general problems of the 2002 Toyota Camry - part 1

145 problems related to vehicle speed control 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.

1 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2018

Tl the contact owned a 2002 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle's speed control malfunctioned. The vehicle failed to stop accelerating while turning, even with the brake pedal depressed. The contact approached a red light and crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, but was not completed by the officer. The contact was informed that the report would become available within ten days. The contact sustained two broken arms, a fracture to the second and fifth ribs, a dislocated wrist (side unknown), a broken right ankle, and bruises to the right leg. Medical attention was required in the form of surgery (bone reset). The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was smashed into the interior of the other vehicle near the passenger seat. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

2 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/08/2018

Driving on the freeway, check engine light came on, smoke coming out of the hood, brakes and emergency brake failed, vehicle accelerated on its own (no pedals were working), car crashed and fire engulfed the vehicle.

3 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2017

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. While driving 38 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently and surged forward. The contact placed the gear shifter into neutral. The vehicle stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. Later, the contact noticed a strong odor of fuel around the vehicle. The contact noticed fuel pouring out on the ground from the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that fuel was in the vacuum line of the engine. The vacuum canister was also filled with fuel and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called hanlees davis Toyota dealer (located on 4202 chiles rd, davis, CA 95616), elk grove Toyota dealer (located on 9640 w stockton blvd, elk grove, CA 95757), and maita Toyota of sacramento (2500 auburn blvd, sacramento, CA 95821) all three dealers stated that the vehicle did not qualify for free repairs due to its age and the fact that there was no open recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was too old to qualify for free repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

4 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 01/28/2016

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.

5 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 12/17/2015

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.

6 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/08/2015

My wife was backing into our garage. She pulled forward to realign car. When she placed gearshift back into reverse (autom. Xmsn) and perhaps had lightly touched the accelerator pedal, the throttle immediately went to very high setting. Car accelerated backward until stopped by firewood pile, furnace and rear wall of garage. Throttle continued at high setting for some time. Driven wheels kept spinning (as shown by skid marks on garage floor). Then throttle autonomously returned to idle. Firewood was scattered. Furnace was destroyed. Garage wall was displaced about one inch. Bumper, one rear light assembly and one quarter panel of car were damaged. (body shop inspection may reveal other damage. ) my wife experienced neck discomfort, which has gone away. She is sure that she did not press accelerator pedal more than very lightly. Clearly, under other circumstances the results of the throttle runaway could have been far more disastrous.

7 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/05/2015

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle unintentionally accelerated while in a parking space. The contact mentioned that the vehicle surged forward rapidly and crashed into a wall. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

8 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 01/07/2015

While driving on highway car ride is jerky . At any left exit the car shuts off on exit ramp on left turn. Steering tightens and lock-up. The car shuts done while still in drive mode. The engine goes quite and and dies. The gas pedal stop producing power. The car shuts off completely with key in ignition and still in drive . Also going down hill the car becomes immobile and stall. On other occasions car stall at lights on local roads shortly after making left turns and stop light. I took the vehicle into Toyota superstore weston st hartford CT. On three occasions. They kept it for a day, two days, a week and there is still no solution. . Nothing has been done to stop the condition. I took it to local mechanics, auto zone. They see the car act up but there are no codes and no system error activity summary. Dealership offer no solution . Always there are 3 light that comes on. Check engine light, check battery light and check fuel light . Triple a toll this cat on 3 occasions. On one occasion during the snow it had check traction light came on. Please someone help me. I took my car in to the dealership always to get the necessary oil change because I have lifetime oil and lube. They are the ones servicing the car so if any parts go wrong they are the ones changing them. . They want me to buy a new car. I told them I cannot afford one. I wonder if they are sabotaging my car. In hopes that I will purchase a new one. Please help me! I learned that the car stops and starts up again after you shut it down take the key out of the ignition for a while so this is how I am surviving. This is very scary! help!.

