Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Husband was driving home from playing golf on the highway. As he headed north up the hill, he pressed the gas. The car promptly jerked then completely shut down/ceized. Husband immediately looked at the temperature gauge, which read normal, as well as the gas gauge (full). As he stepped from the car to pop the hood, he could smell smoke. In opening the hood, there was a small flame that within 1-2 minutes, completely engulfed the engine/hood. Husband immediately called the fire department, as the car continued to grow in flames which spread to a brush fire. Husband was not injured and there were no other persons involved in this accident (non-collision). Both the fire department and state trooper arrived to the scene and took a full report and inspection of the accident. All parties agreed this was the result of a vehicle malfunction, as cars do not nor should they just catch fire! …
I had an accident because my 2002 Toyota Camry didn't stop when applying the brake but kept on going till it hi a fire hydra06nt. I had just pulled into a parking place but the car just didn't stop. It happened once before but just lasted a few seconds and it didn't cause an accident. I'm still driving but am afraid this mieht happen again. I can't keep driving a care that just drives itself.. I know this is a defect in the Toyota and there have been recalls. I just can't find it in the 2002 modle.
The car now has approximately 80,000 miles on it - for at least the last 35,000 miles, it's had a problem with either stalling or not restarting after the engine's turned off (often, several incidents will occur in rapid succession, after which the car will function properly for months). Stalling tends to occur when the car is decelerating and coming to a stop - if adequate speed can be maintained, the engine will sputter but won't shut down. In my opinion the stalling and failure to restart problems are connected and I've read of other Camry owners who've been confronted with this issue. Unfortunately, after an incident nothing registers on the car's computer, so mechanics really don't where to start in diagnosing the problem and formulating a possible fix. …
Tl* 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. …
This accident occurred in my garage. I had backed the car out of the garage and left the engine running with the car in park while I removed the garbage container and upon returning to my car about 1 minute later, I placed my foot on the brake pedal and shifted the car into drive. Immediately, the car accelerated forward at a very high speed and despite the fact that my foot remained on the brake pedal, it did not stop and crashed into the concrete wall at the rear of my garage. The air bags deployed minimizing my injuries. The car was totaled by my insurance company - the front end was badly smashed and the frame was bent. The total estimate to repair was in excess of $9000. The total travel of the car was 26 feet. I have no idea how fast the car accelerated to, however in the 60,000 miles that we had driven the car, I had never experienced this high degree of acceleration. …
I have a 2002 Toyota Camry. Upon pulling into a parking stall I applied the brakes to slow down as normally done when parking. At this time the car lurched forward, the engine raced, the car hopped the curb and hit a building. I believe this could be tied to the current gas pedal recall. I have a witnesses that will attest to the fact that during this whole scenerio my brake lights were on the whole time.
Purchased the Camry from reyes auto group in lakewood, nj. Took the vehicle back to pa where I live and 2 mechanics showed me the rusted out under carriage of vehicle and stated that it will not pass the pa safety inspection and would cost over $2000 to fix! Gas started leaking from tank because of rusted condition.
The car is experiencing sudden acceleration it is lunging forward. The last occurrence was around 20 minutes ago, it has happened to two family members so far, while driving no extra pressure on the gas the car suddenly accelerate.
I did not notice any malfunctions of my car prior to the event that I am reporting. In June of 2009 I was pulling into a parking space in a parking lot. My foot was lightly on the brake and I nearly at a complete stop when my car lurched forward like a rocket. My car jumped the curb of the parking spot, sideswiped a row of mailboxes on my left while traveling across an small island of lawn and shooting over another curb on the other side of the island. My vehicle came to a stop on the other side of the parking lot approximately 15 feet short of ramming the side of a parked car. Both of my feet were on the brake pedal, both of my legs were fully extended with my knees locked and my entire body was fully extended with all of my weight applied to the brake pedal. I immediately placed the car in park and turned the engine off. …
On December 14, 2012, at about 7:20 am, my spouse, [redacted] got into the driver's seat of the above described 2002 Toyota Camry, which was parked on our driveway. After fastening her seat belt and then checking behind to make sure our street was free of pedestrians and bike riders, my spouse placed her right foot firmly on the brake and shifted the automatic transmission lever from "park" to "reverse" the Toyota Camry instantly accelerated backwards at a high rate of speed. And hit a tree on my across the street neighbor's lawn, fortunately, the car stopped before hitting my neighbor's garage door because the passenger side front wheel dug itself into the lawn and the front wheel drive lost traction in a manner similar to what one expect when one drives into heavy snow. The total time elapsed during the sudden unintended acceleration was less than two seconds. …
Fuel System complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Toyota Camry, 4% of the model year's 953 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Camry fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2002 Toyota Camry, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Camry fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.