2002 Toyota Camry: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Mar 21, 2018 · Engine · 244,000 miles · NJ · crash

Two separate episodes of rapid uncontrolled acceleration on 27jan2018 and 09feb2018 resulting in vehicle moving forward and engine running rapidly. First episode occurred while moving into my garage causing car to knock down three cases of water and hitting storage area; second episode occurred while pulling out of atm area the vehicle accelerated, had to swear left not to hit another car, hitting bank stop sign. Had to place car in neutral, brakes did not slow vehicle. Second episode witnessed by passage in front seat. After first episode drove care carefully locally and it did not reoccur, until approximately two weeks later when second episode occurred at atm site. When getting car home placed car in neutral before stopping, made appointment for dealership service department to check care on 12feb2018. Able to drive to dealership, slowly and using neutral gear prior to breaking. Dealership, after examining for approximately an hour said car was fine. Not happy with this result since there is something wrong to create such a frightening acceleration. At dealership called toyota customer service to start review process of these events. In progress now. Toyota has said car was inspected (no road test) and car is safe to drive. I do not feel car is safe to drive. I am completing this complaint to make sure the issue is addressed. I am the only owner of this car since it was new and know there is something wrong that either is undiscovered or unrevealed. Thank you for reviewing this form.

Filed Feb 3, 2017 · Engine · 110,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. While driving 30 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle did not stall, but there was a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and a tow truck service was requested. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cylinder head bolts were defective and caused the engine to overheat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2013 · Acceleration, Body · 20 miles · AL · crash

I drove up in front of mosses town hall building in lowndes county al as I tried to put on brakes to park the car it begin to accelerate and jump the parking bumps and hit the building knocking down the wall of bricks and that's when it stopped. I immediately got out of the car and looked and took a look. There were person in the other side of the building who ran out to see were I okay. This was the first and I hope the last incident I had with the car.

Filed Jun 29, 2011 · Acceleration · 165,000 miles · AR · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Mar 30, 2010 · Acceleration · 92,000 miles · RI · crash

Veh# 1 was exiting burbank ave turning left onto colonel john gardner when the floor mat became stuck' under the gas pedal,ca;using the vehicle to race forward.mcc turned the wheel but drove across the front lawn at 140 cjg . Vehicle then went across the street into the circuliar driveway at cjg striking several landscaping oiers , knocking sthem on the ground. The vehicle then went thru an 8! Foot section of split rail fence and ran over a ail box post with 3 mailboxes on the property on the property of133 cjg. Vehicle then crossed sthe street and struck a tree causing extensive front end damage.

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Suspension · 43,000 miles · VA

I have a 2002 camry and there is a knocking sound when making left hand turns. I've noticed several other complaints that are similar, so this must be a defect with the car. I was told that my struts and mounts needed to be replaced - along with my brakes.

Filed Apr 9, 2004 · Acceleration · CA · crash

Witnesses saw my parents vehicle (a 2002 toyota camry) coming to a stop and then suddenly accelerate.*ak updated 03/05/10 *bf according to the police report, the driver pulled into a parking space on the fourth floor, when suddenly the vehicle accelerated, drove over the parking curb, struck the concrete barrier wall knocking it out. The consumer then drove over the side, falling 36 feet and landing on its roof. Updated 09/23/10 updated 8/21/2011

Filed Mar 8, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · 17,250 miles · FL

Since I purchased this car it has been problems, first it was the brakes vibrating, took it in and right away the dealer knew what it was without me even explaining it to him, they fixed that in 2 trips. Then it was the rotten egg smell, they could not find anything wrong.(then why does my car stink when I try to get power out of the engine?) then it was the knocking and pinging in the engine, (I was told that they could not duplicate the problem, but my octane level was low to upgrade my gas. The manufacturers provided owners manual states 87 octane gas or higher, I already use 89 octane and have since the day I bought the car, so why should I have to spend money on higher priced gas when the car is only 1 year old and the engine should not make any noises. Now it is the tires and alignment the alignment is completely off that the tires are destroyed with only 17,250 miles on them, yet the car shows no sign of the alignment being off, it drives straight stays in one lane and the steering wheel is even straight, so how after one year with low miles is the alignment off and the tires are destroyed, and why was it unnoticed when I had my tires balanced and rotated 2 months earlier at 15,000 miles? By the same dealership! I feel that this car has alot of problems that the manufacturer does not want to address, look at how many other people are having the same problems, and we are all told that it is wear and tear or that there is no problem at all, well then why are we all having the same problems? I called toyota's main office logged a complaint and was told that someone would get back to me, it has been 3 days now and not one call has come my way! I feel that I should not have to pay for the repairs to this car since it is a nation wide problem, especially since it is a $27000.00 car that has depreciated in value by more than $7000.00 in less than one year, what happened to toyota's retaining there value? I wish everybody much luck with their issues.

Filed Jan 13, 2003 · Acceleration · FL · crash

Consumer stated while pulling into a parking space and without any indication, the vehicle accelerated, jumping over a parking block and knocking down a tree. The dealer and manufactured had been contacted. Please provide further information.*jb updated 7/2/12 *cn updated 07/12/12