My 2002 toyota camry with 72,500 miles had the check light come on. I took it to a toyota dealer in columbia, sc. I was told the engine had sludge and would soon stop working. I told the dealer I changed the oil regularly when needed but the dealer said it was my fault.
2002 Toyota Camry engine complaints
Page 5 of 7: complaints 101 to 130 of 165, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2002 toyota camry, engine stall/low idle problem at 60k miles, no codes on obd replaced spark plugs, coil pack, fuel injection service but still same problem, no error code on diagnostics.
2002 toyota camry has foul odor coming from HVAC vents. Dealer has removed fan enclosure in engine and cleaned out and added disinfectant. Odor remains a problem.
2002 toyota camry, stalls as coming to a stop or slowing down for traffic, turning or someone pulling in front of me in traffic. Car will not start for 20 minutes. When trying to start car before 20 minutes it turns over but not start or has a hard time starting and sputters till I can pull over off the street and stalls in a parking lot. When I wait the full 20 plus minutes the car starts as if never had a problem. By the time I get to the dealer or another repair shop they can not find anything wrong or say it has to do with the emissions control and they do not guarantee that may be that problem & I may have to bring the car back in & I will not be refunded my money & will have to pay more out of the pocket. This has been going on for 2 years. It is worse in the heat & humidity (happens more often).
Oil sludge build up resulting in potential for engine seizure and fire.
I own a 2002 toyota camry purchased new from dealership and regularly maintained. The check engine light came on while my daughter was driving the car and so I took it to our mechanic who said it was a faulty sensor which he replaced. The next day the check engine light came on again while she was driving and she was just able to make it back to the mechanic's shop with the car running roughly. The mechanic advised that the engine (136,000 miles) had suffered a "blown" head gasket. He recommended replacing the head gasket but warned me that because of the aluminum casting of the engine that there was a good chance that when he removed the steel bolts they would strip out the aluminum threads and then I would be looking at a new engine. Unfortunately that is what happened - total cost to put in a reasonably "new" used engine (from a 2009 scion) was $5,800. I understand that things can happen and am not unduly upset that the head gasket was blown however, something as basic as knowing that you should not use steel bolts in an aluminum thread should be remedied by toyota. When a repair such as mine is undertaken there is a high probability of the bolts stripping out the aluminum threads. When that happens the cost of repair goes from approximately 1600 to replace a blown head gasket to 5800 to replace an entire engine. This is really a design flaw that should be obvious to any engineer and should be remedied by toyota.
My 2002 camry le check eng. Light came on from a coolant leak was told by the dealership I needed a new motor at the cost of $3,500 the car was only three years old it was a lease certified buy back also when I bought it the windshield washer went bad less then a month was told I had to fix on my own they the motor ran hot but the coolant gage never indicated the problem.
At subzero temperature (below 0) car starts with check engine light on (error code p1128), traction control and vsc disabled. Idle at 600-800 RPM. Engine does not respond to acceleration pedal, so car is not drivable. After warming engine up and erasing error code from ecu car drives normally.
Vehicle started smoking (white smoke) I took vehicle to dealer he advised that the prior year vehicles had a defect of the motor sludging up but my model had been redesigned and that it was due to me not changing the oil filter my husband owns a repair shop and had done the oil changes and replaced the filters the vehicle was still under 50,000 but dealer would not take care of problem.
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.
To whom it may concern: we purchased a 2002 toyota camry from arlington toyota, jacksonville, florida- new in december 2001. We have always owned toyotas with no problems. Presently the car has 64,000 miles. On june 26 the check engine light came on for about an hour and then went off, after that the A/C stopped working. We took the car into coggin toyota at the avenues on june 28 and were given a bill of $1154 with an explanation that the entire A/C condenser assembly, air flow sensor and air fuel sensor needed replacement. Obviously we had to pay for this and have it done as we're going out of town and have a child who rides in this car regularly, but this is beyond ridiculous. For this age of a car, and supposedly being the most reliable and highly rated car for that year this should not have happened. This car has not been in any bad accidents and is not driven excessively. All routine maintenance is performed on a regular basis. This is clearly a defect on toyota's part and needs to be compensated for. We should not have had to pay this much for a repair on this type of car, whether or not the warranty is expired. I expected much more from toyota than we have presently experienced and am very disappointed and frustrated. We had planned to purchase a new sienna within the next few years but now will look else where. ************ kristi b. Gabriel, lmt, ba, mba healing waters therapy
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. While driving 2 MPH, she heard a grinding noise then the vehicle shut off without warning. The dealer stated that engine mounting bolts sheered off into the engine block, which caused the corner of the engine to crack. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. As of june 6, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 92,000. The VIN was unavailable
I purchased a 2002 toyota camry new and recently noticed the car blowing blue smoke on start up in the mornings. I took the car to my dealer where they did an eval. They are suggesting that I have the valve stem seals replaced at a cost of around $2,000.00. I was shocked. My car is 5 years old with 77,000 miles. How could this be? I have taken excellent care of my car, getting oil changes every 3,000 miles (and have the receipts and records to prove it. In fact the dealer handled all the oil changes and service for me, up till the last 2 oil changes.) I know there was a class action suit for an oil sludge/gel problem, which after reading everything on the internet, I believe is probably the real issue with my car, but everything I've read says it ended with the 2001 camry models. Have you heard or received any complaints for the 2002 models as well? Any information or advice you could give me would be much appreciated!
