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2002 Toyota Camry Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Toyota Camry has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Stripped cylinder head bolts and head gasket failure.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Toyota Camry.

Reported to NHTSA

Stripped cylinder head bolts and head gasket failure

ENGINE

42 NHTSA complaints · 2011-07 → 2024-08

“LIKE MANY OTHER 2002 CAMRYS, 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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11390425
“AT 145,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO 3 STRIPPED HEAD BOLT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11082234
“THREE HEAD BOLTS IN THE ENGINE HAVE STRIPPED AND PULLED OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE LARGEST CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS A HEAD GASKET FAILURE; THIS ALSO CAUSED COOLANT LOSS AND OVERHEATING, WHICH IN TURN RUINED MY RADIATOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10424292

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire sidewall cracking and premature tread wear

TIRES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2012-03 → 2024-03

“Tire size P205 60R16 evolution tour series This is the second tire of the set of 4 that suddenly had a belt shift inside the tire and the steering wheel would violently shake , one of the tires when failed pulled to left into oncoming traffic (luckily I retained control)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11579275
“TIRES SHOWED SIDEWALL DRYROT WHICH WAS DISMISSED AS 'OZONE CRACKING' AND EXTREMELY REDUCED TRACTION AFTER 2 YEARS, 25,000 MILES. MICHELIN WOULD NOT MAKE GOOD ON COMPLAINT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10730336
“I BOUGHT 4 NEW PIRELLI CINTURATO P5 TIRES FOR MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN FEBRUARY OF 2010 FROM DISCOUNT TIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT THESE TIRES THEY EASILY LAST FOR 85,000 MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE THEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10453573

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

39 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2020-03

“CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS MY WIFE CAMILLE PULLED IN DRIVEWAY. CALLED WILLS TOYOTA OF TWIN FALLS AND WAS TOLD FLOOR MAT IN THE WAY OF ACCELERATOR OBJECTIVE IMPOSSIBLE WHEN LOOKED AT. LOOKED ON LINE WITH ISSUES LEAD TO FILLING OUT COMPLAINT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10762744
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10532676
“IN A PARKING LOT, PICKING UP A FRIEND. WENT TO DRIVE HER HOME. AS I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, IT SUDDENLY FLOORED ITSELF, ENGINE ROARED, AND THE CAR BEING IN DRIVE, LURCHED FORWARD TOWARDS A ROW OF PARKED CARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10447672

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front airbag non-deployment in frontal crashes

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2022-12

“MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN IT BEING TOTALED; AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10956682
“BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. CAR WAS TOTALED AND BOTH PASSENGERS, BELTED IN FRONT SEAT WERE INJURED. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10537482
“DRIVER OF TOYOTA CAMRY 2002 HAD 3 SPOKE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG WHICH HAD BEEN SUBJECT OF RECALL. FAILED TO INFLATE PROPERLY AND FACE AND NECK OF DRIVER SPRAYED WITH METAL FRAGMENTS ON FACE AND ALL AROUND EYES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651994

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag protrusion and warning-light defect

AIR BAGS

20 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2023-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS PROTRUDING OUT OF ITS COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11230746
“PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS BULGING UP TILL YOU CAN SEE A BROWN SECTION INSIDE WHAT SHOULD I DO NOT MAKE NOISE, NOT MOVING, JUST DOES NOT LOOK SAFE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10863157
“PASSENGER AIRBAG IS SEPARATING FROM DASHBOARD. IT'S APPROXIMATELY 3" LONG. BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP BUT IT'S NOT CURRENTLY LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST. INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED AND VERIFIED THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10663560

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering seizure and rack-and-pinion fluid leaks

STEERING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2023-09

“The contact owned a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the steering wheel had seized up and the vehicle had begun to lose forward momentum”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11546975
“AS MANY OTHERS HAVE REALIZED WITH THEIR CAMRYS, MINE TOO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION. IT IS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE RACK AND PINION BOOTS, AS WELL AS THE STEERING PUMP. I AM NOW FACED WITH A $1600 REPAIR BILL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10667031
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10425717

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Soft brake pedal and delayed stopping

SERVICE BRAKES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2013-03 → 2019-07

“WHILE DRIVING, AFTER THE VEHICLE GETS HOT, NOT OVERHEATED, THE BRAKES GO SOFT AND YOU CANT STOP! IF YOU SLAM THEM THEY WORK, IF YOU PRESS NORMALLY, NOTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11229997
“BRAKE FAILED WHILE ON THE ROAD, CAR CRASHED. ABNORMAL LONG DISTANCE BRAKE. COULD'VE DIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10836309
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO DEPRESS AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873229

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

674 crashes 1990–2024

How the 674 occupant deaths break down

497

driver deaths

177

passenger deaths

674

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

275

complaints mentioning a crash

20

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Toyota Camry reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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