2002 TOYOTA CAMRY Engine Problems

Toyota dealer contacted me; said my car will cost $15000 to fix. He said people at Toyota who has my exact car costed $15000 to fix! it’s known in automotive circles this year make model & engine size has this factory defect of the rear head studs stripping out and becoming loose. This causes combustion failure of the head gasket and engine block. The cylinder heads will be warped & cracked. Engine won’t hold coolant! Gauge jumps to H after brief attempt at combustion. Replacing the head g. Cylinder heads or engine block is insufficient due to the factory defect . only a total engine replacement has worked for past owners at $15000 if Toyota dies it. A mechanic said if u can fine like a 2006 lower miles engine & get mechanic to instal maybe $2000, that’s $4000. Bridgetown automotive in my area said at the very minimum in a discounted price it will be $8000. He said only a totally rebuilt engine or a new one put in will work. I’m seeking Toyota to give me a new car that doesn’t have this issue. People posting at blogs said they spent the $2200 to disassemble their engines as the auto places told them it was definitely their head gaskets causing coolant. once opened though, it was found their head gaskets were fine. The issue was , from factory, the head studs had stripped out and were loose. This, according to engine experts is total engine failure. Only replacing everything can fix this.

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)

The contact owned a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the steering wheel had seized up and the vehicle had begun to lose forward momentum. The contact heard an abnormal "popping" sound at the moment the steering had stopped functionality. The contact stated she was not aware of any warning lights. The contact pulled off of the roadway and stopped, as she placed the vehicle in park (P) she noted smoke coming from the front. The contact stated she exited the vehicle and saw that there were flames from under the vehicle. The contact stated that after about 2 to 3 minutes the entire front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the flames using foam and other chemicals. The police were also on scene and filed a report. The vehicle was towed away to an impound lot. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

I was sold an bad car

I did the texas inspection test, and my vehicle failed the test, and the report with catalyst, evap, and O2 sens was not completed. I'm wondering what is the problem and how I can fix it. I would like to have my vehicle get checked out and find the problem.

03/16/2021 - 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.4L MY REGULAR AUTO SHOP REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE'S HEAD BOLTS ARE STRIPPED AND IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONGST THIS CAMRY YEAR. IT'S GOING TO COST $2,200 TO REPAIR ALBEIT NEW RADIATOR, AND THERMOSTAT. COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS. MECHANIC SAYS HE'S SEEN MANY CAMRY'S WITH THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY THE 2002-2003. THE KBB VALUE IS LESS THAN THAT. THINKING IT MAKES SENSE TO SELL AS SALVAGE THAN REPAIR. SO DISAPPOINTED! LONG-TIME TOYOTA FAN BUT IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE INDICATIVE OF A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THEN WHAT'S THE HOLD UP FOR A RECALL.

Mileage: 108,000

LIKE MANY OTHER 2002 CAMRYS, I HAVE A STRIPPED THREADS FOR THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE 2.4L ENGINE; THIS REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN DESCRIBING THE REPAIR. GOOGLE 'TOYOTA BULLETIN T-SB-0015-11' TO READ MORE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THIS ENGINE.

Mileage: 150,000

LIKE MANY OTHER 2002 CAMRYS, I HAVE A STRIPPED THREADS FOR THE HEAD BOLTS IN THE 2.4L ENGINE; THIS REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN DESCRIBING THE REPAIR. GOOGLE 'TOYOTA BULLETIN T-SB-0015-11' TO READ MORE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THIS ENGINE.

Mileage: 170,500

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.

