Four problems related to transmission failure 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.
Transmission failure. I am surprised that a car with just 117k miles could have a transmission failure. I was parked at a stop light and when it turned green my car just stopped moving. I showed my car to multiple auto shops and they say they are have seen this issue with 2002 Camry xle and not sure why since Camrys are generally considered reliable and have a longer life of 200k plus. Maybe a manufacturing defect?.
Automatic transmission failure on the freeway. Initially hard-shifting, then loss of power when accelerating to pass. Miles later while cruising on level ground on the freeway, the transmission disconnected (felt like it went to neutral) and I needed to pull over to the side of the road immediately. Turned off engine, waited and re-started car. Used a merging ramp to safely merge back into traffic. Toyota dealer tells me that the transmission fluid was like "chocolate" and there were chunks of metal in the bottom of the pan. Needed a new transmission ($3300-$4800). Car was last serviced at another Toyota dealer (wondries in alhambra, CA) 14,000 miles ago and had the transmission fluid changed at that time.
Engine light came on during a trip to lexington, ky on a Saturday. I experienced a bad shift on one occasion during that trip. Took it to the dealer the following Monday. Was told that my catalytic converter was going bad. Cost to repair was approx $800. Elected not to repair car at that time. I have approx 127000 miles on car and just paid it off last December. Within two weeks of this visit to the dealer, the transmission began to jerk when shifting between 25 and 40 mph. I parked car and began to drive my older vehicle until I could get it back into dealer. I took it to the dealer on Feb 14 and was told that my transmission needed replaced. I had all of completed transmission services during the life of the car. I feel that this is a safety problem as the transmission hesitated during driving and could have resulted in me being rear-ended by another vehicle. I am concerned with the quality of Toyota vehicles as I have read about their engine sludge problems and other people with transmission failures.
Transmission failed at 75,000 miles even though it was serviced and the transmission was flushed at 30,000 and 60,000. The transmission locked up on the freeway doing 70 miles an hour.