Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry equipped with Goodyear assurance comfortred touring tires, size 205/65r15 (na). While driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a barrier. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the front passenger side tire had a three inch crack present in the sidewall. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 90,000.
My 2002 Toyota Camry is the worst car I have ever driven in snowy conditions. It has no traction, fishtails, can barely make it up hills, etc. A mechanic (not at Toyota) also pointed out the tires were wearing unevenly and very quickly (I have put fewer than 20,000 total miles on this car). Last week I was coming around a corner in the snow (at about 10 MPH) hit a slippery patch and the car seized up completely. I slid across the road and into another car. Now looking at the NHTSA site, I see that I am not alone, and that the tires that come with the car from the factory are not meant for all weather driving. I am outraged. Like others I bought this car because of its reputation as a "safe" family car. I called the service manager at my dealer who basically said "too bad. …
The Camry se model equipped with sport tires(Bridgestone turanza in this case) will not function in any level of snowfall. I have had easily over 10 incidents of not being able to stop the vehicle...more incidents of not being able to get started in ridiculously light snow conditions. I had an accident where I rear-ended a car while doing 10 MPH because I completely lost any capability of stopping. I have had 5 other people drive the car and every one of them could not believe the lack of traction. My insurance agent owns a Camry le with completely different tires and claims the car is excellent in the snow. I called Toyota and they said that there are no other complaints on this...bull!!! …
I bought 4 new pirelli cinturato p5 tires for my 2002 Toyota Camry in February of 2010 from discount tire. I was told that these tires they easily last for 85,000 miles before having to replace them. Since then I gone back to discount tire to have them regularly rotated and balanced. Last tire rotation was in the month of December 2011. When I went to get my tires rotated and balanced again on 3-23-2012, I was told that two of the tires are already worn out and other two are close to getting worn out and I would be better off to get new tires to keep me safe while driving. I informed the sales personnel that these tires are just two years old and with less than 27,000 miles since purchased. He mentioned to me that tires many a times do not give the mileage they are rated for. In my case, I got less than 1/3rd of the rated mileage. …
My '02 Toyota Camry xle has 115,530 miles on the odometer and I have had to replace all four tires four times over this period (details below). At this point, Firestone believes the problem lies with the engineering of the car somehow because their maintenance log supports the fact that I have given these tires the proper care (regular alignment checks, tire balance/rotation every 4K miles, and maintaining proper air pressure) and they are no longer willing to honor tire warranties for this vehicle because each time the tires are replaced, they are under the warranty. They claim that the probability of the problem lying with the tires is virtually impossible, given this tire history. …
I have a 2002 Camry se v6 that has a persistent noise when the brakes are applied. I had the car's brakes repaired at jack sherman Toyota in binghamton ny because all rotors were warped at approximately 20,000 miles. I have since noticed a clang or clank when the brakes are applied or the steering wheel is turned or occasionally going over bumps. I took the car back to jack sherman Toyota and made them aware of the noise but was told nothing could be done to correct this problem. I have since pulled the front right wheel and noticed the wheel studs are too short! This problem is actually present on all wheels. The taper at the base of the stud does not protrude through the hub flange to center the rotor properly and this allows the rotor to slap against the stud threads when the brakes are applied. This May eventually cause them to shear off. I have pictures available upon request. …
2002 Toyota Camry lev6 w/15" rims. Car is unstable at high speeds. We are now on our third set of tires and the car only has 21,000 miles on it. First set (continental) became bald on outside edge of both front tires at 9000 miles. Tires were rotated (front to rear, rear to front) and front end alignment was done. Tires became bald on outside edge after only 8000 miles (17000 total miles on car). Dealer replaced all 4 tires with dunlop and I had to pay for a four wheel alignment. After 2500 more miles car again became unstable at high speeds. It started at about 75 MPH and as the tires wore it became unstable at lower speeds 55-65 MPH. The dealer replaced all four tires again with Michelin this time and did another front end alignment. Now with only 1200 miles on the new tires it is again becoming unstable at high speeds 65-75 MPH. …
I own a 2002 Camry se, and it came originally equipped with Bridgestone turanzas on it. These tires are worthless in the snow and rain. I took my complaint to the Toyota dealer, and they said that the tires were "performance" tires and all they could do was help me get a discount on another set of tires. That is not acceptable, as this type of (family) car should not have come equipped with a dangerous tire. I complained to the Bridgestone dealer as well, and they told me that these were very hard tires, and are the type that would normally be put on a corvette, or similar sports car. I was forced to replace the tires at my expense, with only 21,000 miles on them. The car would not stop in the snow, and would slip at takeoff in the rain as well. These tires should have never been put on this car. I am disappointed that Toyota would put this type of tire on a Camry.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Camry. The vehicle has sumitomo tires. While accelerating from a stop or driving up to 55 MPH, the vehicle would hydroplane. The contact noticed that the tread was bald on the one year old tires. The vehicle was driven to a sears repair shop for a routine tire rotation three times within one year. On each visit, the mechanic stated that the tires were not defective. The manufacturer was not notified. The dot number, tire line, and tire size were unknown. The current mileage was 142,000 and failure mileage was 136,444. Updated 03/12/09. Updated 03/13/09.
Dt*: the contact stated while parked, air was noticed leaking from a rear tire. The vehicle had no warning lights for tire pressure. The leak was continuous and no problem was detected in the tire itself. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, who determined the leak was coming through the cast alloy rim. The manufacturer was contacted who took the case and promised to call back the next business day which never happened. The contact expressed concern because the other three wheels could be defective as well.
Related recalls
Tires
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with continental touring tires, p205-65r15 92s, installed at the ports in jacksonville, florida. The incorrect tires were installed on vehicles that had damaged tires. The tires were damaged during a port upgrade to aluminum wheels.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all five tires. Owner notification began September 13, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2002 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2002 Toyota Camry, 6% of the model year's 953 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Camry wheel & tire problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-302 (tires, Oct 1, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Camry wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 57% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.