Mileage: 220,000

BOUGH THE CAR FROM A TOYOTA DEALER 8/2013 WITH 36K MILES. YES, VERY LOW MILEAGE, 36,000 MILES. ON 11/2015 ON MY WAY TO WORK WHILE I WAS IN THE FREE WAY, I'VE NOTICED MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS STARTING TO GO UP, I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXIT OUT OF THE FREEWAY AND WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT TO ONE OF THE MECHANIC I USUALLY USE AFTER I WAS ABLE TO ADD WATER. THE MECHANIC DID NOT EVEN LOOKED AT THE CAR AFTER I TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPEN, HIS RESPONSE WAS YOU NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 52.5K MILES ON THE ORIGINAL ENGINE. HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ISSUE FROM STRIP HEAD BOLTS. THE PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION IS IF I DID NOT NOTICED MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALL WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I DID A RESEARCH ABOUT THE 2.4L 2AZFE ENGINES AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINES. I'VE CALLED THE DEALER AND EVEN TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP ME OUT, I AM PRETTY MUCH OUT OF MY LUCK. MY MOM CAR WAS A 06 SCION TC WITH SAME ENGINE, 136K, 1/18, BLOWN HEAD GASKET DUE TO STRIP HEAD BOLTS. I ENDED UP BUYING REBUILT ENGINES FOR BOTH CARS AND I DID NOT BUY IT FROM THE DEALER. I HAD A 92 CAMRY, 2.2L I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO ALMOST 300K WITH ORIGINAL ENGINE.

Mileage: 52,500

THE CAR IS BURNING A QUART OF OIL A WEEK AND NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF A LEAK. THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENS WITHE THE KEY AND FOB.

Mileage: 150,900

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO DRIVE, THE GAUGES START TO GO CRAZY, AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED AND THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE AND PUSH IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER PERSON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BATTERY CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTERWARDS, WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE 30 MILES FROM THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GROUND WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE BATTERY CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS RATTLING AND FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED TWO DAYS AGO, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF OIL AND THREE QUARTS HAD TO BE ADDED. THE OIL HAD TO BE CHANGED EVERY 700 MILES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL AND SHOOK WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 50 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1909271661. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,800.

Mileage: 23,800

I WAS COMING OUT OF MY MECHANIC DRIVEWAY AND I LET CARS GO BY DOWN A BUSY STREET> MY FOOT WAS CLEARLY ON THE BRAKE AND SUDDENLY I HEARD A WINING NOISE AND MY THE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND WENT ACROSS THE ROAD AND HIT A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I SAID TO MYSELF THIS CAR IS CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK THE BRAKES ABS AND TRANSMISSION NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

Mileage: 76,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BOLT FRACTURED IN THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BOLT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE. CAR AT 4 YEARS OLD AND LESS THAN 40K MILES WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER AS USING 1Q OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. AT 60K IT WAS USING 1Q EVERY 1000 MILES. ALL THE TIMES THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION, NOW AT 100K IT IS USING 1Q EVERY 300 MILES AND I AM BEING TOLD I NEED NEW RINGS. I BELIEVE THE 02 CAMRY IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME THING THE LATER MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR AND TOYOTA WAS HIDING THE FACT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR 4 CYL MODELS. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME A SMOG EMISSIONS ISSUE WITH THE OIL USAGE. CONTACTED THE 1-800 TOYOTA NUMBER AND THEY SAID IT ISN'T UNDER A CAMPAIGN AND WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

Mileage: 101,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE COULD BE SEEN COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

I BOUGHT MY 2002 CAMRY NEW. I MAINTAINED IT PROPERLY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. AT 107K MILES A GURGLING SOUND BEGAN IN THE ENGINE AND ROUGH IDLING, AND THE TEMPERATURE WENT STRAIGHT TO H, TOOK IMMEDIATELY TO MY EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANIC, HE PUT IN A NEW RADIATOR. WITHIN DAYS THE GURGLING AND ROUGH IDLING BEGAN AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. AFTER THOROUGHLY CHECKING THE ENGINE (HE EVEN CALLED IN ANOTHER TOP MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION) AND THEN TOLD ME THE BAD NEWS. 2002-06 TOYOTA CAMRY'S HAVE A FLAW IN THE BOLT DESIGN THAT CAUSES THE CYLINDER HEAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK RESULTING IN THE COOLANT LEAKING TO THE ENGINE. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE SALESMAN SAID CAMRY'S RUN FOR 300K MILES, WELL HE NEGLECTED TO TELL ME THAT AFTER ONLY 107K MILES BECAUSE OF THIS FLAW IN THE ENGINE YOU WILL HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS SO THE SEAL IS NOT TIGHT -- SO YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE!!!! AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I SEE THIS IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED CASE!!! TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ENGINE FLAW. THEY NEED TO PAY FOR THESE VERY EXPENSIVE ENGINE REPLACEMENTS!!!! MY MECHANIC SAID TOYOTA USED STEEL HEAD BOLTS IN AN ALUMINUM ENGINE. VERY BAD! STEEL AND ALUMINUM EXPAND AND CONTRACT AT DIFFERENT RATES, WHICH CAUSES THE PROBLEM!

