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6.9

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,848 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Toyota Camry brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Toyota Camry Owner Comments

problem #10

Sep 032003

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Severe vibration in steering when brakes applied 20+ months after purchase. Brought to dealer, deformed rotors, machined front disc brakes & replaced pads. When braking after this, vehicle pulled to the left. 24 months later had same severe vibration/brakes again. Researched complaints NHTSA site..many have same complaint to dealer again & they wanted to charge me $99 to diagnose. I said no & the mgr steve said we don't charge that fee for brakes. I advised I knew of tsb's issued for this car & shouldn't have same problem from 2 yrs ago. He said only 1 yr warranty on prev work, but he would take a look. He said my rotors were warped & could not be machined again, only replaced, however brake pads are replaced when they are 2 ml & mine were at 7-8, & safe so either replace rotors & pads $469 live w/ vibration until pads worn down to 2 ml then do brake jobe. I advised I knew of tsb's for this problem & he said he already checked & there aren't. I said check again & after waiting told me there was a tsb but it had expired but in an act of "good will" he would order the part and do the repair to both front brakes free. I made an appt & went for repair. Repair order said only one side rotor and pad replaced. Now when I approach hgwy speed of 60-65 mph, steering wheel shimmies. People are having accidents due to these brake problems according to NHTSA complaints & nothing is being done! I worry someone will be hurt because this problem is not deemed worthy of a recall. The design of the brakes is a problem.

- Matawan, NJ, USA

problem #9

Aug 132002

Camry

  • miles
Have very serious concerns with brake system on my car. Brakes repaired on numerous occasions. Consumer feel this problem could lead to a serious automobile accident if not corrected. Nar the rear brakes were noisy and made a grinding sound. The front brakes vibrated, the consumer replaced the front brake pads and rotors. The consumer stated that the trunk flaps and clips were installed to fix the problem. The left front door kick panel came loose. Bond pak primer applied to fix the problem. The consumer stated that the vehicle shimmies when driving at high speeds. Vehicle front wheels out of balance. The problem was not with the wheel balance but with the brakes. Rotors where warped. The consumer stated that the moon roof does not open smoothly it jolts and shakes the car roof. The consumer smelled a rotten egg smell when the heater and air conditioner was used. The consumer was told that it was burning sulfur and it would diminish at 25000 miles. 35000 miles the smell was still there. The rear view defogger was replaced.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

problem #8

Aug 132002

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,120 miles
While applying the brake pedal vehicle pulsated and vibrated uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that front rotors needed to be replaced, and replaced them twice. However, the problem recurred.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

problem #7

Mar 082004

Camry 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

02/23/04, dealer's invoice tocs12154: 04/19/04, dealer's invoice tocs14794. The cd and tape player went bad before the car was two years old. I did not discover this until there was 37,000 miles on the car. The warranty ran out at 35,000 miles. The cd/tape player part of the radio was not even used for a couple of months, so I was not aware there was a problem until after the warranty expired. The dealer charged me $250 for a "used" radio they ordered from the manufacturer (a new radio was going to cost $850). They were kind enough to not charge me for the installation. Since Toyota does not make the radios installed in their vehicles, Toyota would not help me with my problem. 03-08-04, dealer's invoice tocs12900:I have a problem with the brake system that concerns me more than the radio malfunction. There is a viabration when I slow down to stop the car. I took my car to the dealer to have this checked. They recommended that the front rotors be turned (for $170) and that the rear brake drums be resurfaced (for $127.50) by the time the dealer checked this for me, the car had 38,363 miles. The warranty expired at 35,000 miles! neither the dealer nor Toyota will do anything about the brakes. They considered it to be "normal" wear an tear. I have never had a radio go bad in any other car I have owned. My Subaru imprezza is over 10 years old! the imprezze still had its original brakes!

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #6

Jan 102004

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
1. loud creaking and rattles: After many attempts at repairs, the problem finally turned out to be a manufacturing defect. They left plastic assembly guides in place, which they had to remove by removing the window again (this was a super secret service bulletin that was divulged only when the customer engineer for new england showed up). But he dealership managed to chip the paint in the process, requiring the roof to be repainted. Once the creak was gone, the interior rattles were unbearable from all the quality work completed. 2. transmission issue: I've been assured by the service manager at me dealership that it is normal the transmission take at least a mile shift out of second gear when below 30F and to a lesser degree during warm weather. The car won't shift into third or overdriven until after least 1-2 minute of driving, no matter what speed. 3. transmission issue: When lifting off the throttle from 60 to 55mph on a downhill, there's a "hitch" or bucking where the transmission abruptly catches, then releases. Almost like it down shifting, but it stops half way. This has been an annoying problem since day one. The bucking problem is annoying and problematic. It was solved by reset the computer and showed up again at 42,000 miles. They are blaming it on the adaptive micro-processor and my driving style. (warranty) 4. door rattles: Driver's side and passenger side doors rattle/tick when going over bumps. I asked the service manager that was let go about the rattle, and he explained it's normal for new Camry's to have the doors make that make noise. Constant use of silicone was advised by the dealership. 5. airbag recall 6. passenger seat replacement due to poor construction and squeaking 7. check engine light for defective charcoal canister 8. warped front brake rotors 9. pealing chrome on passenger door handle. (warranty) 10. Flaking paint on exterior door handles. *

- Waltham, MA, USA

problem #5

Jul 092003

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
Both rear brake discs were grooved after 4000 miles of use. Dealership turned rotors. Problems still existed with noise. Took to second dealer and they turned discs (second turning) diagnosis: Warped discs. My conscern is the safety of the rear brakes new, as well as after the remedy (turning). Customer service rep. From first dealer stated that there have been many complaints about noise, but it is perfectly safe.

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 072003

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The front disc brake rotors are warping despite normal driving, causing shaking of steering wheel when braking and possibly compromising vehicle stopping ability. It occurred at 10,000 miles. Toyota warranty service only provides for resurfacing the rotor rather than part replacement. Is this problem due to defective rotor materials and/or faulty brake system design.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #3

May 122003

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,300 miles
I went overseas for two months and returned which I do frequently and will in the future. I had the car parked and no one drove the vehicle and it only has approximately 7,500 miles on the odometer. I went to apply the brakes for the first time and the vehicle surged back and forth and almost crashed. The brakes catch" and then release in a severe lunging motion and the car is not safe to drive. After speaking to the dealer, I was told that there is rust buildup and it would not be under warranty and I must pay for the repairs. In all my 30 years of driving I have never heard of such a thing and consider the braking system or parts inferior and their should be a warning about this problem or it could be potentially a fatal situation. I have had vehicles sit around for long periods of time and have never had such a problem such as this. So it seems that after going away and returning to drive this $23K vehicle, I must pay for repairs every time. I will not drive this vehicle and am looking into legal action.

- Danby, VT, USA

problem #2

Sep 012002

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles
New automobile problems.

- Mamaroneck, NY, USA

problem #1

Feb 022003

Camry 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles
The front disk brake rotors are repeatedly warping despite normal driving habits, causing shaking of steering wheel when braking and possibly compromising vehicle stopping ability. First occurrence was at 7,000 miles, second at 15,000, third at 27,000. Rotors were resurfaced at first two occurrences to temporarily correct problem. Toyota warranty service only provides for resurfacing rather than part replacement. Is this problem due to defective rotor materials and/or faulty brake system design?

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

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