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota camry. The contact stated that the engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. She stated that there was a faulty charcoal canister that needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 82,630. Updated 07/15/08 *bf updated *jb 07/15/08
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.
Toyota camry le 2.4 l winter weather cause to vvt on auto to fail and stall engine. Stalled engine caused lost of controls, steering, brakes, etc..parts replaced were oxygen sensors, cat.convertor, etc.. The vvt is variable valve timing control along with ocm, PCM, throttle sensor, mass air sensor which regulates the engine performance.
I purchased my car in 2001, used with 17k miles, form toyota of durham. I have 105k miles now on it. I kept the routine oil change and had sluggish oil problems every time I got my oil changed. There was no documented oil sluggish problem from toyota. My vehicle is clicking with a strange sound. I had it looked at and the mechanic determined the timing belt is going. But he advised me to take it to the dealership where I purchased it. I did and they told me that it was the engine. I need a new engine. A new engine, no way. How is it that a toyota camry with barely 100k miles need a new engine and nothing is said to be wrong with this vehicle. I have owned toyota and lexus models for a long time now and have yet to deal with such shame in their models. I am really disappointed at this mess of a car. Surely, we know that there are something that need to be done at a certain time but why is it that a new engine would be required? I am really not going to be the best person promoting toyota cars in the future. I had plans on looking into the toyota sienna for my family. But the odyssey is looking much better now.
I was coming home one day and my check engine light came on. I immediately took my car to the dealer and they told me it was the o2 sensor going bad. I wanted a second opinion so I took my car to another dealer who told me it was the catalytic converter. I was very concern by these two different answers, so I went to a third dealer who told me it was indeed the o2 sensor. After having that replaced, within 2 months the light was back on again.
I was sitting at a red light waiting to turn left. I suddenly heard my engine rev and looked at the dash. The RPM's were all the way over to the right. My car lurched forward, hard, and hit a lincoln navigator in front of me. I pressed the brake as hard as I could, with both feet, to try and stop, but ultimately had to turn the car off to stop it from moving forward. I am now waiting for an investigation, which they have told me could take up to 30 days. I was told that if they determined that it was a mechanical failure, they have another 30 days to fix it. I am in sales and use my car all day, every day. They weren't very concerned about it.
My car's check engine light would come on and my son would check the code (po420) then send me to the dealer. I took this car to two different dealers during this time. The first time the light came on I was out of town and took the car to a local dealer who changed a sensor connected to the exhaust system. The next time to light came on I took the car to a dealer in my area and they told me that it was a bad sensor (same one that had just been changed) after I told them that sensor had already been replaced they came back and told me that it was a different sensor. I left this dealer and shortly after the check engine light was on again and I went back to the second dealer who said that the computer needed to be reprogrammed. This problem has been on going for about four years, during which time my car was under warranty and the first service bulletin on this problem was issued on may 24, 2004 and the second on july 27, 2004. Now that the car is not under warranty I have found out about these service bulletins. I intend to take this issue up with toyota as this should have been repaired back in 2004.