Mileage: 107,000

AT 145,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO 3 STRIPPED HEAD BOLT.

Mileage: 145,000

TWO SEPARATE EPISODES OF RAPID UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION ON 27JAN2018 AND 09FEB2018 RESULTING IN VEHICLE MOVING FORWARD AND ENGINE RUNNING RAPIDLY. FIRST EPISODE OCCURRED WHILE MOVING INTO MY GARAGE CAUSING CAR TO KNOCK DOWN THREE CASES OF WATER AND HITTING STORAGE AREA; SECOND EPISODE OCCURRED WHILE PULLING OUT OF ATM AREA THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, HAD TO SWEAR LEFT NOT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR, HITTING BANK STOP SIGN. HAD TO PLACE CAR IN NEUTRAL, BRAKES DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE. SECOND EPISODE WITNESSED BY PASSAGE IN FRONT SEAT. AFTER FIRST EPISODE DROVE CARE CAREFULLY LOCALLY AND IT DID NOT REOCCUR, UNTIL APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER WHEN SECOND EPISODE OCCURRED AT ATM SITE. WHEN GETTING CAR HOME PLACED CAR IN NEUTRAL BEFORE STOPPING, MADE APPOINTMENT FOR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK CARE ON 12FEB2018. ABLE TO DRIVE TO DEALERSHIP, SLOWLY AND USING NEUTRAL GEAR PRIOR TO BREAKING. DEALERSHIP, AFTER EXAMINING FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR SAID CAR WAS FINE. NOT HAPPY WITH THIS RESULT SINCE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG TO CREATE SUCH A FRIGHTENING ACCELERATION. AT DEALERSHIP CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO START REVIEW PROCESS OF THESE EVENTS. IN PROGRESS NOW. TOYOTA HAS SAID CAR WAS INSPECTED (NO ROAD TEST) AND CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I DO NOT FEEL CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM COMPLETING THIS COMPLAINT TO MAKE SURE THE ISSUE IS ADDRESSED. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW AND KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG THAT EITHER IS UNDISCOVERED OR UNREVEALED. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS FORM.

Mileage: 244,000

THE ENGINE WILL BEGIN TO JERK AND THEN IT WILL NOT IDLE. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL RESTART THEN IT RUNS WELL FOR A MONTH OR SO BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THAT DID NOT HELP. THE CAR HAS 151000 MILES ON IT HAS PRESENTS THIS PROBLEM ABOUT EVERY 3000 MILES ALWAYS WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE INTERSTATE, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO TRY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC.

Mileage: 28,000

THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO FIND OUT WHY, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SO I HAD IT REPAIRED, THE LIGHT WAS OFF. I WAS DRIVING ON THE 70 HIGHWAY IN ST LOUIS, MO WHEN GOING AROUND A CIRCULAR OFF RAMP THE CAR TURNED OFF AND IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. I LIFT THE HOOD BUT COULD NOT TELL WHAT WAS WRONG. MO DOT (HIGHWAY TOW SERVICE) PUSHED ME OFF OF THE ROAD, AND THE DRIVER SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE. I CALLED AAA AND HAD THEM TAKE IT TO A REPAIR STATION, BUT IT WAS CLOSED. I LEFT IT THERE TILL MORNING AND WENT BACK THE NEXT MORNING TO CHECK ON IT. IT STARTED AND I LET IT RUN A FEW MINUTES TILL SOMEONE COULD LOOK AT IT. I DROVE IT TO THE BAY AND THE TECH RAN A COMPUTER CHECK ON IT ( SEE PRINTOUT). HE SAID TAKE IT BACK TO THE OTHER PLACE BUT IT STOPPED ON THE LOT. THE WORKER LIFTED THE HOOD, AND IT WAS SPEWING FROM THE RADIATOR! HE SAID TURN IT OFF, AND AFTER LOOKING SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RADIATOR, THE HEAD GASKET AND THE ENGINE! IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP, AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $4,500 TO REPAIR IT!!! I HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER REPAIR PLACE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME!!! BEFORE THIS, I HAD NO PROBLEMS, NO LIGHTS HAD COME ON AND NO INDICATORS OF ANY PROBLEMS!! I CHECKED TOYOTA'S SITE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES AND HEAD GASKETS!!! THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED!!!! CONTACT ME!!! I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO PURCHASE THEN REPAIR THIS CAR THAT HAS UNREPORTED PROBLEMS THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF. !!!!!!! I AM 63 YEARS OLD WITH BAD BACK ISSUES, MY TOYOTA SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND I AM STUCK AT HOME, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO A BUS STOP!!!!!!!

