2002 Toyota Camry: misfire or rough idle

Filed Apr 18, 2018 · Engine · 107,000 miles · FL

I bought my 2002 camry new. I maintained it properly every step of the way. At 107k miles a gurgling sound began in the engine and rough idling, and the temperature went straight to h, took immediately to my experienced auto mechanic, he put in a new radiator. Within days the gurgling and rough idling began again. Once again I took it to my mechanic. After thoroughly checking the engine (he even called in another top mechanic for a second opinion) and then told me the bad news. 2002-06 toyota camry's have a flaw in the bolt design that causes the cylinder head to separate from the engine block resulting in the coolant leaking to the engine. When I bought the car the salesman said camry's run for 300k miles, well he neglected to tell me that after only 107k miles because of this flaw in the engine you will have a blown head gasket and stripped head bolts so the seal is not tight -- so you need to replace the engine!!!! After looking online, I see this is far from an isolated case!!! Toyota is well aware of this engine flaw. They need to pay for these very expensive engine replacements!!!! My mechanic said toyota used steel head bolts in an aluminum engine. Very bad! Steel and aluminum expand and contract at different rates, which causes the problem!

Filed Oct 17, 2013 · Engine · 143,000 miles · IL

After taking my car to a local mechanic because of overheating, a coolant leak, and misfiring, I brought my camry to a certified toyota dealership. I explained to the toyota representative of the fore mentioned issues. After conducting an inspection, the toyota rep. Told me I had a bad coil in cylinder #2, and found pressure leaking into #2 and #3 cylinders. After a further tear down of the engine, it was discovered that the engine had loose head bolts in these cylinders, and that the threads on the engine for these bolts was stripped. They told me that there is no fix to this problem and quoted me a new engine with 90,000 miles with an estimate cost between $5000-$6000. Furthermore, I was told replacing the coil at $227, would fix the misfiring. However this did not fix the misfiring problem, as the misfire was due because of the loose head bolts which was explained to me by the dealership as well. This conflicting information LED me to believe it was safe to drive the vehicle as long as coolant was plentiful in the radiator and over flow reservoir. However, the overheating, leaking of coolant and misfiring continues. The misfiring creates dangerous random stalls.

Filed Jul 26, 2010 · Engine · 78,000 miles · TX

On my camry 2002 se engine stalls and/or rough idles anytime while cold or after being warmed up. Premature and unjustified throttle body failure is suspected.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Engine · 97,000 miles · TX

3/21/2008 car stopped running while on expressway. Towed 50 miles into dealership alamo toyota, san antonio, tx =not where purchased 100 miles from residence. Told engine mounting bolts sheered off into the engine block which caused crack. Engine had to be replaced. Dealer found salvage engine with 37000 miles on it. Owner did not receive proof of the mileage. Dealer kept used engine $4,000.00+. Included used longblock, oil, oil filter coolant rear main seal, fipc, radiator cleaning. Owner rented at own expense rental vehicle. Told car was repaired. Picked car up drove off lot, turned around and went back into dealership. Car was misfiring. Had to leave car again. Additional $235.00 to replace 4 coils april 11,2008. On may 2 2008, A/C stopped cooling. Took car into champion toyota, austin texas. $613.00 for AC condenser, condenser assy, relay, warranty. Ac condenser leaking, probably damaged during radiator cleaning at alamo toyota.

Filed Sep 28, 2007 · Engine, Transmission · 108,000 miles · NJ

At about 105,000 miles on my 2002 camry v6, the car experienced hesitating driving while driven at speeds above 40 MPH when removing slightly the foot from the throttle pedal. The car is bucking backward and forward for indefinite time until the throttle pedal is fully depressed or fully pressed. This is an unsafe situation since on the highway the speed cannot be decreased or increased any time. Notified dealer and told that this cannot be identified since there is no error code generated (no check engine light on). Replaced all spark plugs at 108,000 miles on aug 24, 2007. Problem not solved. Spouse noticed increased bucking while driving down hill. Went back to the dealer. Performed test drive with technician in the car and the diagnose system hooked to the car's computer. Detected some misfires on cylinders 5 and 6. Replaced solenoid ignition packs for cylinder 5 & 6 and test drove again. Problem not solved. Technician concluded that fuel injectors are clogged. Performed fuel injectors purge (cleaning). Problem not solved. Technician recommended to replace all fuel injectors and solenoid ignition packs. Car was maintained properly during the ownership. Oil & filter changed every 3000 miles, replaced air filter every 30,000 miles, replaced timing belt and belt tensioners at 87,000 miles, replaced water pump at 87,000 miles, flushed transmission fluid at 87,000 miles. From reading various customers complaints, it appears to be a transmission problem but dealer did not mention anything about it.