Model year guide

2002 Toyota Camry

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Toyota Camry is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 329 on record.

2002 Toyota Camry at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints1,043
Combined23 mpg
Typical price$3,136

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Toyota Camry recalls 4

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #01V372000 · 11/12/2001

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.

Fix: 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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT…

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #04V346000 · 13/07/2004

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.

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #01V306000 · 25/09/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Fix: 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. BOTH OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED.

Tires NHTSA Campaign #01V302000 · 01/10/2001

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.

Fix: 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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Toyota Camry common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,043 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2002 Toyota Camry safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2002 Toyota Camry 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2002 Toyota Camry MPG & running costs

Combined23 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,683

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2002 Toyota Camry worth?

Low
$1,700
Typical price
$3,136
High
$4,650

From 324 comparable 2002 Toyota Camry listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Toyota Camry costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,415
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,750
Total$15,165
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($3,136) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,362), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Toyota Camry trims & engines on record

Trims
LE · SE V6 · XLE · SE · v6 le
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl 157 hp · 3.0L 6-cyl 225 hp · 2.2L 4-cyl 136 hp · 3.0L 6-cyl 194 hp

2002 Toyota Camry vehicles on record

Other Toyota Camry model years

2002 Toyota Camry — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Toyota Camry have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2002 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Camry?

Based on 1,043 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, air bags, electrical system.

What is the 2002 Toyota Camry safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2002 Toyota Camry crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 2★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Camry get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Toyota Camry at about 23 mpg combined (20 city / 28 highway).

How much is a 2002 Toyota Camry worth?

Comparable 2002 Toyota Camry listings run roughly $1,700–$4,650, typically around $3,136 (from 324 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.