The 2002 toyota camry, purchased used from ray brandt toyota in august of last year, completely shut down while my mother was driving at highway speeds this past monday. She barely missed a head-on collision, because she was unable to control the car without power steering. I advised her to bring the camry immediately to ray brandt toyota?? S service department. She turned it over to them that same afternoon. The next day a service technician was able to duplicate the problem in the shop. Even with the problem occurring at the shop, the technicians were unable to locate the cause that day. Yesterday, sheila, a ray brandt toyota service representative, assured me that they had solved this type of intermittent problem before. I asked if the diagnostic cost would run into the thousands of dollars. She said $300 would most likely be enough to pay for the diagnostic time to determine the cause. She added that she would be calling me with the resolution today. Today, at approximately 12:45 pm I went in person to the service department. I spoke to another ray brandt toyota customer service representative named mike. I asked him had ray brandt toyota solved this type of problem before. Mike stated that yes they had although it took 2 weeks and cost $850. Mike told me to be patient; give ray brandt toyota time to fix it. Later this afternoon sheila told my mother that there was nothing ray brandt toyota??s service could do to determine the cause of the problem. This was, of course a direct contradiction to what she stated to me yesterday. My mother then again expressed her concern that the car was a death trap. Sheila agreed that the car was, in fact, not safe to drive. She nevertheless told my mother to come pick the car up. Doing that to my mother was despicable.
With no warning or previous problems, while driving at 60 MPH, the 4 cylinder engine in my 2002 toyota camry. I am a 78 year old woman and I was unable to control the car with no power. I just barely avoided a head-on collision. This happened 5 more times in quick succession before I could drive immediately back to my home. I brought the car back to ray brandt toyota of metairie 504‑464‑4500. Told them of the problem and the potential for a serious accident, due to the car shutting down while driving. The dealers service department has had the car for a day, duplicated the problem, but claim they can find no reason for this to happen. I do not want to die in a fatal accident caused by the engine shutting down and if they cannot locate the cause of this problem, I will get rid of the car and never purchase another toyota. Please help.
During a 60,000 mile check-up at my service station, it was discovered that I needed a new "flex pipe assembly" (manifold exhaust pipe and catalytic converter combined). The mechanic said that he has seen the same problem on many 2002 toyota camry le's. The part alone cost me $900 and $100 in labor to install. Toyota told me that this part is not on recall list. I approved the replacement by my mechanic who told me that I should file a complaint.
I have a 2002 toyota camry with 42,608 miles. The check engine light went on yesterday. Today I had the charcoal canister, hose and vacuum sealed valve replaced at great cost. Now I have read that this was a problem with the 96-98 camry's and that the epa required toyota to extend the emissions warranty to 14/150000.
Terrible smell from heat/air vents,kids have asthma and can't stand the smell, toyota dealer just sprayed vents and poured freshner in outside vent, problem kept coming back and pollen filter kept plugging, nothing done to correct it, now in 2005 my water pump went bad. I know that the smell is some kind of mildew or mold from something not being fixed, which could lead to severe health conditions!
At approximately 90,000 miles, the vehicle check engine light came on. Checking with toyota dealer, they indicated the catalytic converter must be replaced. They futher indictated that there is a nationwide backorder for this item and they already have 10 vehicles on the waiting list at their dealership. I believe, from this information, that this must be a problem that is a result of a design defect and therefore should be resolved by toyota.
While driving 80 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak the battery was replaced but the toyota dealership refused to reimburse the towing cost. They won't pay for the 7 miles towing charge because the vehicle was not towed to the nearest dealer.
Have very serious concerns with brake system on my car. Brakes repaired on numerous occasions . Consumer feel this problem could lead to a serious automobile accident if not corrected. *bf nar *jls the rear brakes were noisy and made a grinding sound. The front brakes vibrated, the consumer replaced the front brake pads and rotors. The consumer stated that the trunk flaps and clips were installed to fix the problem. The left front door kick panel came loose. Bond pak primer applied to fix the problem. The consumer stated that the vehicle shimmies when driving at high speeds. Vehicle front wheels out of balance. The problem was not with the wheel balance but with the brakes. Rotors where warped. The consumer stated that the moon roof does not open smoothly it jolts and shakes the car roof. The consumer smelled a rotten egg smell when the heater and air conditioner was used. The consumer was told that it was burning sulfur and it would diminish at 25000 miles. 35000 miles the smell was still there. *tc the rear view defogger was replaced.
During a regular maintenance check, it was discovered the engine had a crack in the engine block. The consumer made contact with the manufacturer and they will be replacing the engine. *jb. Toyota has corrected the problem in the new models of camry.
While driving check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the sensor needed to be replaced.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Toyota Camry?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history