Mileage: 98,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL, BUT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND A TOW TRUCK SERVICE WAS REQUESTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO HEAD BOLT WAS STRIPPED, COMMON IN TOYOTAS WHY I SEE I HAVE 107XXX MILES IN MY CAR

Mileage: 107,000

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 2.4L CRACKED. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. MY CAMRY ONLY HAD A LITTLE OVER 60,000 MILES WHEN IT HAPPENED. OTHER TOYOTA CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. BRAKE NEED LONG DISTANCE.

Mileage: 168,000

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 2.4L CRACKED. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. MY CAMRY ONLY HAD A LITTLE OVER 60,000 MILES WHEN IT HAPPENED. OTHER TOYOTA CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 61,000

TOOK THE CAR TO GOOD YEAR CHANGE A BUNCH OF PARTS. AFTET THAT TOOK THE CAR TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. ON THE 01/27/2016 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON THE THE VEHICLE. I SENT YOU ARE REPORT LAST WEEK AS WELL. I NEED YOUR INTERVENTION. PLEASE STOP TOYOTA FROM RIPPING CONSUMER OFF. IT NOW STATES THAT THE GAS CAP IS OFF AND OR LOOSE. THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

Mileage: 12,700

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE APPEARED COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET BOLT STRIPPING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS.

Mileage: 140,000

SUDDEN UNINTEND ACCELERATION AT SLOW SPEED--ON DECEMBER 17, 2015, WHEN PULLING SLOWLY INTO A GARAGE AND NEARLY STOPPED, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD RAMING THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE INTERIOR WALL. THIS RESULTED IN "TOTALING THE CAR" AND DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE AND PROPERTY IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS SUDDEN UNINTEND ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITH THIS 2002 CAMRY . IT ALSO OCCURRED ON JANUARY 20, 2010 WITH A DIFFERENT DRIVER (MY WIFE) WHO HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD ABOUT THREE CAR LENGTHS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON JANUARY 30, 2010 (SEENHTSA ID NUMBER 10303355). FOR THE 2010 INCIDENCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHERE REPAIRS WHERE MADE. WHEN WE PICKED UP OUR CAR FROM THE TOYOTA DEALER, WE NOTED THAT NONE OF THE REPAIR ITEMS ON THE INVOICE MENTIONED ACCELERATIONS PROBLEMS. SEVERAL DAYS LATER AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER, HE AGREED TO PERFORM A "COURTESY INSPECTION OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLEY FOR ANY POSSIBLE BINDING STICKING SLOW RETURN OR ABNORMAL PERFORMANCE." NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. IN BOTH INCIDENCES THE SURGES WERE QUICK, UNINTENDED, AND AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS. THE INCIDENCES INVOLVED TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS.

Mileage: 135,000

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE AND VALVE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO POOR DESIGN IN THE HEAD BOLT ATTACHMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TOYOTA REPLACE THE ENGINE BEFORE A FAILURE OCCURRED. TOYOTA DECLINED TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER. *JB

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.

Mileage: 119,900

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! THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED.

