Toyota Camry 2002–2006
6th generation (XV30)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20264,226 complaints, 3,107 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 3,107
- Median of reported failures
- 47,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Throttle and speed control (27.6%)
- Recalls
- 5
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 15,800 and 89,495 miles.
Figure 1 · Toyota Camry 2002–2006 · 3,107 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 431 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 75 complaints (2.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,700
- 25%
- 15,800
- Median
- 47,000
- 75%
- 89,495
- 90%
- 136,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 431 | 13.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 158 | 5.1% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 154 | 5.0% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 129 | 4.2% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 127 | 4.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 117 | 3.8% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 106 | 3.4% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 132 | 4.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 131 | 4.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 125 | 4.0% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 138 | 4.4% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 92 | 3.0% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 93 | 3.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 78 | 2.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 77 | 2.5% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 86 | 2.8% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 80 | 2.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 80 | 2.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 62 | 2.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 64 | 2.1% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 84 | 2.7% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 41 | 1.3% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 72 | 2.3% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 36 | 1.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 45 | 1.4% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 20 | 0.6% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 27 | 0.9% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 33 | 1.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 33 | 1.1% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 24 | 0.8% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 25 | 0.8% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 31 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 20 | 0.6% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 20 | 0.6% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 7 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 12 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 23 | 0.7% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 13 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 200,000+ | 75 | 2.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,226 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002–2006 Toyota Camry, and 3,107 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 15,800 and 89,495 miles. The median is 47,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are throttle and speed control (27.6% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles), the hydraulic brake circuit (9.4% of complaints, typically around 15,000 miles), the airbag system (8.9% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
5 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2002–2006 Toyota Camry last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2002–2006 Toyota Camry were filed by 47,000 miles and 90% by 136,000 miles — figures drawn from 3,107 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
75 reports (2.4%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Camry reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2002–2006 Camry: the 3-minute check
Generated from 3,107 mileage-tagged complaints, 5 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine on 2002–2006 cars. 2AZ-FE cylinder head bolt threads strip in the aluminum block, causing head gasket leaks and coolant loss; Toyota issued a warranty enhancement and revised the block with larger head bolts.
- Check engine on 2002 cars. Tail end of the 1MZ-FE oil gelling program (engines built through 2002).
- Check airbags on 2002–2006 cars. Takata front airbag inflator propellant degradation; large-scale recall coverage across this generation.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 16,000 and 89,000 miles, with a median of 47,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, throttle and speed control and the hydraulic brake circuit are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The hydraulic brake circuit in particular shows a median failure mileage of 15,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Toyota Camry 2002–2006
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit398 reports15,0004,000–47,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 398 reports, median 15,000 miles, middle half 4,000 to 47,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline263 reports31,0001,500–81,000Transmission and driveline: 263 reports, median 31,000 miles, middle half 1,500 to 81,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control1,166 reports40,00016,000–70,000Throttle and speed control: 1,166 reports, median 40,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 70,000 miles.
- Steering276 reports42,00016,000–76,000Steering: 276 reports, median 42,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 76,000 miles.
- Airbag system375 reports60,00029,000–113,000Airbag system: 375 reports, median 60,000 miles, middle half 29,000 to 113,000 miles.
