5th gen Toyota Camry 2002–2006 XV30

Overview

Engines

2.4L four-cylinder, 3.0L V6, 3.3L V6

Walk away if you find

Stripped head bolt threads in the 2.4L

On record

2 warnings, 6 recalls

The story

Released in September 2001 as a 2002 model, it was the first Camry designed from the ground up since the first, and the first sold only as a sedan: the wagon had lost its buyers to minivans and crossovers. A published reference

Built on the K platform of the 2001 Highlander, and with more work done by computer, it took 26 months to develop where the 4th gen took 36, and Toyota claimed it cost 30 percent less to design. A published reference

Rare and special

• Crystal White

Colors

• Crystal White Rare062, 2004
• Mineral Green Opal6R6, 2005–2006
• Sky Blue Pearl8S4, 2005–2006
• Indigo Ink Pearl8P4, 2005–2006
• Black Walnut Pearl3P5, 2002–2004

Interiors

• Dark Charcoalyears not known
• TaupeCloth, years not known
• StoneCloth, years not known
• FawnCloth, years not known
• TaupeLeather, years not known
• StoneLeather, years not known

Sources: Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Rare colors and interiors

• Rare

  Crystal White Color

  One year, on the Limited Edition Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

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

• 3.3L V6 3MZ-FE engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  225 hp, SE V6 only · 2004–2006

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual Edmunds, a published reference
• 4-speed automatic (2002–2004) Edmunds
• 5-speed automatic (2004–2006) Edmunds

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Trims

• Standard (2005–2006) Edmunds
• LE Edmunds
• SE Edmunds
• XLE Edmunds

Packages

• Limited Edition (2004) Edmunds
• Power-adjustable pedals (2003–2006) Edmunds
• Navigation (2006) Edmunds

Figures

• 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

Years and what changed

1. 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

2. 2003

   Power-adjustable pedals become available. Edmunds

3. 2004

   A 225 hp 3.3L V6 for the SE V6, the 3.0L rises to 210 hp, and the V6s get a 5-speed automatic. A Limited Edition in Crystal White, with its own grille, fog lights and champagne badges. Edmunds

4. 2005
   Refresh

   Freshened grille, headlamps, taillamps and wheels. A Standard model joins, anti-lock brakes and a 5-speed automatic become standard on every car, with Optitron gauges, steering wheel audio controls and leather on the XLE V6. Edmunds

5. 2006

   Navigation as a stand-alone option on the SE V6. Power ratings fall under a new SAE test. Edmunds

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.

• 2004–2005 Recall 11V539000

  The crankshaft pulley may lack adhesive, so its outer ring can slip, causing noise or a battery warning light. NHTSA

• 2006 Recall 05V539000

  The tire and loading placard gives the wrong spare tire size. NHTSA

• 2004–2005 Recall 04V595000

  Fitting some rear-facing infant seat bases with a very tight belt can unseat the buckle's status switch. 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.