I noticed that the exhaust was red near the burn site. After looking on the internet I found several complaints with this model catching fire while driving. *cn

Filed Apr 8, 2004 · Engine · 8,000 miles · TN

Consumer took vehicle' to dealer for an oil change, and since then the vehicle emitted gray smoke. Dealer determined that transmission needed to be replaced. Consumer took vehicle to an independent mechanic, who replaced corroded spark plug wires, and gave the vehicle a tune up. Also the mechanic determined that smoke came from a defective valve seal or rings . *ak it was finally determined that the transmission was not the problem it was the engine which needed to be replaced.

Filed Mar 10, 2004 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · NJ

The vehicle is slipping out of gear. There is a leak in the transmission line. This is causing a delay in acceleration. Dealer replaced the transmission line, and 5,000 miles later transmission line was leaking again. Also, radio was replaced three times due to burning smell, and radio staying on when engine is off.

Filed Oct 4, 2002 · Fuel system · AZ · fire

Smelled gas fumes, dealer basically told us not to worry. When driving along to take vehicle to dealer it caught on fire and then exploded. Vehicle only 1 month old and I had this problem since a week after purchase. Mr