2000 Toyota Camry

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 530 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 530

Of the 2000 reports, 120 involved a crash and 28 involved a fire. 94 people were injured and 4 people died.

Primary concernVehicle speed control113 reports · 21% of complaints
Owner complaints530Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Vehicle speed control113
  2. Service brakes72
  3. Hydraulic68
  4. Engine and engine cooling66
  5. Air bags64
  6. Power train39
  7. Electrical system35
  8. Tires34

Recalls and investigations

  1. Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009

    DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

    Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

    CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

    Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Vehicle speed controlJan 16, 2001

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND V6 ENGINES, AND BUILT AT ONE OF TWO LINES AT THE KENTUCKY PLANT. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING COULD BE DEFORMED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR-TO-THROTTLE BODY CONNECTION. THE ACCELERATOR INNER-CABLE COULD WEAR AWAY AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.

    THIS COULD ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE OR REMAIN IN ITS MOST RECENT POSITION REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

    Campaign 01V012000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Suspension, rearJun 5, 2000

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.

    AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS COULD FAIL OR BREAK.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES.

    Campaign 00V154000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: service brakes

72 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 16, 2004

    POWER BRAKE ASSIST UNIT FAILED AT 27,400 MILES. ADVISED A NUMBER OF THESE UNITS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED FOR REPLACEMENT. CONTACTED TOYOTO AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER. HAD THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, I AM CERTAIN TOYOTO WOULD TAKE A DIFFERENT POSITION. *JB

  2. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 12, 2004

    WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND MECHANICS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *AK

  3. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Feb 11, 2004, fire

    CONSUMER FELT SOMETHING SHOOT THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE AND OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THEN, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER HAS TO USE HAND BRAKE TO STOP. DRIVER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

  4. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2003

    AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, INCLUDING EVERY FALL, THE BRAKES ON MY 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY START TO FAIL. THERE IS A WHOOSHING SOUND (AIR ESCAPING SOME ENCLOSURE) WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES, WHICH HAVE MUCH MORE TRAVEL THAN USUAL WITHOUT ANY STOPPING POWER. WHEN I FINALLY GET SOME STOPPING POWER, THE BRAKES GRAB. IT IS NOT THE NORMAL SMOOTH BRAKING I USUALLY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR. THERE IS ALSO SOMETIMES A SQUEEKING - A VERY HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE. AGAIN, THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN AIR MOVEMENT EVENT; IT'S DEFINITELY NOT A METAL-ON-METAL SQUEEK OR A RUBBER-ON-METAL SQUEEK. THE SOUNDS ARE INSIDE THE CAR, NOT FROM ANY OF THE WHEELS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOTED AT ALL SPEEDS, EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS ALWAYS WELL ABOVE MINIMUM, OCCASIONALLY TOPPING OFF THE BRAKE FLUID TO THE MAX "FULL" LEVEL HELPS, BUT NOT THIS TIME. THREE TIMES I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER (BEAMAN TOYOTA IN NASHVILLE, TN) FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR WHEN THIS PROBLEM CROPS UP (9/01, 10/02, 9/03), BUT TO NO AVAIL. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT BEING TOLD, "NOTHING'S WRONG," WHEN VERY CLEARLY SOMETHING IS WRONG.*AK

  5. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 27, 2003

    LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, PEDAL TRAVELS TO FLOOR, SPONGY BRAKES. PEDAL CLEARANCE IS 0. INCHES (MINIMUM 2.8 INCHES AT 100 LBF WITH ENGINE ON).RAKES LESS EFFECTIVE IN HOTTER WEATHER. MANY CLOSE CALLS IN STOPPING BEFORE HITTING SOMEONE. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE! TOOK VEHICLE IN 5 TIMES TO DEALERSHIP, CALLED TOYOTA HOTLINE, NO FIX YET THEY ARE STUMPPED! TRIED CLEANING, ADJUSTING, BLEEDING AND MASTER CYLINDER.*AK

  6. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Aug 11, 2003, crash

    WHILE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH AT 11PM AND RAINING NIGHT APPLIED BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

  7. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 8, 2003

    WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

  8. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 20, 2003

    CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

  9. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 4, 2003

    WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE (PRESSING GAS PEDAL), VEHICLE WILL NOT SPEED UP FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, AND THEN IT ABRUPTLY LUNGES FORWARD AT AN INCREASED SPEED, POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY STARTING WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS OF BUYING THE CAR. THIS IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNING WHEN DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY RAMP. THUS I HAVE BEEN AVOIDING DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. ALSO, THE BRAKES WORK ABNORMALLY. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, JERKINESS, AND BRAKE SENSITIVITY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WITHIN 5 DAYS OF PURCHASE AND SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED IT 4 MORE TIMES. THEY ONLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND RESURFACED THEM. OTHERWISE, THEY DENY THERE IS ANY OTHER PROBLEM. THEY BLAMED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM ON THE A/C BEING TURNED ON. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS REGARDLESS TO WHETHER THE ACCESSORIES ARE TURNED ON OR OFF OR HOW HIGH THEY ARE TURNED ON. *NLM

