2002 Toyota Camry XV30

Overview

Engines

2.4L four-cylinder, 3.0L V6

Walk away if you find

Stripped head bolt threads in the 2.4L

On record

2 warnings, 3 recalls

What changed for 2002

• New model, larger, in LE, SE and XLE trim, with a 157 hp 2.4L four and a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual, or a 192 hp 3.0L V6. Edmunds

Compare 2002 with 2001

Colors

• Black Walnut Pearl3P5, 2002–2004
• Catalina Blue Metallic8Q2, 2002–2004
• Stratosphere Mica8Q0, 2002–2004
• Super White040
• Lunar Mist Metallic1C8

Sources: Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Interiors in the generation, years not known: Dark Charcoal Edmunds, Taupe (Cloth) Edmunds, Stone (Cloth) Edmunds, Fawn (Cloth) Edmunds, Taupe (Leather) Edmunds, Stone (Leather) Edmunds

Specs

Engines

• 2.4L four-cylinder 2AZ-FE engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  157 hp

• 3.0L V6 1MZ-FE engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  192 hp, 210 hp from 2004

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual Edmunds, a published reference
• 4-speed automatic (2002–2004) Edmunds

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Trims

• LE Edmunds
• SE Edmunds
• XLE Edmunds

Figures for the whole 5th gen

• Model codes: ACV30 (2.4L), MCV30 (3.0L V6) and MCV31 (3.3L V6) A published reference
• Platform: Toyota's K platform, first used on the 2001 Highlander A published reference
• Development: 26 months, against 36 for the 4th gen A published reference
• Released: September 2001, as a 2002 model A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one. Walk-away faults come first.

• Stripped head bolt threads in the 2.4L All years

  Walk away if found One source so far

  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

  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

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2002–2004 Recall 04V346000

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

• 2002 Recall 01V372000

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

• 2002 Recall 01V306000

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

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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)

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.