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

530 reports, newest first.

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2004

    COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 21,000 MILES. MAIN BEARINGS, CROSS-HATCHING GONE FROM CYCLINDERS WALLS, WATER PUMP LEAKING. *JB

  2. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 16, 2004

    HEAD GASKET, LOSES IN CAMSHAFT. *AK

  3. Visibility, Apr 16, 2004

    I PURCHASED A 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY IN JANUARY OF 2001. IN JUNE 2002 THE REAR WINDOWS WOULD ROLL DOWN, BUT FAILED TO ROLL UP. AFTER 30 MINUTES OR MORE THE WINDOW WOULD COME UP SLIGHTLY WHEN THE SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. AFTER ANOTHER 30 MINUTES OR MORE IT WOULD COME UP A LITTLE MORE. THIS PATTERN HAD TO BE CONTINUED UNTIL THE WINDOW WAS FINALLY UP. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE DEALER AND HE STATED THAT SINCE I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING HE WOULD DO. I COULD BUY A NEW MOTOR FOR $400 TO $500 EACH WINDOW. WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR THE WINDOW GET ACTIVATED OFFEN AND THE VEHICLE ALSO GET RAIN INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE THE WINDOW COULD NOT BE RAISED. I BELIEVE AFTER ONLY 18 MONTHS OF OWNER SHIP I SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPECT THE WINDOWS TO OPERATE PROPERLY.*AK

  4. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 8, 2004, crash

    CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, PRESSED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, NOR WAS THERE A POLICE REPORT. *AK *MR

  5. Vehicle speed control, Apr 8, 2004, crash

    WHEN APPROACHING A PARKING SPACE, THE DRIVER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A STORE WINDOW. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. *AK *JB THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REPLIED BY SAYING THAT THE INCIDENT WAS NOT THE RESULT OF ANY TYPE OF MANUFACTURER DESIGN OR DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WANTS TO CLOSE THE CASE. *NM

  6. Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

  7. Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2004

    WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *AK PROBLEMS WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *MR

  8. Tires, Mar 23, 2004

    A ROAD HAZARD DESTROYED A FRONT TIRE AT APPROX 20, 000 MILES. I REPLACED IT AND HAD NEW SPARE PLACED ON OTHER FRONT WHEEL. REAR TIRES NEEDED REPLACING AT 47,000 MILES AND I REQUESTED COSTCO TIRE CENTER, SUNNYVALE, CA, TO PLACE NEW TIRES ON FRONT AND ROTATE PRESENT FRONTS TO REAR WHEELS. CLERK REFUSED STATING THAT COSTCO POLICY IS TO REFUSE TO INSTALL NEW TIRES AND MOUNT ON FRONT WHEELS ONLY. REASON WAS BASED ON A STUDY FROM MICHELIN TIRE COMPANY. I REQUESTED AND WAS SHOWN COSTCO EMPLOYEE MANUAL WITH THAT DIRECTION. STUDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. COSTCO EMPLOYEE DIRECTIONS ARE THAT IF CUSTOMER INSISTS ON NEWER TIRES ON FRONT WHEELS, THE EMPLOYEE IS NOT TO SELL THE TIRES TO THE CUSTOMER. I WAS REPLACING MICHELIN TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES. COSTCO SELL OTHER BRANDS, BUT THIS WAS APPARENTLY A RULE FOR ALL. I CONTACTED MICHELIN ON THEIR WEBSITE REQUESTING AVAILABILITY OF READING THE SUBJECT STUDY. NO RESPONSE IN 8 DAYS. I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD AND FOLLOWED THE RULE THAT BEST TIRES BELONG ON FRONT WHEELS FOR SAFETY REASONS. I HAVE USED MICHELIN TIRES FOR YEARS BUT HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS CONDITION OF SALE. HAS MICHELIN PLACED ME AND FAMILY IN AN UNSAFE POSITION WITH THIS UNAVAILABLE STUDY? WOULD APPRECIATE NHTSA ASSISTENCE IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER. *AK

  9. 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

  10. Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2004

    A PLASTIC DUCT-TYPE OF DEVICE FELL FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AND LODGED BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL PREVENTING BRAKING WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE ITEM APPEARS TO BE A HEATING DUCT PART AND HAS NUMBERS PP-T20, 785-US AND 784-US STAMPED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS OF THE TWO-PART ITEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT, IF I HAD NOT HAD QUICK WITS.*AK

  11. 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

  12. Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING UP HILL FROM A STOP THROTTLE STUCK, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO DECELERATE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR

  13. Power train, Mar 9, 2004

    2000 TOYOTA CAMRY REVERSE IN AUTOMATIC TRANMISSON WENT OUT. PROBLEM SPOT WELDS WHERE GEAR CONNECTED TO SHAFT BROKE AND GEAR COULD NOT TURN. CAR HAS ONLY 96000 MILES ON IT AND THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCURS . I SPENT $1600 GETTING THE TRANSMISSON REBUILD BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TOYOTA WANTED $3700.

