Problems · by component
2002 Toyota Camry electrical system problems
38 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Camry cite electrical system, 4% of all 1,039 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
38
4% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2002 Toyota Camry. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 283,000.”
“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 electrical/switch inside the passenger side door caught on fire, with out warning, while driving. There was a passenger in the vehicle at the time. Driver pulled over when smoke was visible. Flames were soon visible, driver poured water on the flames in effort to extinguish the fire. Flames were reduced but the door began to melt and the window shattered. Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after calling 911. State police, fire, and ambulance arrived shortly after. Thankfully there were no injuries. The insurance was also called and a claim was filed. An adjuster was assigned to the claim to inspect the cause of the fire. After reading numerous reports of the same incident it sounds like this is a known issue that Toyota has not taken responsibility for. Serious injury could have occurred to the driver and passenger if quick action was not taken.”
“EVERY TIME I TRIED TO USE THE AC AIR CONDITIONER IN THE CAR IT MAKES THE CAR SHUT OFF IF I USE THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER OUTLET TO CHARGE UP MY CELL PHONE IT DRAIN THE BATTERY AND THAT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT OFF ALSO MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENS BY ITSELF EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING IT WILL UNLOCK AND OPEN ON ITS OWN”
“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…”
“VEHICLE IS A CONVERTIBLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHENEVER THE CAR IS RUNNING. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION. MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM FOR SAME MAKE/MODE/YEAR. WHERE COLLISIONS HAVE OCCURRED WITH VEHICLES DISPLAYING THIS CONDITION, AIR BAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY.”
Showing 6 of 38 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.