The car is burning a quart of oil a week and no visible signs of a leak. The door locks do not work only the drivers side door opens withe the key and fob.
2002 Toyota Camry engine complaints
Page 2 of 7: complaints 11 to 40 of 165, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to drive, the gauges start to go crazy, and the vehicle lunged and then stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle and push it over to the side of the road with assistance from another person. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced along with the battery cable. The vehicle was repaired. Afterwards, while reversing the vehicle, it stalled. The technician replaced the alternator a second time. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle 30 miles from the independent mechanic, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ground wires needed to be replaced and the battery cable. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that two weeks later, the vehicle was rattling and failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted the following day. The contact stated that a new battery was installed two days ago, but the failure continued. The contact also stated that the vehicle ran out of oil and three quarts had to be added. The oil had to be changed every 700 miles. The contact also stated that the valve cover gasket and the catalytic convertor failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming too much oil and shook when driving more than 50 MPH. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and provided case number: 1909271661. The approximate failure mileage was 23,800.
I was coming out of my mechanic driveway and I let cars go by down a busy street> my foot was clearly on the brake and suddenly I heard a wining noise and my the accelerated on it's own and went across the road and hit a car in the middle of the street. I said to myself this car is causing me to have an accident. I had my mechanic check the brakes ABS and transmission no problem with that.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. The contact stated that a bolt fractured in the engine assembly and anti-freeze was leaking. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine bolt may need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Excessive oil usage. Car at 4 years old and less than 40k miles was reported to the dealer as using 1q of oil every 1500 miles. At 60k it was using 1q every 1000 miles. All the times this was reported to the dealer I was told this is normal oil consumption, now at 100k it is using 1q every 300 miles and I am being told I need new rings. I believe the 02 camry is experiencing the exact same thing the later models were recalled for and toyota was hiding the fact this is a problem with their 4 cyl models. This will eventually become a smog emissions issue with the oil usage. Contacted the 1-800 toyota number and they said it isn't under a campaign and wont do anything about it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. While driving, smoke could be seen coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning indicators illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve cover failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The contact would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was 160,000.
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!
At 145,000 miles the head gasket failed due to 3 stripped head bolt.
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.
The engine will begin to jerk and then it will not idle. I have to turn it off for at least 15 minutes before it will restart then it runs well for a month or so before it happens again. I have had it to the dealer who cleaned the throttle body. That did not help. The car has 151000 miles on it has presents this problem about every 3000 miles always when the engine is at operating temperature. When this happens on the interstate, it is very dangerous to try to move out of the way of other traffic.
The engine light came on and I took it to find out why, and was told it was the catalytic converter, so I had it repaired, the light was off. I was driving on the 70 highway in st louis, mo when going around a circular off ramp the car turned off and it would not turn back on. I lift the hood but could not tell what was wrong. Mo dot (highway tow service) pushed me off of the road, and the driver said it was the engine. I called aaa and had them take it to a repair station, but it was closed. I left it there till morning and went back the next morning to check on it. It started and I let it run a few minutes till someone could look at it. I drove it to the bay and the tech ran a computer check on it ( see printout). He said take it back to the other place but it stopped on the lot. The worker lifted the hood, and it was spewing from the radiator! He said turn it off, and after looking said the problem was with the radiator, the head gasket and the engine! It would not start back up, and I was told it would cost $4,500 to repair it!!! I had it towed to another repair place and was told the same!!! Before this, I had no problems, no lights had come on and no indicators of any problems!! I checked toyota's site and found that this is a common problem with the engines and head gaskets!!! This should be repaired!!!! Contact me!!! I am not in a position to purchase then repair this car that has unreported problems that you are aware of. !!!!!!! I am 63 years old with bad back issues, my toyota sitting in my driveway, and I am stuck at home, not even close to a bus stop!!!!!!!
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.
Head gasket failure due to head bolt was stripped, common in toyotas why I see I have 107xxx miles in my car
The exhaust manifold on my 2002 toyota camry with 2.4l cracked. It seems to be a common problem on these cars. My camry only had a little over 60,000 miles when it happened. Other toyota cars have been recalled for the same problems. Brake need long distance.