  14. Vehicle speed control, Feb 19, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MPH THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM AND DETERMINED IT WAS NORMAL. *AK *JB

  15. Vehicle speed control, Feb 19, 2004

    THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *AK RECALL#01V012000 *SC

  16. 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

  17. Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jan 15, 2004

    MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING ON THE ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE, HE THOUGHT HE BLEW A TIRE. WHEN HE CHECKED, THE SHORT BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THE CYLINDER HAD GONE THROUGH THE BLOCK. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING: NO OIL LIGHT, NO OVERHEATING, NO ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE, OIL WAS FULL WHEN CHECKED TWO WEEKS PRIOR. TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY TOTAL REPAIR COSTS DUE TO THE FACT WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE OF TWO OIL CHANGES IN 15 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP/24,000 MILES. WE BOUGHT THE CAR AT 21.5K MILES, DEALER CHANGED OIL AT 31K MILES IN DEC 02, ONE OIL RECEIPT I COULD FIND WAS DATED JUNE '03, CAR WAS DUE FOR ANOTHER CHANGE. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE ENGINE TODAY AND RECEIVED A REQUESTED OIL SAMPLE. THE PICTURES SHOW SLUDGE ON THE PISTONS, A CRACKED PISTON AND A SEVERELY CRACKED SHORT BLOCK. MECHANIC SAYS ONE OF THE RODS IS BENT, ALSO. I COULD NOT SEE ANY DEFORMITY IN THE RODS, BUT HAVE A PICTURE OF ALL FOUR RODS.

  18. Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004

    ENGINE OIL HAS A TENDANCY TO GET MILKY AFTER 2,000 MILES FROM PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE. STEPS TAKEN TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM WERE AS FOLLOWS: 1. OIL CHANGES TO SEMI SYNTHETIC OR ALL SYNTHETIC OIL. 2. CHANGE OIL & FILTER AT 2,000 MILE INTERVALS AT SUSTAINED TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING. 3. DRIVING HABITS TO AVOID A SERIES OF SHORT TRIPS, BY SCHUDLING 30-45 MINUTE HIGHWAY RUN WEEKLY. ( WHEN EVER POSSIBLE) I WAS ALARMED BY THE RE-OCCURING LOOK OF THE OIL AND THE DIRTY CONDITION UNDER THE OIL FILLER CAP ( ENGINE NOT HOT ENOUGH, LONG ENOUGH?) . I TOOK ADDITION TIME TO CLEAN UP THE DIRTY APPEARENCE AND CHANGE THE OIL EARLIER THAN 2,000 UNTIL THE CONDITION NORMALIZED. EXTENDED RUNS ON THE HIGHWAY ALSO HELPED THE CONDITION OF THE OIL OVER THE 2,000 MILE INTERVAL. ESPECIALLY WITH THE HARSH 2002/2003 WINTER IN THE NORTHEAST US.

  19. Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004

    MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MY 2000 TOYOTA CAMERA WITH 52000 MILES. WENT TO MONTROSE TOYOTA TO HAVE CHECKED OUT. CODE PO441 INDICATED VAPOR PRESSURE SENSOR FOR EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS INOPERATIVE. CANISTER FAILING. COST OF REPAIR AROUND $500. THE ONLY CAUSE THE DEALER KNOWS OF FOR THIS FAILURE IS OVER FILLING THE GAS TANK AFTER IT SHUTS OFF. I DO NOT OVER FILL MY TANK. THIS IS A CHARCOAL CANISTER THAT TAKES IN GASOLINE VAPORS. OVER FILLING THE TANK WILL CAUSE THE CHARCOAL IN THE CANISTER TO START BREAKING UP. I WAS TOLD THIS IS AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM AND THESE DEFECTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR UP TO 100000 MILES. *CB

  20. Electrical system, Dec 10, 2003

    THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN 30 DAYS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THIS FAILURE MAY BE THE RESULT OF THE ALTERNATOR NOT BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AN "OFF" SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *PH

  21. Tires, Nov 29, 2003

    RE: DUNLOP SP SPORT 4000 TIRES, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY PURCHASED NOV 1999. HE FINAL DIGITS OF THE DOT NUMBER ON ALL THE TIRES IS: 369. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THESE DIGITS ARE SUPPOSED TO INDICATE THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. BUT SURELY THAT DATE CANNOT BE THE 3RD WEEK OF 1969! SO MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE TIRES DO NOT ACCURATELY INDICATE THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE.*AK

  22. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 26, 2003

    2000 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 33,000 MILES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SAID IT WAS CODES PO440 PO441 AND PO446. THEY SAID I NEED A NEW "CANISTER AND CONTROL VALVE" AND IT WILL COST $600. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS SOME KIND OF CHARCOAL FILED CANISTER THAT DEALS WITH EMISSIONS. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS IS A NON ESSENTIAL PART. IT WOULD ALSO SEEM THAT THIS WOULD HAVE FEW, IF ANY, MOVABLE PARTS AND SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS HAD TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND COULD NOT BE RELATED TO USE OF THE CAR OR THE DRIVER. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS PART AND REPLACE IT ON A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES. *LA

  23. Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2003

    DEFECTIVE PAINT JOB. I BEGAN COMPLAINING RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT LARGE SPOTS WERE THE CLEAR COAT HAS PEELED OFF, THEN THE PAINT, THEN THE BODY RUSTED THAT THESE WERE ROCK CHIPS, THEN THEY WERE CAUSED BY ACID RAIN. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM ON SOME SPOTS ONCE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND GET WORSE. THE DISTRICT MANAGER WAS SUPPOSE TO CALL ME WHEN HE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP NEXT. THAT WAS ALMOST A YEAR AGO. I AM TO DISCUSSED WITH THEM TO EVEN GO IN AGAIN. *LA

  24. Structure, Nov 10, 2003

    THE HOOD'S HYDRAULIC SHOCKS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. AS A RESULT, THEY FAILED TO HOLD THE HOOD OPEN. *AK

  25. Power train, Oct 27, 2003

    MANUAL TRANSMISSION WORKS ABNORMALLY FROM THE SECOND GEAR TO THE FOURTH GEAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. DEALER STATED, MECHANIC DROVE VEHICLE, AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION. *AK