Mileage: 112,000

02 CAMRY 2.4L 5 SPD: BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A BAY AREA TOYOTA DEALER 2 YRS AGO, AUG 2013. CAR DID HAVE 36K MILES ON DAY OF PURCHASE AND DOES HAVE 53.5K ON IT WHEN ENGINE ISSUE OCCURRED. USED THE CAR AS A BACK UP OR WEEKEND CAR. WORK CAR IS A 92 CAMRY 4 CYC WITH 279K (ORIGINAL MOTOR). DECIDE TO USE 02 CAMRY FOR WORK AND TEMP GAUGE WENT TO HOT, CHECK COOLANT LEVEL AND IT WAS EMPTY, ALTHOUGH 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE ISSUE, MY CAR'S COOLANT WAS GOOD. ADDED WATER TO COOLING SYSTEM AND NOTICED SEVERE LEAK OF WATER FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. SPOKE TO TWO MECHANICS I USUALLY GO TO AND THEY DID NOT EVEN CHECK THE CAR, THEY ALREADY KNEW THE PROBLEM. DECIDE TO CALL A TOYOTA TECH MECHANIC I KNOW TO CHECK THE CAR, HE HAD INFORMED ME OF STIP HEAD BOLTS, SAME ISSUE THE OTHER TWO MECHANIC HAD MENTION TO ME. DID WENT TO THE DEALER NEXT DAY AND INFORM OF THIS ISSUE, THEY RECOMMEND TIME SERT WHICH COST ABOUT $4500. THEY HAD ALSO TOLD ME TO CALL CUSTOMER CARE, BUT I DOUBT CUSTOMER CARE WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I'VE SEEN PEOPLE POST ONLINE WHO HAD CONTACT CUSTOMER CARE RE: THIS ISSUE AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING. BEEN A DIE HARD TOYOTA GUY, WITH THIS ISSUE, BEEN DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA'S CRAFTSMANSHIP ON THE 2.4L ENGINES.. IN FACT THE TOYOTA TECH I SPOKE TO HAD MENTION THIS IS COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE MODEL AND HAD ALSO INFORMED ME THE NEWER ENGINE MODEL, 2.5L HAS ALSO A DEFECT, PISTON RING ISSUE WHICH DEALER HAD BEEN REPLACING THOSE ENGINE. AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS STRIP HEAD BOLT. I GUESS TOYOTA IS WAITING FOR SOME ONE TO GET HURT FROM THIS ISSUE BEFORE THEY START ACT; SUCH AS CAR STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY DUE TO BLOW HEAD GASKET AND GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER MOTORIST. I WAS JUST LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR TO SAFETY.

Mileage: 53,500

CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS PULLED OUT OF THE BLOCK CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE

Mileage: 93,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO FLUCTUATE AS HOT AIR BLEW INTO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Mileage: 141,000

DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER GASKET REFER TO CHRYSLER VALVE COVER RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 47,000

CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAK, CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS STRIPPED. COOLANT LOST. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXHAUST SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ENGINE PRESSURE WAS EXCESSIVE CAUSING THE ENGINE BOLTS TO SEPARATE AND THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

ENGINE HEAD BOLTS STRIPPED CAUSING ANTIFREEZE LOSS, HEAD HAD TO BE RESURFACED, NEW HEAD GASKET, AND A SPECIAL KIT WAS NEED TO RE-THREAD THE LOOSE BOLTS REPAIRS COST OVER $3000 . WHICH IS BETTER THAN A NEW ENGINE BUT REPAIRS AREN'T GUARANTEED BECAUSE THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. HAD I KNOWN THIS I WOULDN'T HAVE PURCHASED THIS PARTICULAR MAKE OF CAR. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

COOLANT LEAK DUE TO APPARENT STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 108,105

BEGAN NOTICING GURGLING/WATER SLOSHING NOISES AT APPROXIMATELY 100K MILES. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, CAR OVERHEATED. NOTICED COOLANT WAS LOW, SO HAD COOLANT REFILLED. CHECKED OUT BY MECHANIC NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT A STOP-LEAK WOULD FIX PROBLEM. COMPLETED THIS PROCEDURE AT PERSONAL COST. THREE DAYS LATER, CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN. TOOK TO DIFFERENT MECHANIC, AND WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE RADIATOR. REPLACED RADIATOR AT PERSONAL COST. FEW DAYS LATER, CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN. TOOK TO FOUR DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NOTICED COOLANT LEAKS. WAS ADVISED BY ALL FOUR MECHANICS THAT IT WAS BLOWN HEAD GASKET, THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL, THAT REPLACING THE ENGINE WOULD BE SAFEST SOLUTION. ONE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT SIMPLY REPLACING HEAD GASKET MIGHT NOT WORK BECAUSE THE BOLT THREADING IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL WAS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE. CANNOT AFFORD $4000 TO REPLACE ENGINE, ESPECIALLY IF THIS SAME PROBLEM CAN POSSIBLY RECUR. CURRENTLY REFILLING COOLANT EVERY OTHER DAY. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AS THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD BLOT WAS STRIPPED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