9 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/04/2014

This vehicle (and many other solara's) seems to have issues with the acceleration. At times, the car accelerates a little bit by itself. It has never caused me to crash or anything major, but I've had to hit the brakes real hard because its taken me by surprise. This mainly happens when I'm not moving, for example, when I'm waiting at a red light. The car makes noises that technicians have not been able to properly diagnose. I am the third owner of this 2002 Toyota solara and I have a report from the original owner dating back to 2002. This owner describes weird noises coming from the driver's side but that Toyota was not able to diagnose the problem. As it seems, this car has been having issues with unexplainable noises since its day of manufacture. I've been replacing many things on the car thinking because of age it is making such noises, but noises persist.

10 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/06/2014

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where the technician was unable to find a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.

11 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/22/2014

My wife was in the process of parking the car in a private driveway. She pulled into the parking spot and pressed the brake to shift into park. As soon as she pressed the brake the car lurched forward. The car struck the parking curb damaging the front bumper. She put the car in neutral and looked down to make sure her foot was on the brake and not the gas pedal. She turned off the ignition, shifted into park and called me to tell me what had just happened. I will be contacting the service manager of the nearest dealer for inspection and to make a formal complaint with Toyota.

12 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 01/14/2014

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contacted stated that while driving 5 mph and attempting to park, the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The vehicle crashed into a set of cement stairs. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Updated 4/4/cn.

13 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2013

Components on vehicle dash not operating. Instrument panel stopped working. No temp. Gauge, no fuel gauge, no tach or speedometer. Light on instrument panel not working. Have been to three mechanics who diagnosed but cannot repair. Contacted Toyota and quoted excessive price of $780. 00 plus tax and diagnostic time to repair.

14 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 08/11/2013

On 8/11/13 I pulled up to a gas pump, and as I shifted the transmission into park while my foot was on the brake pedal, the engine suddenly accerlerated. I purchased this used vehicle on 12/1/12 to replace my car that was destroyed by superstorm sandy.

15 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 06/26/2013

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently. As the vehicle increased in speed and the brakes became inoperable, the contact applied the emergency brake and powered off the vehicle to stop the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis but no cause for the failure was determined. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 40,000.

16 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/19/2013

Vehicle was stopped and putting in drive, car excelerated and crashed through garage door and brick frame on 4/19/13 at approximately 11:50am for unknown reason.

17 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/03/2012

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. I quickly put the car in reverse, but the car then lurched backwards. . . . . Quickly shifted into neutral and killed the engine. Asked my friend to get out of the car. Started the engine, which continued to roar ar high rpm. I then pumped the pedal a few times, and the rar and rpm's subsided. I motioned to my friend to get in, and slowly drove home. Immediately called a neaby Toyota dealer. Arrangement were made and the car was towed to the dealer on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 ( I was afraid to drive it. ) [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

18 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2011

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated there was a failure with the electronic throttle sensor. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

19 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/06/2011

The contact owned a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph the vehicle surged forward until crashing into a concrete divider. A police report was filed and the driver suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a towing company. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current miles were 75,000. The VIN was unavailable.

20 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/27/2011

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact was driving 20 mph when suddenly, the vehicle accelerated and the contact was unable to stop the vehicle. The contact crashed into another vehicle and sustained minor chest injures from the seat belt. The contact was able to drive the vehicle from the crash site as the vehicle exhibited an abnormal ticking and rattling. The vehicle was shut off and towed to the local dealer. An investigator was sent by the manufacturer to further inspect the failure who was unable o locate or duplicate a failure. The manufacture would not assist, stating that no failures were discovered within the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 165,000.

21 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 11/20/2010

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle independently decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed as a faulty accelerator. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.

22 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2010

Stopped in line at fast food drive-up. Placed vehicle in park. Placed vehicle in drive to move forward and the vehicle quickly accelerated. Stepped on brake pedal and the vehicle would not stop. Vehicle stopped after slamming into vehicle in front. Will be going by the Toyota dealership in the morning to report what happened.