  10. Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 28, 2003, crash

    HAD A FRONT COLLISION. DUE TO A FAULTY ABS SYSTEM, APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TOOK LONGER TO STOP. *TT

  11. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 4, 2003

    THE VEHICLE'S ANTI SKID SYSTEM DID NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING ON SNOW OR WET ROADS. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD DISCONNECT THE ANTI SKID SYSTEM. *NLM

  12. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2002

    WHILE EXITING FREEWAY REAR BRAKES FAILED. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE REAR BARRINGS WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

  13. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 18, 2002

    CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THAT RECALL WAS FIXED AND NOW FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS THE ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHT IS ON THE PANEL. TS

  14. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 7, 2002

    CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE ON A STEEP INCLINE AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN CONSUMER RELEASED THE BRAKE, THERE WAS A LOUD THUMP AT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROX. ONE MILE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE PURCHASED, AND AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THEY INDICATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES HEATED UP SLIGHTLY WARPING THE BRAKE DRUM. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT SOME INHERENT DEFECT COULD CAUSE THE BRAKES TO OVER HEAT AGAIN. *JG

  15. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 28, 2002

    WHILE TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES AND WITH NO WARNING BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

  16. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 21, 2002

    ON THE MORNING AUGUST 5, 2002 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON I 270 FROM MY HOME IN FREDERICK MARYLAND TO MY PLACE OF WORK IN GAITHERSBURG MARYLAND WHEN I LOST MOST OF MY BRAKES I IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND SLOWLY DROVE TO THE FITZGERALD TOYOTA WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR FOR REPAIR, THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE OF $1128.71 AND MY CAR IS NOT 3 YEAR OLD. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CONSUMER CARE NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE. MY QUESTION IS HAS ANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNER HAVE REPORTED THE SAME INCIDENT, AND SHALL I BE CONCERNED THAT THIS MALFUNCTION WILL HAPPEN AGAIN?

  17. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 20, 2002

    REPEATED BRAKE FAILURE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. *AK

  18. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 21, 2002

    WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONSUMER BUMPED THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT. THE DEALER FOUND OUT THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED AND THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK. *YH

  19. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 22, 2002

    WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OR MORE, IT CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR ASSOCIATED WITH GRINDING NOISE, CAUSING A DELAY IN STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER FOUND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT NO COST. *AK *TT

  20. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 30, 2002

    CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD.*AK *SLC

  21. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 21, 2001

    THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON REPEATEDLY BEFORE I HAD DRIVEN 10,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME, TOYOTA REPLACED THE PADS AND TURNED THE ROTORS AT NO CHARGE. 7,000 MILES LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO "REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR." I HAD TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS TO THE TUNE OF $278.00. IN VISITING YOUR SITE, I SEE THAT OTHER DRIVERS OF THE 2000 CAMRY'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR BRAKES. I HAVE OWNED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TOYOTAS IN MY LIFETIME AND NEVER ONCE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES THAT SEEMED UNUSUAL. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS, AND TO BE TOLD THAT THIS IS "REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR" STRIKES ME AS ODD. DUE TO THIS ONE PROBLEM, I HAVE DECIDED TO NEVER OWN ANOTHER TOYOTA. IF TOYOTA DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, WHY SHOULD I?*AK

  22. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 2, 2001

    BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY 8000 MILES. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, LIKE METAL RUBBING AGAINST METAL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED PADS UNDER WARRANTY TWICE, BUT THIRD TIME DEALER DID NOT REPLACE PADS BECAUSE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *AK

  23. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 22, 2001

    LEFT FRONT ROTOR WARPED AT 20,000 REPLACED, RIGHT FRONT WARPED AT 12,000 REPLACED BEFOR BRAKES. *AK

  24. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 9, 2001

    AS THE TIME APPROACHED FOR OUR SECOND ROUTINE OIL CHANGE (ROUGHLY 6000 MILES), OUR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AND OFF. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (KEITH MURRAY) AND REPORTED IT. THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDED BRAKE FLUID, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID AS THEY DID THE OIL CHANGE. THIS HAPPENED NEAR THE 9000 MILE MARK AS WELL, AND THEY AGAIN ONLY REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID., THIS TIME, WE INSISTED THAT THEY CHECK THE BRAKES BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT A NEW VEHICLE SHOULD NOT REQUIRE BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT SO OFTEN. THE MILEAGE ON OUR CAMRY IS NOW 13, 836. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT OUR CAR WAS INDEED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, AND THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER NEED REPLACING. ACCORDING TO THE WORK ORDER DATED 10/9/01, THE FOLLOWING WORK WAS DONE: "REPLACED FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE CALIPER." IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. IF WE HAD NOT PERSISTED, OUR BRAKES MAY HAVE FAILED. AGAIN, THE ONLY WARNING WE HAD WAS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING, ALWAYS OCCURING NEAR TIME FOR THE NEXT OIL CHANGE (EVERY 3000 MILES). *AK

  25. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 31, 2001

    BRAKE PADS/ ROTORS AND CALIPERS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT, CAUSING POOR BRAKING ABILITY. BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK