10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
112,237 miles

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problem #55

Dec 202022

Camry

  • miles
I was sold an bad car

- Saint Louis , MO, USA

problem #54

Aug 152022

Camry

  • miles
I did the texas inspection test, and my vehicle failed the test, and the report with catalyst, evap, and O2 sens was not completed. I'm wondering what is the problem and how I can fix it. I would like to have my vehicle get checked out and find the problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #53

Mar 162021

Camry

  • 108,000 miles
03/16/2021 - 2002 Toyota Camry 2.4L my regular auto shop revealed that the engine's head bolts are stripped and is a common issue amongst this Camry year. It's going to cost $2,200 to repair albeit new radiator, and thermostat. Coolant was found in the engine block. Stripped head bolts. Mechanic says he's seen many Camry's with this issue especially the 2002-2003. The kbb value is less than that. Thinking it makes sense to sell as salvage than repair. So disappointed! long-time Toyota fan but if this is a common issue indicative of a manufacture defect then what's the hold up for a recall.

- Hagatna, GU, USA

problem #52

Feb 152017

Camry

  • 150,000 miles
Like many other 2002 Camry, I have a stripped threads for the head bolts in the 2.4L engine; this repair is expensive. Toyota issued a service bulletin describing the repair. Google 'Toyota bulletin T-sb-0015-11' to read more. Toyota should be made to replace this engine.

- Kaneohe, HI, USA

problem #51

Mar 132020

Camry

  • 170,500 miles
Like many other 2002 Camry, I have a stripped threads for the head bolts in the 2.4L engine; this repair is expensive. Toyota issued a service bulletin describing the repair. Google 'Toyota bulletin T-sb-0015-11' to read more. Toyota should be made to replace this engine.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #50

Mar 042020

Camry

  • 220,000 miles
The car is experiencing sudden acceleration it is lunging forward. The last occurrence was around 20 minutes ago, it has happened to two family members so far, while driving no extra pressure on the gas the car suddenly accelerate.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #49

Nov 132015

Camry

  • 52,500 miles
Bough the car from a Toyota dealer 8/2013 with 36K miles. Yes, very low mileage, 36,000 miles. On 11/2015 on my way to work while I was in the free way, I've noticed my temperature gauge was starting to go up, I was lucky enough to exit out of the freeway and was able to take it to one of the mechanic I usually use after I was able to add water. The mechanic did not even looked at the car after I told him what happen, his response was you need a new engine. The car has 52.5K miles on the original engine. Had a blown head gasket issue from strip head bolts. The problems that could have created an unsafe condition is if I did not noticed my temperature gauge and the car suddenly stall while I was on the freeway, I could have gotten hit by another vehicle. I did a research about the 2.4L 2azfe engines and found out this was a very common problems with this engines. I've called the dealer and even Toyota corporate office to see if they could help me out, I am pretty much out of my luck. My mom car was a 06 Scion tc with same engine, 136K, 1/18, blown head gasket due to strip head bolts. I ended up buying rebuilt engines for both cars and I did not buy it from the dealer. I had a 92 Camry, 2.2L I was able to get the car to almost 300K with original engine.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #48

Sep 062019

Camry

  • 150,900 miles
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.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #47

Aug 172019

Camry

  • 23,800 miles
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.

- Hot Spring National Park, AR, USA

problem #46

May 032019

Camry

  • 76,000 miles
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.

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #45

Feb 012018

Camry

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #44

Sep 162018

Camry

  • 101,000 miles
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.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #43

Apr 232018

Camry

  • 160,000 miles
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.

- Oceanview, DE, USA

problem #42

Apr 132018

Camry

  • 107,000 miles
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!

- Safety Harbor, FL, USA

problem #41

Mar 132018

Camry

  • 145,000 miles
At 145,000 miles the head gasket failed due to 3 stripped head bolt.

- Portland, CT, USA

problem #40

Jan 272018

Camry

  • 244,000 miles
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.

- Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #39

Jan 012018

Camry

  • 28,000 miles
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.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #38

Jul 102017

Camry

  • 98,000 miles
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!!!!!!!

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #37

Jan 042017

Camry

  • 110,000 miles
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.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #36

Nov 182016

Camry

  • 107,000 miles
Head gasket failure due to head bolt was stripped, common in Toyota why I see I have 107xxx miles in my car

- Cicero, IL, USA

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