2002 Toyota Camry: sudden loss of power

Filed Jan 20, 2011 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · CA

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.

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 Jul 21, 2010 · Acceleration · 58,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jun 22, 2010 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. She stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the electrical system failed causing the vehicle to lose power and the ABS system failed. The dealer advised that the vehicle computer system was damaged causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jan 22, 2010 · Acceleration · 130,739 miles · NC

We have 02 toyota camry le, 4 cyl. On 12/23/09 we experienced a power loss. Fortunately it occurred in our driveway; the engine would idle normally, but there was no power from depressing the accelerator pedal. The car was towed to a local garage. The corrective action was the replacement of the gas pedal assembly. This is all electronic, our part cost was $447.75 plus labor and taxes. I think this component should be considered as a potential in the toyota recall.

Filed Dec 14, 2009 · Brakes, Engine · 138,000 miles · IN

2002 camry xle v6...at 138,000 miles while waiting at a traffic signal during rush hour the engine stalls and after 4 attempts finally restarts. The car continued to not idle the rest of my trip home - stalling every time I slowed down to stop or turn a corner...very unsafe...didn't trust the car to make it to mechanic. Car was towed, mechanic could find nothing wrong. It happened again 3 more times within a week. Same scenario, towed to mechanic, found nothing wrong because the check engine light does not come on and therefore the computer does not register any issues. Mechanic cleaned all sensors, idle valve, dealership and independent mechanic find nothing wrong. Car was fine until july 4, weekend and did the same thing twice again. Mechanic finds nothing because it so random. Same situation in november while turning car stalled because it would not idle, lost power steering and brakes and almost hit another car while turning. 3 mechanics and no one can find anything wrong. Have also experienced the issues mentioned with brakes and rotors which have been replaced 3 times.