23 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 08/02/2010

One of two electronic accelerator position sensors malfunctioned on my 2002 Toyota Camry. I experienced a sluggish response to pedal action (I. E. I had to push the pedal farther than normal to gain any acceleration - check engine light was also illuminated). I immediately drove to my mechanic's shop for evaluation and repair. After running diagnostics, he determined that the sensor had malfunctioned and advised me not to drive the car any further until it was repaired. As I understand it, from my mechanic's explanation, the sensor determines the position of the accelerator and sends a request for acceleration as a voltage ranging from 0-5v, where 0v is no acceleration and 5v is full-throttle. Through further testing, he determined that the sensor that had malfunctioned was reading 5v. I find it very concerning that in the event of failure the sensor does not "fail safe" (I. E. Fail to 0v, rather than 5v). The technician explained that the second sensor was there as a safety redundancy, but either way, "fail safe" is one of the most basic design concepts in an application where safety is critical as is the case here. In my conversation with Toyota, they would not stand behind the part (my warranty had expired and it was not on recall), nor could they give me any assurance that the replacement part had been redesigned in such a way that it would "fail safe. " I am a wife, mother of two small children, and the primary income generator for our family. I do not feel good about what I now know about the safety of my car and do not feel that Toyota took my concerns to heart. I would appreciate anything you could do to help. I suspect I may not be the only one to experience this safety failure.

24 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/19/2010

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 15 mph up hill the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The diagnostic test identified the accelerator position sensor caused the failure to occur. The manufacturer was contacted, but they would not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 58,000.

25 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2010

In July 2010, I was driving my 2002 Toyota Camry at approximately 40 mph on a heavily traveled two lane highway, accelerating as I approached a grade, when suddenly there was no response from my accelerator pedal. The check engine light came on, and the car stalled. There was a group of bicyclists on the right shoulder. I activated my emergency flashers, and managed with difficulty to pull off the road. I could restart the engine, but the cel remained on, and the car would not respond to the accelerator in any gear. The car was towed to the dealership, where error code p1121 was found. The ecu was replaced, and I was assured the problem had been resolved. This was an extremely dangerous situation that cost me several sleepless nights, and it was fortunate that it did not result in an accident, injury, or worse. On February 17, 2011, I was driving at about 30-35 mph when once again the accelerator would not respond and the cel lit up. This time, the engine did not stall. I pulled off the road and changed gears and depressed the accelerator many times with no response. Finally, the car moved and I was able to drive it the short distance home. After calling the dealership, who agreed the car was not safe to drive until checked, it was towed to the dealer, where the same code p1121 was read. All components indicated by this code were checked and deemed okay. After the dealer contacted Toyota, the car was also checked for grounding and voltage issues. Again, everything checked out okay. The dealership kept and drove the car, trying unsuccessfully to duplicate the problem. It remains there today while we decide what to do with it. The dealership and Toyota are not offering any solutions. At this point, I feel that the car is unreliable and unsafe. Research on the internet convinces me this is not an isolated incident, and it needs to be resolved no matter how much it costs. A price cannot be put on life or peace of mind. Please investigate!.

26 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/11/2010

2002 Toyota Camry. Consumer states problem with brakes the consumer stated when he applied the brakes to slow down, there was no brake response and the vehicle continued to accelerate. Consequently, the consumer rear ended another vehicle. The consumer and his wife suffered minor injuries.

27 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 06/27/2010

I was driving my Toyota 2002 solara into the parking lot on 6-27-10 to the post office. While pulling into a parking spot along side of the post office building, while applying the brakes the acceleration started to increase and the brake pedal went down almost to the floor. The car jumped the parking stop and then the side walk into the wall of the building. The two air bags exploded, then trying to put the car into park the car went into reverse back into the parking lot. Then finally the car was in park and ignition was shut off. I called 911 and then went the hospital for x-rays. This is not safe to drive these cars and the floormat didn't get stuck on the gas pedal. Is this a problematic throttle control system with Toyota cars? is there a way to find out what cause this problem? is there any computer in the car that will store this information what happen? I'm am so shook up that I don't think I can ever drive another vehicle again. Please keep me informed what I can do about this and who do I can sue what happen to me. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