- Engine and its cooling system300 reports73,00039,000–100,000Engine and its cooling system: 300 reports, median 73,000 miles, middle half 39,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Engine167 reports112,00085,000–147,000Engine: 167 reports, median 112,000 miles, middle half 85,000 to 147,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throttle and speed control | 1,166 | 27.6% | 40,000 | 16,000–70,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 398 | 9.4% | 15,000 | 4,000–47,000 |
| Airbag system | 375 | 8.9% | 60,000 | 29,000–113,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 300 | 7.1% | 73,000 | 39,000–100,000 |
| Steering | 276 | 6.5% | 42,000 | 16,000–76,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 263 | 6.2% | 31,000 | 1,500–81,000 |
| Engine | 167 | 4.0% | 112,000 | 85,000–147,000 |
| Electrical system | 154 | 3.6% | 74,000 | 30,000–104,000 |
| Body structure | 139 | 3.3% | 52,000 | 24,000–110,000 |
| Tyres | 131 | 3.1% | 20,000 | 10,000–42,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Toyota Camry 2002–2006 · 3,107 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 59% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 2.4% of reports (75) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
59% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 15,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 16,000–70,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 29,000–113,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 39,000–100,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 16,000–76,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 1,500–81,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 85,000–147,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
75% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Throttle and speed control — median 40,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 15,000 mi
- Steering — median 42,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 31,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Airbag system — middle half 29,000–113,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 39,000–100,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 85,000–147,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
87% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Throttle and speed control — median 40,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 15,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 60,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — median 73,000 mi
- Steering — median 42,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 31,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 85,000–147,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 47,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 27.6% of complaints (1,166 reports, 895 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 40,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 70,000 miles.
A single system taking 27.6% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 9.4% of complaints (398 reports, 269 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 15,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 4,000 and 47,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 8.9% of complaints (375 reports, 255 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 29,000 and 113,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 7.1% of complaints (300 reports, 223 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 73,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 100,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 6.5% of complaints (276 reports, 221 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 42,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 76,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.2% of complaints (263 reports, 196 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 31,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,500 and 81,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2002 model year drew the most — 1,183 complaints — while 2006 drew the fewest at 393. The median year sits at 905.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 5 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around seats (2), equipment (2), the engine and its cooling system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 4,226 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 1,319 (31.2%)
- Fires
- 76
- Injury reports
- 558
- Fatality reports
- 33
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine 2002–2006
2AZ-FE cylinder head bolt threads strip in the aluminum block, causing head gasket leaks and coolant loss; Toyota issued a warranty enhancement and revised the block with larger head bolts.
Engine 2002
Tail end of the 1MZ-FE oil gelling program (engines built through 2002).
Airbags 2002–2006
Takata front airbag inflator propellant degradation; large-scale recall coverage across this generation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,183 | 766 |
| 2003 | 946 | 677 |
| 2004 | 799 | 644 |
| 2005 | 905 | 721 |
| 2006 | 393 | 299 |
Recalls (5) — is your car included?
Jul 2016 · 2005–2006 · SeatsIf damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
What can happen. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Jan 2015 · 2006 · SeatsDamage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 RAV4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
What can happen. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Dec 2011 · 2004–2005 · Engine and Engine CoolingIn some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in…
The defect. Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 Camry, Camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 Lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate w
What can happen. In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
May 2010 · 2005–2006 · EquipmentA driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
What can happen. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
May 2010 · 2005–2006 · EquipmentThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states Toyota at 713-580-3300.
What owners reported
Brakes(ABS) are mushy and pedal travels so far down i feel it takes a longer time to stop the car. I took it back to the dealer shortly after purchase but was told this was normal with the 2002's Camry. They adjusted the brakes but it made no difference. I took other 2002 Camry's out for a test drive only to find…
2002 · Hydraulic brake circuit
Vehicle shimmies and vibrates from front end at all speeds. Particularly bad between 40-50mph. At high speeds, not as noticeable, but loud wump-wump-wump noise emanates from front end. Brakes pulsate when decelerating, particularly noticeable at speeds from 50-40mph. This has been problem since car was new. Dealer has…
2002 · 5 miles · Suspension
My Camry has pulled to the left since the day purchased. It has been aligned or checked for alignment numerous times. I have been told there is notheing wrong with my car. I have been told all Camry's pull to the left. I have been told i should upgrade. I have been told yes, it does pull to the left, but it is…
2002 · 6 miles · Steering
I took delivery of a 2002 Camry xle on 3/12/03. From the drive home to this date the car has had a significant pull toward the left when driving. This pull is such that even relatively minor changes in road surface result in a worsened pull that requires constant correction by steering toward the right. Approximately…
2002 · 10 miles · Steering
Built from 3,107 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page