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8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,280
Average Mileage:
115,950 miles
Total Complaints:
35 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. needs new transmission (17 reports)
  2. replace transmission (12 reports)
  3. not sure (3 reports)
  4. rebuild transmission and replace clutches (3 reports)
2002 Toyota Camry transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Toyota Camry Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Jan 112017

Camry EXL 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

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

I like Toyota camry, but the 2002 has transmission problem. I just want to add a complaint to this model. Let somebody else know it.

- Thoai T., Chamblee, US

problem #34

May 062015

Camry LE 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 220,000 miles

I bought the Camry used in good condition, 2005 at 2015 220,00 The Transmission went. I searched for a used Tranny with 88K bought it for 400.00 and found a Mechanic to take out old and replaced the used one for $275.00 . total $625.00 Still working !!

- hugo714, Brick, US

problem #33

Oct 292014

Camry LE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 247,895 miles

I bought my Toyota Camry in 2003 of Jan. I had problem with the transmission but when I take to the repair shop, always telling me there nothing wrong. Now I got to deal with this situation on my own trying to purchase one after my warranty is up. Toyota knows that there have been many complaints about the transmission on the 2002 Toyota, nothing ever done about it. Very sad about this situation. :(

- Vickie R., Jonestown, MS, US

problem #32

Jul 042007

Camry SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

I bought a Toyota in the first place because of their reliability and plus my parents have purchased vehicles from Toyota since 1990. I am pissed off with Toyota because of their inconsistency and failure to stand up to their name. I bought my Camry new with only 7 miles and I have had the dealership check the transmission on numerous occasions and all they say is that its OK. The SOBs waited until the warranty ran out to say that there is a problem with the transmission.

I still own this vehicle, however I purchased a new car which is a Nissan Maxima. I will not purchase another Toyota again. I also tell and will tell others to buy something different.

- Reco W., Waterloo, SC, US

problem #31

Nov 282013

Camry LE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,484 miles

I WAS IN ROUTE TO THANKSGIVING DINNER WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY (4cyl) STOPPED ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY. I THOUGHT MY CAR WENT INTO A NEUTRAL GEAR. PULLED IT OVER AND STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN. IT STARTS DRIVING BUT THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO FREE. LUCKILY THE EXIT WAS NOT FAR AWAY. TOOK THE EXIT AND LUCKILY AGAIN FOUND A PRIVATE GARAGE. PARKED MY CAR THERE AND CALLED FOR THE RIDE.

AFTER THE HOLIDAYS WERE OVER THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS BLOWN AWAY. I SPENT AROUND $3100 TO FIX IT.

THIS IS TOYOTA KNOWN AS THE ONE OF THE BEST CAR IN THE WORLD?

- wasee, Windsor Locks, CT, US

problem #30

Nov 152013

Camry SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles

For approximately 5 years when the weather turns cold my transmission had trouble changing gears...I took it to the shop numerous times and was told it was ok. I am meticulous about maintenance on my car and have had the transmission serviced when it was due. Last Friday the transmission went out basically with no warning this time and will need to be replaced...which entails taking the engine out in order to replace it...had I not taken it each time this occurred and had been told it was ok...I probably would not be so perturbed about this.

- Kimberly S., Beaumont, TX, US

problem #29

Dec 092013

Camry LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,080 miles

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

Check engine light showed around Dec 19, 2013. Had dealer trouble shoot today Jan 14, 2014. Diagnosed transmission needs to be replaced. Quote was given for a replacement I.e used not rebuilt transmission. Disappointed with transmission problem especially with given mileage and up to date dealer maintenance. Have been very pleased with the car otherwise.

If Toyota knew about this problem before and did not take steps to fix, then it really speaks to the integrity of the company and the Toyota brand. We had been having a problem with sudden power loss mainly on the highway and around 100 km/h but dealer was unable to resolve. I wonder if that was an early warning sign about the transmission issue.

- trini100, Bedford, Nova Scotia, canada

problem #28

Jun 182012

Camry LE 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Among other problems, smoking on start up, and rough idling after battery change, our transmission started sliping in 2-3 shift, my mechanic said these camrys suck 02-05, lots of problems design flaw allows a part in trans to "oscolate excessivly" causing line pressure loss and jerking into reverse. He also said smoke is from head gasket seepage, and that all these camrys have stripped head bolts when they rebuild them. I have also had to replace the struts and sway bar end links. First and last toyota, my chevys always broke too but at least they got better mialage.. and hualed but :)

- camryh8tr, Nuevo, CA, US

problem #27

Feb 112013

Camry XLE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 167,000 miles

2002 Toyota Camy xle 167k miles transmission went. This transmission problem has made me not like Toyota anymore. I raved how reliable these cars are and how long they last. I owned a Subaru that lasted longer than this and it had more miles on it as well. My feeling as so hurt. I can't buy another Toyota after this awful experience!!!!!!

- R R., Peekskill, NY, US

problem #26

Feb 222013

Camry LE V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

Was driving my Toyota Camry when all of a sudden it started stalling and eventually stopped. I tried to change gears by putting reverse, just to make sure that what was happening was not as a result of wrongly engaged gear, but the car never moved. The car never had a problem of sorts in the past, and have made a habit of topping fluids at least once a month. Upon checking the ground, i noticed a bright cherry red fluid leaking and sensed it could be transmission issue owing to the color. The mechanic confirmed my suspicion and said transmission and seals needed to be replaced.The cost of replacing the transmission is going to cost me $2,500 not including labor. My faith in Toyota cars has been seriously eroded by this experience, and more especially by the unwillingness of the Toyota Company Corporate officials to address the issue, simply because my car was out of warranty range. I swear not to buy, nor recommend a Toyota car to anyone in future and I'm not happy with the experience they gave me.

