Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
I had trouble shifting my automatic transmission from park to reverse. It would not engage. I had it in reverse but the car would not move. After a few tries it engaged. I slowly drove a couple blocks to rossi's auto service and left it for the weekend. I learned it was low on transmission fluid and there was absolutely no sign anywhere of any leakage. I had it serviced at salinas Toyota on 01/22/15 for an oil change and the front brakes. I returned 02/03/15 to have a front engine mount installed. On 02/27/2015 it was missing approximately a quart of transmission fluid with a few minor metal found in the dirty fluid. I've spoken numerous times with rossi's and salinas Toyota and they have spoken to each other. No one can figure out where the transmission fluid went. The salinas Toyota assistant service manager has tried to find an answer but has not been able to. …
On Thursday, April 27, 2006, my 2002 Toyota Camry had unintended acceleration at the sherton palo alto. When entering he parking lot, the car accelerated with engine racing and crashed through the parking lot barrier. The hotel graciously repaired the barrier at their expense. This incident has not been reported previously. This in the only incident to date. A second safety issue is the transmission "lurch" my car has. I tried to have it corrected by Toyota, but they refused, saying that it would be too costly for Toyota to fix the transmission problem. Went to mediation who agreed with Toyota. The problem continues.
Transmission failure. I am surprised that a car with just 117K miles could have a transmission failure. I was parked at a stop light and when it turned green my car just stopped moving. I showed my car to multiple auto shops and they say they are have seen this issue with 2002 Camry xle and not sure why since camrys are generally considered reliable and have a longer life of 200K plus. Maybe a manufacturing defect?
My 2002 Toyota Camry accelerated suddenly as I was turning into a parking lot causing me to hit a parked car.. The car that was hit was totaled & my car had 3400.00 worth of damage. At the time of the incident in sept. 2009 I did not know that Toyota's were having a problem. Now in light of the recent recalls I believe my car has an acceleration problem.
While switching from park to drive consumer touched the gas pedal and vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own, consumer pressed brakes pedal to stop, but vehicle did not stop until hitting a wall. Mechanic tested vehicle and found that gear selector on transmission moved by itself from drive to neutral.
On four occasions when the gear shift was in drive vehicle surged forward. On one occasion vehicle was put in drive and it surged forward and collided with another vehicle. Dealer examined vehicle, but could not find the cause of the problem.
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.
(1) I have a 2002 Toyota Camry se v6 with 30500 miles. The morning of July 26, 2004, while slowing down to less than 5 MPH to drive head-first into a parking spot at work, the car surged forward and impacted squarely the concrete wall in front. After the car had come to a rest as a result of the impact with the wall, I looked down and saw that my right foot was still pressing on the brake pedal. When I attempted to put the transmission into 'park', I noticed that it was already in the 'neutral' position. I was fairly certain that I did not accidentally step onto the gas pedal causing the surge, since to do so would require me to reposition my foot from the brake pedal with the concrete wall coming up to me. (2) the impact caused damage across the front end of the vehicle. No broken lights; the hood was very slightly raised. …
At about 105,000 miles on my 2002 Camry v6, the car experienced hesitating driving while driven at speeds above 40 MPH when removing slightly the foot from the throttle pedal. The car is bucking backward and forward for indefinite time until the throttle pedal is fully depressed or fully pressed. This is an unsafe situation since on the highway the speed cannot be decreased or increased any time. Notified dealer and told that this cannot be identified since there is no error code generated (no check engine light on). Replaced all spark plugs at 108,000 miles on aug 24, 2007. Problem not solved. Spouse noticed increased bucking while driving down hill. Went back to the dealer. Performed test drive with technician in the car and the diagnose system hooked to the car's computer. Detected some misfires on cylinders 5 and 6. …
Last year my dad's Toyota was going into reverse on the 710 freeway (eastbound to paramount, ca, to work) without touching the gear shift. This really frightened us. He took my car in to have them thoroughly inspect this problem. They told him nothing was wrong that they could see. He tried to drive it again and it was just a short time that my dad's Toyota was going into reverse on the 710 freeway (eastbound to paramount, ca, to work)without touching the gear shift. Again, I was told there was nothing wrong with my car!! Frightened at the thoughts of this happening again and serious threat to my dad's life, he traded in his 2002 Camry and bought a 2009 corolla last year - to save his life!! This is an absolutely inappropriate response to my dad's problem. …
Transmission complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Toyota Camry, 7% of the model year's 953 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (43 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Camry transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.