The Lemon Index2002 Toyota Camry.
The 2002 Toyota Camry is about average by owner complaints: 475 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 107, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 19 to 24 mpg combined. The best Toyota Camry year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,012 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Camry year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 98K miles on the car (651 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 19K–74K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 5K–49K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 45K–108K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2004
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.
- airbags 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL.
- tires 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TOURING TIRES, P205-65R15 92S, INSTALLED AT THE PORTS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.
Show all 4 recalls
- airbags 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 202 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on door mirror installation during pre-delivery service
- Subject regarding installation of rubber body plugs during pre-delivery service
- Subject regarding front license plate installation.*jb
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine surging2006–2007
- ClosedVehicle speed control2005–2006
- ClosedThrottle control system2004
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★☆☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When starting the vehicle, the engine raced and sounded like the vehicle was going to accelerate. The vehicle had not been inspected to determine the cause of the problem.
2002 Toyota Camry owner · NHTSA complaint 10062899
More owner reports
Consumer will provide details information on the abs brake system problem.
NHTSA complaint 10062891
Consumer has problems with the accelarator. Dealer was contacted. Mr
NHTSA complaint 8021365
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Toyota Camry reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 107; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Camry year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2002 Toyota Camry problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (27%), brakes (25%) and airbags (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Camry have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Camry get?
19 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Camry problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 98,400 miles. The middle report was at 50,000 miles, from 651 complaints.
Does the 2002 Toyota Camry have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Toyota Camry cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Toyota Camry have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Camry year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2017 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works