Is the 2002 Toyota Camry a bad year?
953 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 138, 7.3× a quiet Camry year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 7.3× the complaints of a quiet Camry year, spread over 76k–138k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Camry owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 102,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 132 (14%) | 78k–140k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 89 (9%) | 27k–137k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 68 (7%) | 22k–105k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 56 (6%) | 33k–119k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 43 (5%) | 42k–110k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 37 (4%) | 50k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 9 (1%) | 66k–149k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 281 (29%) | 20k–78k miles · mostly behind | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 173 (18%) | 10k–75k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| TiresSTANDS OUT | 55 (6%) | 15k–33k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 38 (4%) | 44k–100k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 34 (4%) | 10k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 31 (3%) | 33k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exhaust | 30 (3%) | 36k–93k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 102,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 953 complaints: 252 mention a crash · 20 mention a fire · 94 report an injury · 14 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The car accelerates at a high rate with little pressure on gas. It seems to happen at random times when the car is warm.
My 2002 Camry began "Lurching" Approx. 2 years ago. We have taken it for service 5 times, to no avail.
2002 Camry xle V6...AT 138,000 miles while waiting at a traffic signal during rush hour the engine stalls and after 4 attempts finally restarts.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 102,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Toyota Camry: 4
On certain vehicles equipped with curtain shield air bags (Csa), one or both of the curtain air bags may be twisted near the inflator due to improper assembly. If this occurs, the csa may not deploy rapidly enough when activated in a side impact collision. This may result in failure to provide the intended head protection, increasing the risk of injury.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a three-spoke style steering wheel. During air bag deployment, it is possible that the bottom seam of the front driver's side air bag module cover (Horn pad) could be torn away allowing the bottom portion of the cover to completely detach from the air bag module. If this should occur, there is a possibility that the detached bottom portion may strike the driver causing personal injury.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with continental touring tires, P205-65R15 92s, installed at the ports in jacksonville, florida. The incorrect tires were installed on vehicles that had damaged tires. The tires were damaged during a port upgrade to aluminum wheels. The tires do not conform to the speed rating for the vehicle. If the vehicle exceeded the maximum speed rating (112 MPH), possible tire failure could occur.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Incomplete deployment of the front passenger side air bag could occur in the event of a crash. Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 59
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Toyota Camry. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Engine surging
Vehicle speed control
Throttle control system
Engine compartment fire
Neighbouring years
2001 Camry: 272 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2003 Camry: 782 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Toyota Camry year
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Questions
Is the 2002 Toyota Camry a bad year?
953 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 138, 7.3× a quiet Camry year. At 102,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 7.3× the complaints of a quiet Camry year, spread over 76k–138k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Camry?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (132), air bags (89), transmission and drivetrain (68), body structure (56), steering (43). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 76k–138k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Camry have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 04V-346), Air bags (NHTSA 01V-372), Tires (NHTSA 01V-302), Air bags (NHTSA 01V-306). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.