The 2002 Toyota Camry has 7 recalls, the most serious being a risk of fire from aftermarket seat heaters where a damaged copper heating element can short circuit and ignite.
Several recalls address airbag performance. The curtain airbags along the roofline on certain vehicles may be twisted near the inflator, which can slow deployment during a side impact and leave occupants without adequate head protection. On the frontal airbag side, the front passenger airbag on some vehicles may not fully inflate in a crash, and on vehicles with a three-spoke steering wheel, the driver's airbag module cover can tear away at its lower seam during deployment, sending a piece of hard plastic toward the driver. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the driver's airbag cover issue, which is why it appears in more than one filing.
There is also a tire concern affecting vehicles that received replacement tires installed at the port in Jacksonville, Florida, during a wheel upgrade. Those vehicles may have been fitted with Continental Touring tires rated P205-65R15 92S, which carry a lower speed rating than the vehicle requires. Pushing the car past roughly 112 mph risks tire failure, though the concern applies only to vehicles that went through that specific port process and received those particular replacement tires.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical wiring in aftermarket seat heaters with copper strand heating elements can be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed, potentially causing electrical issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will disconnect the seat heaters at no charge and refund the purchase price of the accessory.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
One or both curtain shield air bags may be twisted near the inflator due to improper assembly during manufacturing.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the curtain air bags and replace the assembly if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The curtain airbag may be twisted near the inflator during assembly, causing incomplete inflation in a crash because gas doesn't flow properly into the bag.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your curtain airbag and replace it if twisted or damaged.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bottom seam of the driver's side airbag cover may tear during airbag deployment, causing the bottom portion of the cover to detach completely.
What the fix does
The driver's side airbag module will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front driver's side airbag cover can tear at the bottom seam during airbag deployment, allowing the bottom portion to detach and potentially strike the driver.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's side airbag module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Continental Touring tires (P205-65R15 92S) were incorrectly installed on vehicles at Jacksonville port after damage occurred during an aluminum wheel upgrade.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all five tires at no cost. Contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859 if remedy is not completed within a reasonable time.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger side air bag may not fully deploy during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers replace the front passenger side air bag assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