The exhaust manifold on my 2002 toyota camry with 2.4l cracked. It seems to be a common problem on these cars. My camry only had a little over 60,000 miles when it happened. Other toyota cars have been recalled for the same problems.
Took the car to good year change a bunch of parts. Aftet that took the car to get the oil changed. On the 01/27/2016 check engine light is now on the the vehicle. I sent you are report last week as well. I need your intervention. Please stop toyota from ripping consumer off. It now states that the gas cap is off and or loose. This is not the case.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. While operating the vehicle, smoke appeared coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket had blown due to the head gasket bolt stripping from the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Stripped head bolts.
Sudden unintend acceleration at slow speed--on december 17, 2015, when pulling slowly into a garage and nearly stopped, the car suddenly surged forward raming the car into the garage interior wall. This resulted in "totaling the car" and damage to the garage and property in the garage. This is the second time that this sudden unintend acceleration occurred with this 2002 camry . It also occurred on january 20, 2010 with a different driver (my wife) who had her foot on the brake when pulling into a parking spot. The car suddenly surged forward about three car lengths causing damage to the underside of the vehicle. We filed a complaint with the federal safety agency on january 30, 2010 (seereference number 10303355). For the 2010 incidence the car was towed to a toyota dealer where repairs where made. When we picked up our car from the toyota dealer, we noted that none of the repair items on the invoice mentioned accelerations problems. Several days later after complaining to the toyota service manager, he agreed to perform a "courtesy inspection of accelerator pedal assembley for any possible binding sticking slow return or abnormal performance." no problems were noted. The service manager said the vehicle was safe to drive. In both incidences the surges were quick, unintended, and at very slow speeds. The incidences involved two different drivers.
2002 toyota camry. Consumer writes in regards to engine and valve head gasket failure due to poor design in the head bolt attachment. *smd the consumer requested toyota replace the engine before a failure occurred. Toyota declined to assist the consumer.
I had an accident with my toyota while my husband was driving on a city street and I was sitting beside him. We hit a car when it stopped suddenly. The seat belt and air bags did not protect me. My head strongly hit the windshield.
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.
02 camry 2.4l 5 spd: bought the car from a bay area toyota dealer 2 yrs ago, aug 2013. Car did have 36k miles on day of purchase and does have 53.5k on it when engine issue occurred. Used the car as a back up or weekend car. Work car is a 92 camry 4 cyc with 279k (original motor). Decide to use 02 camry for work and temp gauge went to hot, check coolant level and it was empty, although 2 days prior to the engine issue, my car's coolant was good. Added water to cooling system and noticed severe leak of water from the back of the engine. Spoke to two mechanics I usually go to and they did not even check the car, they already knew the problem. Decide to call a toyota tech mechanic I know to check the car, he had informed me of stip head bolts, same issue the other two mechanic had mention to me. Did went to the dealer next day and inform of this issue, they recommend time sert which cost about $4500. They had also told me to call customer care, but I doubt customer care will be able to help me with this issue because I've seen people post online who had contact customer care re: this issue and did not do anything. Been a die hard toyota guy, with this issue, been disappointed with toyota's craftsmanship on the 2.4l engines.. In fact the toyota tech I spoke to had mention this is common issue with this engine model and had also informed me the newer engine model, 2.5l has also a defect, piston ring issue which dealer had been replacing those engine. At this time there is no recall for this strip head bolt. I guess toyota is waiting for some one to get hurt from this issue before they start act; such as car stalling in the middle of the freeway due to blow head gasket and getting hit by another motorist. I was just lucky enough to see my temperature gauge went to hot and was able to park the car to safety.
Cylinder head bolts pulled out of the block causing catastrophic engine failure
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine valve cover needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the temperature gauge started to fluctuate as hot air blew into the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Defective valve cover gasket refer to chrysler valve cover recall.
Cylinder head gasket leak, cylinder head bolts stripped. Coolant lost.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. The contact stated that exhaust smoke started to emit from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that engine pressure was excessive causing the engine bolts to separate and the head gasket to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
2002 toyota camry. Attorney representing consumer writes in regards to vehicle engine cylinder head bolts service bulletin. *smd the engine failed while driving in heavy traffic, less than six months after the vehicle was purchased. The mechanic informed the consumer, after the damage and the extensive re-build of the engine, other parts would began to fail.
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