Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My passenger side dash airbag is bloating and tearing at the seam. It is available for inspection. I am concerned that it will continue to add pressure and eventually deploy. It seems unsafe for passengers -would it work properly in the case of an accident? And for myself as the driver, it would certainly startle me while driving if it deployed by itself. I took it in to get serviced and was told it would need to be replaced. The cost will be around $1600. I haven't had my insurance inspect it, is that something that is recommended? I tried to contact Toyota but never heard back. I don't have any warning lights on, and I noticed the issue starting in the past year. I have found threads of other Toyota Camry in the same car age range with owners that are having/had the same issue. These threads mentioned it happening around 40,000 miles, and that aligns with my car too. …
The components or systems that have failed are (Catalytic Converter, Exhaust Manifold, Air Bag Control Module, Engine including head gasket) My safety is at risk due to catalytic converter not functioning properly producing harmful carbon monoxide that can be smelled through air vents, Air bag control module not functioning which will not able to initiate the deployment of airbag in the event of a wreck/accident could lead to fatality. Engine not functioning properly due to blown head gasket which could lead to overheating amongst other things. Vehicle has been inspected by Dealership. Yes there are warning lights prior to failure (Check engine light)
I had a wreck in jan., 7th, 2005. I was traveling below the speed limit and the lady in front of me was dead stopped and I cold not stop my car. I hit her stopped car, doing 45 MPH and my airbags did not deploy! Now the airbag on the passenger side, is not right. It has moved and separated as if it is about to pop open, since the wreck and the people that did the service on my car to fix the front end (via my insurance co. - usaa) have had it looked at and they will not do anything about it. The cover has moved even more, since my wreck in jan. 7th, 2015 and I am really scared. My 84 year old mother and my service dog ride in the passenger seat. Please help me before it deploys in her face!
I was rear ended on the interstate. I was at a complete halt when a distracted driver of a cement truck rear ended my Camry resulting in the car being completely totalled. Zero airbags deployed after blunt force to the rear causing the car to spin around and be hit again in the front. Photos attached
I had an accident with my Toyota while my husband was driving on a city street and I was sitting beside him. We hit a car when it stopped suddenly. The seat belt and air bags did not protect me. My head strongly hit the windshield.
To whom it May concern: on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 I was on the highway on my way home from work when suddenly I heard a very loud pop. At that moment I wasn't sure whether the sound had come from my vehicle or someone else's, so I continued to drive home. When I arrived to my house I proceeded to check my vehicle to make sure that said noise hadn't come from my car. That's when I noticed that the dashboard on the passenger side was elevated and the airbag was visible. After extensive research, I have found that multiple Toyota vehicles including but not limited to the following models, 2003-2008 corolla, 2003-2008 matrix, 2003-2006 tundra, and 2002-2007 sequoia have had identical problems with their passenger side airbags and have been recalled for same. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. While driving 5 MPH into a driveway her vehicle crashed into a brick retainer wall. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who quoted a repair cost of $2000 to repair the damage to the front fender. The mechanic stated that he confirmed that there was no mechanical damage done to the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and no one was injured. While parking the vehicle it unexpectedly accelerated and crashed into a beauty salon. The police was notified and a report is available. The police officer stated that the contact loss consciousness prior to the crash. The contact stated she was in complete control of the vehicle when it accelerated on its own on both occasions. The dealer stated that there were no problems with the vehicle when it was sold to her. …
I was driving southbound on lakeshore dr when with no warning of a turn signal a tow truck driver cut me off and slowed almost to a complete stop. I had no choice but to brace for impact as I stomped down on my brakes. The entire front end of my car was totaled as the front right end of my car made impact with the left rear end of his tow truck. After the dist settled I looked around and realized that no airbags deployed. I found this realization extremely alarming, not only for the chest pain that I was experiencing on my right side which I felt was from my chest hitting the steering wheel (even thought I was indeed wearing my seatbelt) but because earlier this year Toyota had come out with a recall list, and when I called to find out if my car was on the recall list I was told no. I don't know how my car was looked over but this is a situation that should be immediately rectified. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a wall. The vehicle was moderately damaged. One week later, the failure recurred and the vehicle crashed into a building. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. The contact was not injured in either crash. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer and a representative concluded after inspection of the vehicle that nothing caused the spontaneous acceleration. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 60,000. See also 10286930
While parking the vehicle, the brakes failed and the vehicle proceeded forward until it hit a building. The frontal air bags did not deploy. The sheriff stated by the position of the wheels he knew the brakes failed. Before the accident, the consumer complained to Toyota about the brake going to the floor when it was applied. The consumer stated she was sure that the high acceleration that occurred with her vehicle was the result of the gas pedal sticking. The consumer stated she knocked down a 4 foot metal parking light, proceeded and hit one wall, ran over numerous shrubbery, a tree and hit the entrance of a brick wall at a bank. Updated 04/19/10
Related recalls
Air bags › Side/window
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the csas and replace the air bag assembly if necessary. The recall began on August 6, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a three-spoke style steering wheel. During air bag deployment, it is possible that the bottom seam of the front driver's side air bag module cover (horn pad) could be torn away allowing the bottom portion of the cover to completely detach from the air bag module.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag module. Owner notification began December 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Incomplete deployment of the front passenger side air bag could occur in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag assembly. Both owners were notified by telephone and arrangements have been made to correct this problem. This campaign is 100% completed.
Airbag complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Toyota Camry, 9% of the model year's 953 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Camry airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-346 (side/window, Jul 13, 2004); NHTSA recall 01V-372 (frontal, Dec 11, 2001); NHTSA recall 01V-306 (frontal, Sep 25, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Camry airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 58 crashes, 0 fires and 50 injuries and 4 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.