Paul Weru

- paulweru, Columbia, MO, US

problem #25

Aug 022010

Camry XLE 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

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

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHY WOULD THIS HAPPEN ON A TOYOTA THAT YOU PAID GOOD MONEY FOR ESPECIALLY WHEN THE HEAD BLEW OFF THE ENGINE WITHE ANOTHER $2900 DOLLARS. WE MUST HAVE GOT A LEMON.

- Lisa M., North Salt Lake, UT, US

problem #24

Jul 092012

Camry XLE 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,000 miles

We're now on the second replacement transmission for an additional sum of money. We got the Camry because it was supposed to be reliable and we gave it, after years of successful use, to our son to use at college. It has stranded him three times. At summer school this summer he had no way to go out for food so I had to drive 1.5 hours each way at least once a week to stock a small fridge for him so he could eat. It already has a rebuilt engine.

- Laura L., Aiken, SC, US

problem #23

May 082012

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Transmission just started slipping. Mainly happened when it got warmed up but all fluid levels are correct. Regularly maintained engine so even though it had high mileage or considered high mileage, 120K, I thought I was safe, Anyway after reading all these Complaints it looks like 2002 camrys have some issues with the transmissions. Waiting for the recall or check in the mail from Toyota..HAHAHA. Really stinks that we all had to buy the year they made a lemon.. what you gonna do??

- Mike W., Batimore, MD, US

problem #22

Sep 122011

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I thought Toyota were reliable cars until my transmission out of the blue stops. Weird situation I was driving all day normally and coming home on the freeway my car starts losing power it felt as if someone put the car in neutral. I managed to get to the emergency lane then got towed off. Next day I had a mechanic come check out the car it he said the engine sounds normal but he thinks it is going to be a transmission problem. Now I go get a Transmission mechanic, he brought with him a computer car code reader. The Code error was "Shift Solenoid” he said yelp, you need a new transmission. I ask myself, Toyota purposely put out a defective transmission. With big regret I loved Toyota. Toyota needs to help all of us with our Camry transmission so we can be back on Team Toyota.

- rsa, Whittier, CA, US

problem #21

May 212011

Camry LXE V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Ruined our family weekend with friends in Poconos. We had to rent a track and tow it to Long Island NY. My daughter had to lease a new car. We had too much aggravation that weekend.

- Zoya R., Plainview, NY, US

problem #20

Jul 222011

Camry XLE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

The transmission failed after a 2 hour road trip. We stopped to pay toll and the car was in drive but coasted backwards when I took my foot off the break. Pushing the gas only made the RPMs sky rocket but the car did not move. I was able to get it to go forward after letting it cool down and starting it again.

I'm getting prices on used transmissions in the $350 to $1000 range so far not including labor...

To rebuild the existing transmission prices are ranging from $1300 to $3100...

- Camry P., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #19

Apr 052011

Camry XLE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,020 miles

This transmission gave out at a stop light with no prior indication of a problem

- rodbarb, La Mirada, CA, US

problem #18

Feb 042011

Camry XLE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,683 miles

I am driving a 2000 Camry with 185,000 miles with no problems, but the 2002 Camry suddenly lost its transmission at just under 90,000 miles. The clutches were burned up!! We had no problems until this. The mechanic said he just hardly ever sees a Toyota transmission failure at htis mileage. What's with the 2002???

- John K., Valparaiso, IN, US

problem #17

Jan 182011

Camry XLE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Started hard shifting at low-speeds, from 1st to 2nd and 3rd gears. Check engine light came on. Reverse also had a problem.

Dealer told me that the whole transmission needs to be replaced. Fluid had turned to "chocolate" and there were chunks of metal in the transmission pan. Car had been serviced at Wondries Toyota in Alhambra, CA about 14,000 miles (12 months earlier).

Called Toyota Experience Center (800-331-4331) and after a long wait, reported my problem. There is no extended warranty (beyond factory 60K miles) and my only recourse is to contact Wondries Toyota.

- Jim H., Milpitas, CA, US

problem #16

Nov 092010

Camry LE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I bought my car THREE weeks ago from MILLER TOYOTA OF ANAHEIM in CA. the first week i felt a little putt but nothing big just kind of lik the car was cold and didn't shift fast. Also when I was going from reverse to drive it would jolt but it didn't seem like anything too big to me because i had just bought it and trusted the dealership and it only happened a few times. Well exactly three weeks into it as i was getting off the freeway it started to putt a little and then i heard humming from under the hood as i drove. Usually this goes away but it got worse. The RPM went up from 2 or 3 to 5 or 6 and my speen stayed at about 30 or even went down to 20. Which makes no sense at all. Finally the RPM just stayed up and i couldn't go faster than 20. I parked and let it cool off and it stopped for 10 minutes then started back up. I pulled over then the check engine light came on and the car was so hard to drive. I would of had to go 20 all the way home. I had to leave it in a parking lot and in the morning went to see how it was and me and a few friends got stuck in the middle of a huge intersection which was funny to me cuz i couldn't do anything but laugh cuz this was so ridiculous to me. Pretty much the transmission gets stuck like its in neutral but will not work in any gears but your RPM will be sky high. Had it towed right back to wear i bought it and raised hell. I did pass my 1000 mile warranty but in 3 weeks i was pissed. They did get me a rental today cuz i need a new transmission that will cost either used 1550 or new 5000. B.S. to me. They better pay for it. my fluid was burnt and black which i think cannot happen in 3 weeks. Hope this helps. I actually printed all the other complaints about this problem with the same 2002 Camry and showed them so this did help me a lot. Its a very rare problem that only happens to some Camrys between 2002 and 2006 and i feel bad for whoever gets one.

- Melanie O., Whittier, CA, US

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