THE COOLANT STARTED LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE MOTOR. MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT THE FOAM INSULATION WAS SATURATED WITH COOLANT AND IT WAS LEAKING FROM THERE, BETWEEN THE HEAD AND THE CYLINDER. WHEN I RESEARCHED ABOUT IT ONLINE IN MANY TOYOTA FORUMS, THE COMMON THING THAT I HAVE COME ACROSS IS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD BOLTS STRIPPING AND THE COOLANT LEAKING FROM THAT AREA. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT I EITHER NEED A NEW ENGINE OR DO A FIX THE STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS WITH A HELI-COIL OR A TIME-SERT. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING WITH TOYOTA, THAT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEFECT WITH THERE 5TH GEN 4 CYL 2AZ-FE ENGINES AND ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. THE SOLUTION THAT THEY ARE GIVING IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ONE OF GETTING A NEW ENGINE FOR $5000. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA OR SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE THEM TAKE NOTICE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REPROGRAMMING THE ECU. I DON'T THINK TOYOTA NOTIFIES CURRENT OWNERS OF FREE WORK TO BE DONE THAT IS NOT AN ACTUAL RECALL. INSTEAD THEY WAIT TO SEE WHO FINDS OUT ON THEIR OWN. THE SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 2404 DATED 07-01-04 COVERS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REPROGRAMMING THE ECU TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT MENTIONS THE SMELL OF SULFUR FROM THE EXHAUST AND WAS APPARENTLY THE ONLY REASON MOST PEOPLE HAD IT CHECKED OUT. MY WIFE'S CAR HAS HAD THE SMELL OF SULFUR FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, BUT SINCE WE DON'T MAKE IT A HABIT OF MAKING OUR CAR EXHAUST SMELL PLEASANT WE NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT. NOW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT HER CAR IS OVER THE 8 YEAR, 80,000 MILE LIMIT OF THE TSB. IF WE WERE NOTIFIED OF TOYOTA'S DESIGN ERROR EARLIER AND HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AND THE ECU REPROGRAMMED FOR FREE, WE WOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT A $1000 REPAIR BILL IN OUR FUTURE. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR TOYOTA'S ERROR, WE ALREADY PAID FOR THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING, A COOLANT LEAK, AND MISFIRING, I BROUGHT MY CAMRY TO A CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FORE MENTIONED ISSUES. AFTER CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION, THE TOYOTA REP. TOLD ME I HAD A BAD COIL IN CYLINDER #2, AND FOUND PRESSURE LEAKING INTO #2 AND #3 CYLINDERS. AFTER A FURTHER TEAR DOWN OF THE ENGINE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOOSE HEAD BOLTS IN THESE CYLINDERS, AND THAT THE THREADS ON THE ENGINE FOR THESE BOLTS WAS STRIPPED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO FIX TO THIS PROBLEM AND QUOTED ME A NEW ENGINE WITH 90,000 MILES WITH AN ESTIMATE COST BETWEEN $5000-$6000. FURTHERMORE, I WAS TOLD REPLACING THE COIL AT $227, WOULD FIX THE MISFIRING. HOWEVER THIS DID NOT FIX THE MISFIRING PROBLEM, AS THE MISFIRE WAS DUE BECAUSE OF THE LOOSE HEAD BOLTS WHICH WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL. THIS CONFLICTING INFORMATION LED ME TO BELIEVE IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS LONG AS COOLANT WAS PLENTIFUL IN THE RADIATOR AND OVER FLOW RESERVOIR. HOWEVER, THE OVERHEATING, LEAKING OF COOLANT AND MISFIRING CONTINUES. THE MISFIRING CREATES DANGEROUS RANDOM STALLS. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED RAPIDLY INTO THE RED ZONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SMOKE ALSO EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE TWO HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETECTED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 180,000