28 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2010

We were leaving a gas station and proceeded to go around the back of the gas station but decided there was insufficient amount of area to go through between the gas station and an iga store. . The wife put the Camry in reverse and the engine accelerated and backed into a telephone pole . . It threw us forward and again backed into the pole. . My wife automatically put the car in drive and the car shot through between the store and the gas station. . It broke both side mirrors and scratched down the sides of the car. . We proceeded into three lanes of traffic, hitting a Honda van in the passenger door. . The car kept going across two more lanes of traffic and into the gas station across the street before I finally reacted and told the wife to apply the emergency brake. . . The car stopped about two feet from hitting another vehicle. . And the other gas station. . Both vehicles were totaled in the accident. . The car would not stop even with my wife riding the brake until we hit the van. . Witnesses said they heard the brakes squealing as we were coming out of the gas station area. .

29 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2010

I have been experiencing much difficulty with acceleration when driving my 02 Toyota Camry xle. . I step on the gas and the car hesitates to accelerate. . Then all of a sudden it goes hard. . This is now on a daily basis whenever I drive.

30 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/06/2010

Engine racing in 2002 Toyota Camry.

31 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2010

I was rear-ended on the highway while driving my 2002 Toyota Camry. When I tried to slow down and move into the breakdown lane, the car accelerated. I ended up going down an embankment hitting several trees. The car was eventually spun around and crashed rear end into a tree. The car was totaled. My passenger and I experienced concussion syndrome along with muscle spasms in the neck, back, and ankle. We were taken by ambulance to the new britain general hospital where we were treated and released . We are both receiving follow-up medical care.

32 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/27/2010

While I was pulling my 2002 Toyota Camry into my driveway with foot on brake pedal (and brake lights on- my neighbor witnessed), the car surged forward despite me trying to jam brake even harder. This resulted in me crashing into my house and partly damaging the wall and garage. The impact was high enough to shift the stucco off the foundation. Surprisingly, the airbag did not go off. The impact dented the front fenders of my car quite badly though. In 8 years of driving this car, I have never experienced such surge in acceleration in such short distance (my driveway is about 20ft max). I turned off the ignition at the same time the impact occurred, which stopped the car. I have filed a complaint w/ Toyota.

33 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/24/2010

Today, I was exiting a parking garage. After the arm went up, I moved my foot from the brake and moved it to the accelerator pedal, gently, realizing that there were people and other cars in the same exit area. The car "peeled out" leaving rubber marks accelerating at a high speed even though I had taken my foot off the accelerator. I hit the brakes hard and the car skidded to a stop about three car lengths from the garage exit at which place there is a large traffic and pedestrian circle before you enter the street again. There was a policeman at the exit who jumped out of the way when he saw my car accelerate. I immediately turned the car off. The policeman came to the car to see if I was okay. I was shaken but not injured. The policeman asked permission to enter my car. I exited and he turned on the ignition and put the car in drive, moved forward, and then in reverse and moved backward. It seemed to be okay. As the car exited the garage when the acceleration happened, the car sideswiped one of the yellow 4 foot poles causing minor damage to the rear right door and back fender panel. Fortunately no person or car was hit. I drove the car to the Toyota dealership where I bought the car and they are keeping it overnight to check it out.

34 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/23/2010

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. While driving 38 mph the vehicle surged and accelerated going into traffic as she depressed the brakes pedal, the vehicle would not slow down. She shut the engine off immediately after she made a right turn. The vehicle was driven slowly back to her home. She called the dealer informing them of what happened and requested that they have the vehicle towed to a repair facility. The dealer told her she would have to pay for a diagnostic test. The Toyota manufacturer was difficult to reach when she called them. The failure mileage was 32,3000.

35 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/14/2010

Car starts and shifts into gear ok, but no response from gas pedal,car would not rev up or respond at all.



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