Four problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 2002 Toyota Camry. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Toyota Camry based on all problems reported for the 2002 Camry.
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.
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.
I purchased my car in 2001, used with 17k miles, form Toyota of durham. I have 105k miles now on it. I kept the routine oil change and had sluggish oil problems every time I got my oil changed. There was no documented oil sluggish problem from Toyota. My vehicle is clicking with a strange sound. I had it looked at and the mechanic determined the timing belt is going. But he advised me to take it to the dealership where I purchased it. I did and they told me that it was the engine. I need a new engine. A new engine, no way. How is it that a Toyota Camry with barely 100k miles need a new engine and nothing is said to be wrong with this vehicle. I have owned Toyota and Lexus models for a long time now and have yet to deal with such shame in their models. I am really disappointed at this mess of a car. Surely, we know that there are something that need to be done at a certain time but why is it that a new engine would be required? I am really not going to be the best person promoting Toyota cars in the future. I had plans on looking into the Toyota sienna for my family. But the odyssey is looking much better now.
The transmission was not working properly. The vehicle would shift harshly into drive when the engine was cold but when warmed up the vehicle drove smoothly. The steering wheel hummed when turned while driving 45 mph. It was later determined that a bushing for the steering shaft needed to be lubricated. The upper and lower belt molding around the driver's door came off. A faulty charcoal canister caused the check engine light to illuminate.