HARSH/HARD/DELAYED SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD OR 2ND AND 4TH (OVERDRIVE) ON 1MZ-FE V6 ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILING TO REGULATE TRANSMISSION SOLENOIDS PROPERLY. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED ON THE ECM ON RAV4 (SAME YEAR, 2002) AND RESULTED IN SETTLEMENT IN WHICH TOYOTA AGREED TO REPAIR ALL. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

CYLINDER HEAD BOLT STRIPPED OFF FROM ENGINE BLOCK THREAD AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 144,433

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS EVIDENCED BY ALL THE BLOGS ON THE INTERNET. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO COMPENSATE THE CONSUMER FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 155,317

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PUTTING IN DRIVE, CAR ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH GARAGE DOOR AND BRICK FRAME ON 4/19/13 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:50AM FOR UNKNOWN REASON. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

CAR WAS OVERHEATING AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHY. THE RESERVOIR WAS FULL OF COOLANT SO WE TOOK IT INTO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. WE LEFT THE CAR WITH THE MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT 3 BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE LOOSE (HE COULD EASILY PULL THEM OUT WITH HIS HANDS AND THE THREADING CAME WITH THEM). HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE SO HE LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 109K MILES ON IT. LOOKING ON THIS SITE SHOWS THAT TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE HAD TO BE EITHER REPLACED OR REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

Mileage: 137,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SMOKED WAS EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD DEVELOPED A CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2002 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT METICULOUSLY. THE CAR OVERHEATED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I BOUGHT IT ON 7/9/12. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP ON 7/11/12 FOR EVALUATION OF THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE COOLANT RESULTING IN THE OVERHEATING INCIDENT. THE AUTO SHOP ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS WELL KNOWN, BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR REPAIR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $2200.00 TO $2400.00, IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED. IF IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED, THE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A MUCH HIGHER COST. I WENT ON LINE TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM FROM OTHER 2002 CAMRY OWNERS AROUND THE USA. *TR

Mileage: 81,000

MY 2002 CAMRY HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL AT ABOUT 211,000 MILES WHEN ANTIFREEZE STARTED TO LEAK FROM BACK OF ENGINE. AFTER MECHANIC INSPECTED, HE SAID WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO HEAD GASKET. WHEN HE TRIED TO REMOVE BOLTS WE NOTICED THREE BACK BOLTS WERE LOOSE ALREADY AND THREAD WAS STRIPPED. AFTER HAVING HEAD GASKET CLEANED AND "REPAIRED" THIS REPAIR GUY SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH HEAD ITSELF. ALL HE DID WAS INSPECT, CLEAN, AND SAND IT. HE DID SAY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM HE ENCOUNTERS WITH TOYOTA'S. THE ONLY REPAIR HE SAYS WILL WORK IS TO HAVE ENGINE BLOCK REMOVED AND HE WILL RETHREAD ALL THE HOLES WITH DIFFERENT MATERIAL TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. NONE OF THIS IS A SURE FIX BECAUSE IT COULD STILL FAIL, THE ONLY SURE WAY IS TO BUY A NEW ENGINE, BUT IF TOYOTA MAKES DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS, THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE ALWAYS SWORE BY TOYOTA CARS, THAT IS ALL I HAVE EVER OWNED BUT I WILL NEVER BUY A VEHICLE FROM THEM AGAIN. *JS

Mileage: 211,387

BAD THREADS ON ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE LEAKING COOLANT. MECHANIC DETERMINED HEAD GASKET BAD. TOYOTA CERTIFIED MECHANIC TORE APART ENGINE AND ON REASSEMBLY FOUND THE THREADS ON THE LOWER ENGINE BLOCK WERE STRIPPED AND THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. NEW ENGINE/REBUILD REQUIRED AT $5200. FAILURE CAUSED BY FAULTY THREADS/ENGINE BLOCK AT MANUFACTURING END. SIMPLY DRIVING VEHICLE CAUSES THREADS TO DISINTEGRATE AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 110,000