2002 Toyota CamryRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP ACCELERATING WHILE TURNING, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT WAS NOT COMPLETED BY THE OFFICER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPORT WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE WITHIN TEN DAYS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN ARMS, A FRACTURE TO THE SECOND AND FIFTH RIBS, A DISLOCATED WRIST (SIDE UNKNOWN), A BROKEN RIGHT ANKLE, AND BRUISES TO THE RIGHT LEG. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED IN THE FORM OF SURGERY (BONE RESET). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE NEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.”

“WHILE DRIVING MY 2002, (75,000 MILES) BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AS NORMAL. IT WAS NECESSARY TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ABOUT 15 MINS LATER I NOTICED THE "BRAKE" DISPLAY LIT. I CALLED ARLINGTON TOYOTA WHERE I HAVE BEEN A CUSTOMER FOR 20 YEARS AND ADVISED OF THEM OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT, BUT DECIDED TO CAUTIOUSLY DRIVE TO THE DEALER AFTER # CALLS. I LEARNED THAT BOTH MY BRAKE LINE AND FUEL LINES HAD RUSTED AND WERE LEAKING FLUID. I COMMENTED THAT I HAD MY CAR IN FOR BRAKE WORK MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR +. I SPOKE TO MY REGULAR ATTENDANT AT LEAST 4 TIMES ABOUT THE BRAKES. I HAD BRAKE WORK DONE, GLAZING AND OTHER TYPES OR BRAKE WORK. LONG STORY, AFTER MUCH SHOPPING AROUND, DECISION MAKING, . THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS ASSIGNED TO DEAL WITH ME. ORIGINALLY $2100, THEN HE TONY NITTY BROUGHT IT TO $1600. FINALLY OFFERED PAYING $1,000 SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT LONG BEFORE MY BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AS IT HAD BEEN IN SEVERAL TIME OVER THE PAST 2+ YEARS FOR BRAKES. I REJECTED THE OFFER AS TONY HAD TOLD ME HE WAS GOING TO GET TOYOTA TO PICK UP THE ENTIRE $1600. I REJECTED THE OFFER AND HE WAS TO GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT AND TO…”

“2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS SERVICE BULLETIN. *SMD THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER, AFTER THE DAMAGE AND THE EXTENSIVE RE-BUILD OF THE ENGINE, OTHER PARTS WOULD BEGAN TO FAIL. *JB”