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

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

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.

- Upper Arlington, OH, USA

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.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

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.

- Bloomfield, CT, USA

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.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Stripped head bolts.

- Tampa, FL, USA

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 NHTSA on January 30, 2010 (seenhtsa id 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.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

2002 Toyota Camry. Consumer writes in regards to engine and valve head gasket failure due to poor design in the head bolt attachment. The consumer requested Toyota replace the engine before a failure occurred. Toyota declined to assist the consumer.

- American Canyon, CA, USA

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.

- Springfield, IL, USA

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.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

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.

- Sacramento , CA, USA

Cylinder head bolts pulled out of the block causing catastrophic engine failure

- Concrete, WA, USA

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.

- Pasadena , CA, USA

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.

- Jenison, MI, USA

Defective valve cover gasket refer to Chrysler valve cover recall.

- Dallas, TX, USA

Cylinder head gasket leak, cylinder head bolts stripped. Coolant lost.

- San Diego, CA, USA

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.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Engine head bolts stripped causing antifreeze loss, head had to be resurfaced, new head gasket, and a special kit was need to re-thread the loose bolts repairs cost over $3000. Which is better than a new engine but repairs aren't guaranteed because this is a factory defect with this particular engine. Had I known this I wouldn't have purchased this particular make of car.

- Kelso, WA, USA

Coolant leak due to apparent stripped head bolts due to manufacturer defect.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA