2002 Toyota Camry: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Oct 2, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 23,800 miles · AR

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.

Filed Aug 13, 2011 · 50,000 miles · MD · crash

For the last 2 years of its life, the camry had a stalling problem. It would ride ok for a few weeks and then for several days it would stall out frequently. On the highway, the car would sometimes hesitate. Stalling occurred mostly when stopping at a stop sign or red light after coming off a highway. The car would start again, and then stall repeatedly at every red light or other event that involved slowing down or stopping. After enduring the stalling problem for many months, on 6/19/09 we took the car to our mechanic. They said the stalling might be caused by a sticking valve or the idle control motor, but they could not fix it. We brought the car to the mechanic again 8/20/09 and they replaced the throttle body assembly, which seemed to help. By spring 2010 the problem was back. We brought the car to the mechanic 5/21/10 and this time they cleaned out egr assembly and checked all vacuum lines. Car still stalled so 6/26/10 we took it to toyota dealer. Dealer was unable to reproduce the stalling problem and said that next time it happened, we should bring it directly to their service center. On 7/20/10, our son was driving the camry. As before, when he was driving at a higher, steadier speed, the car was ok. When he slowed down to park in a parking garage, the stalling problem recurred. Trying to get the car to restart, he stepped on the gas and the engine engaged. The car lurched forward and slammed into a wall inside the parking garage. It was totaled. We believe there was a fundamental manufacturing flaw in our camry that resulted in the repeated stalling. We note other toyota products being recalled for stalling problems, as well as recalls for unintended acceleration. We contacted toyota but they took no responsibility. They said there was nothing they could do without examining the vehicle directly, but by that time the car had been sent to a salvage yard.

Filed Jul 7, 2010 · Acceleration · 95,000 miles · MA

I have been experiencing much difficulty with acceleration when driving my 02 toyota camry xle..I step on the gas and the car hesitates to accelerate..then all of a sudden it goes hard..this is now on a daily basis whenever I drive.

Filed Jun 22, 2010 · Transmission · PA

2002 toyota camry. Consumer states problem with bucking and hesitation *tgw the dealer did note the transmission fluid had a slight metallic odor.

Filed Mar 3, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 55,000 miles · PA

2002 toyota camry se v6 - around september 2009 I began to notice sudden surges in acceleration while driving between 40-45 MPH. Without changing the position of the gas pedal, the vehicle would surge-hesitate-surge several times then suddenly stop the behavior. Since then, I notice it occurs at least once every 3 out of 4 times I'm driving the car. To me, this is not related to anything on the floor or the gas pedal itself. It appears to come from within the engine or other component. No repairs have been investigated or performed. I am considering a visit to the dealer.

Filed Dec 7, 2009 · Engine · 115,000 miles · IL

I own a 2002 toyota camry v6 le with a mileage reading of about 115000. I do regular oil changes and all necessary services. However off lately the car has randomly started to stall in the middle of road while being driven. This has started to be a big problem and I hesitate to drive the car for long distance. The car would suddenly die in the middle of road specially when I stop for a light or stop sign and then would refuse to start again. I have to keep the gas pedal depressed in order for the car to stay idle and not die. After about 5-10 mins the car would again start up and work normally. I've had this problem about three times this past 2 weeks and its scary now to even drive this car anywhere. I took it to a mechanic where I get all services done and he says everything is fine, but then I had two stalls after the visit. Problem is that it stalls randomly and when I take it to mechanic, it performs quiet well with no problems at all. I read today in motortrend website that the federal safety agency is enquiring about some toyota vehicles regarding this same issue and was wondering if these incidents are related? *tr thanks.

Filed Jan 14, 2009 · Acceleration · 103 miles · WA

Failure to accelerate properly ( 1 or 2 second hesitation) I took the car to the toyota dealer for 2 years and they reset the computer each time but that fix only lasted about 1200 miles each time. Dealer says engine falls within specifications and refused to do any more to fix the car under warranty - I have now 34,000 miles and I get scared when I pull out into traffic and the car temporary stalls the slow acceleration.

Filed Feb 15, 2008 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · KY

Engine light came on during a trip to lexington, ky on a saturday. I experienced a bad shift on one occasion during that trip. Took it to the dealer the following monday. Was told that my catalytic converter was going bad. Cost to repair was approx $800. Elected not to repair car at that time. I have approx 127000 miles on car and just paid it off last december. Within two weeks of this visit to the dealer, the transmission began to jerk when shifting between 25 and 40 MPH. I parked car and began to drive my older vehicle until I could get it back into dealer. I took it to the dealer on feb 14 and was told that my transmission needed replaced. I had all of completed transmission services during the life of the car. I feel that this is a safety problem as the transmission hesitated during driving and could have resulted in me being rear-ended by another vehicle. I am concerned with the quality of toyota vehicles as I have read about their engine sludge problems and other people with transmission failures.

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.

Filed Jul 3, 2006 · Transmission · 69,109 miles · TX

Transmission intermittently slips out of gear when driving. Causes the car to hesitate abruptly upon acceleration. The problem has persisted since the car was purchased. No remedy has resolved the issue yet and it seems to be worsening.

Filed Aug 9, 2004 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · MN

When traveling at a speed of about 50 MPH when you let off on the accelerator, the car downshifts or hesitates with a noticible clunk. This happens intermittently. The dealer couldn't duplicate the problem so nothing has been done.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

Driver side window did not roll smoothly. Squeaked but was only fixed after taking the car a dealer a third time. Sputtering/rattling sound seems to be coming from the engine when the car is idle or upon cold start. Sound gets progressively louder. Dealer claims that no sounds were heard. Car also hesitates when responding to acceleration. In researching for answers, I found that the driver's side airbag has a recall. I was in disbelief when I found that no efforts were made in contacting me about an airbag recall! I feel utterly disappointed. I'd come from a "honda" family and decided to give toyota a try. I have learnt my lesson now that buying a brand new toyota means having to check up on recalls and problems.