2001 vs 2002 Toyota Camry

2001

• Engine oil sludge All years Walk away if found

  What to check: With the engine off, look under the oil filler cap for sludge, and watch the exhaust at start-up for blue smoke. Ask for the oil change records.

  In 2002 Toyota offered cover for sludge damage on 1997–2002 Toyota and Lexus models with the 3.0L V6 or 2.2L four, for eight years from first sale. A 2007 settlement covered Camry fours of 1997–2001 and V6s of 1997–2002, among about 3.5 million vehicles, for eight years and 120 days from purchase, ConsumerAffairs reports. Both have long run out. Samarins, an unofficial source, says to pass on a car that shows any blue smoke, and CarComplaints.com, another, lists a seized engine as the 1999's worst problem.

  Work Truck Online, ConsumerAffairs, Samarins.com, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Knocking from the front struts All years

  What to check: Drive over bumps and listen for knocks from the front, and look at the strut mounts and the anti-roll bar links and bushings.

  Samarins, an unofficial source, says worn front strut mounts were common. An owner commenting under Curbside Classic's 1983 article reports a 1997 whose struts knocked against the body at about 100,000 miles, cured with new struts.

  Samarins.com, owners' reports (unofficial)

2002

• Stripped head bolt threads in the 2.4L All years Walk away if found One source so far

  What to check: Look for coolant loss and for coolant at the back of the engine where the head meets the block, and ask about any overheating or a head bolt thread repair.

  On CarComplaints.com's page for the 2002, a complaints site and an unofficial source, 38 owners report stripped head bolts at an average of 136,050 miles, with coolant leaks and overheating; 18 needed a new engine and 10 had thread inserts fitted.

  Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Engine oil sludge, 2002 V6

  What to check: Look under the oil filler cap for sludge, watch for blue smoke at start-up, and ask for the oil change records.

  Toyota's 2002 support program and the 2007 settlement both covered sludge damage on 2002 Camry V6s. Both have run out.

  Work Truck Online, ConsumerAffairs

2001

• 01V012000 1998–2001

  The accelerator cable housing can deform at the cruise control actuator, and the cable can wear through and break. NHTSA

• 01V072000 2001

  The front subframe may not have been welded properly. NHTSA

2002

• 01V306000 2002

  The passenger front airbag may not deploy fully in a crash. NHTSA

• 01V372000 2002

  The bottom of the driver's airbag cover can tear away when the airbag deploys. NHTSA

• 04V346000 2002–2004

  One or both curtain airbags may be twisted near the inflator. NHTSA

2001

Engines

2.2L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference

Transmissions

Automatic Edmunds

Trims

CE Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

Leather seats Toyota, Edmunds, Theft-deterrent package (1998–2001) Edmunds, Value Package (2001) Edmunds

2002

Engines

2.4L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference

Transmissions

4-speed automatic (2002–2004) Edmunds

Trims

SE Edmunds

2001

• Diamond White Pearl on Lunar Mist Metallic 2GF, 2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Graphite Gray Pearl 1C6, 2000–2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Cashmere Beige Metallic 4M9 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Cashmere Beige Metallic on Lunar Mist Metallic 2HV, 2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Antique Sage Pearl 1B2 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Antique Sage Pearl on Lunar Mist Metallic 2HG, 2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Vintage Red Pearl 3N6, 1999–2001 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Woodland Pearl 6R1, 1999–2001 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Mineral Green Opalescent on Lunar Mist Metallic 2HH, 2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Sailfin Blue Pearl 8N7, 2000–2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)

2002

• Phantom Gray Pearl 1E3 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Desert Sand Mica 4Q2 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Black Walnut Pearl 3P5, 2002–2004 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Salsa Red Pearl 3Q3 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Aspen Green Pearl 6S7 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Catalina Blue Metallic 8Q2, 2002–2004 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Stratosphere Mica 8Q0, 2002–2004 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

2001

• Sought after: 2001 One source so far

  SlashGear lists the 2001 among the five best used Camry years, as a safe, dependable family sedan with a good ride, and tells buyers to check for rust, electrical faults and overheated engines. SlashGear

• Avoid: Cheaper made than the 3rd gen All years Less sought after

  SlashGear finds this one of the least troubled Camrys, with few complaints, investigations and recalls, but says owners don't praise it much and does not recommend one used. To Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, Toyota's savings left it plainer than the 3rd gen in both looks and build. SlashGear, Curbside Classic

2002

• Sought after: 2002, by owner ratings One source so far

  SlashGear's best-years list includes the 2002, for owner ratings at Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book and Cars.com, its room and comfort, fuel economy and low repair costs. SlashGear

• Avoid: 2002 Less sought after

  SlashGear names the 2002 as the 5th gen year to avoid, with over 1,000 complaints and a warning badge from CarComplaints.com. CarComplaints.com's top problems for it are transmission failure, stripped head bolts and overheating. SlashGear, owners' reports (unofficial)