2001 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 330 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 88 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 71 people were injured and 6 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
Structure, frame and membersMar 5, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 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 01V072000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Representative owner complaints
330 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2002, crash
ON THURSDAY, MAY 9TH, 2002 I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE JEWEL STORE AT 40TH STREET AND HARLEM AVE. IN STICKNEY, IL. MY SPEED AT THAT TIME WAS 1 OR 2 MPH. ABOUT 3 OR 4 FEET FROM WHERE I WAS TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP - THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD "REVVING" NOISE AND LURCHED FORWARD - UP OVER A CURB, UP A GRASSY EMBANKMENT, KNOCKED DOWN TWO PINE TREES AND SIDESWIPED A 6' WOODEN FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS ALL THIS WAS HAPPENING, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL STOPPED BY THE FENCE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 13, 2002
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A SUDDEN STOP, PEDAL IS NORMAL; HOWEVER, THERE IS AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK CONSUMER FEELS THE PROBLEM MAY BE DUE TO AN IMPROPER FRICTION MATERIAL, ALSO STATES THAT POSSIBLY THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON DISPLACEMENT HAS BEEN MISCALCULATED. *SLC
Suspension, Jun 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE SEVERELY AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 3, 2002
LARGE AMOUNTS OF CO ARE ENTERING INSIDE THE CAR, MY WIFE HAS PASSED OUT OVER A DOZEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. WE USED A CO DETECTOR AND IT REGISTERD OVER 999PPM. I FEAR THAT THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM THAT GOES UNDETECTED. MY WIFE HAD AN EEG, EKG AND AN ELECTRO CARDIOGRAM PERFORMED, ALL TESTS CAME BACK NORMAL. WE FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT SHE WOULD ONLY PASS OUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAMRY AND THIS IS WHAT PUSHED US TO TEST THE CO LEVELS. I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND HOPE THAT THIS MAY HELP OTHERS THAT MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS WITH THIS CAR OR OTHER CARS. NO SAFETY DEFECTS MENTIONED. *AK
Seats, May 1, 2002, crash
ON DECEMBER 3RD 2001, I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A CROWN VICTORIA DOING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH AS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED TO TURN AND THE DRIVER WHO HIT ME HAD FALLEN ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS VERY MINIMAL, THE BUMPER AND TRUNK HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON IMPACT OF BEING HIT THE RECLINING PART OF MY SEAT BROKE AND EVEN THOUGH I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT IT THREW ME INTO MY 3 YEAR OLD SON'S CAR SEAT THAT WAS POSITIONED DIRECTLY BEHIND ME (THANKFULLY HE WAS NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME). MY INSURANCE COMPANY (AS WELL AS MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND) COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE SEAT WOULD BREAK SO EASILY SO WE ASKED FOR TOYOTA TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THAT BOTH STEEL RODS ON THE SEAT HAD BROKEN BUT COULD NOT TELL US WHY THEY BROKE, THEY HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE SEAT AND NOW THE NEW SEAT HAS A DEFECT ALSO. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF DEFECT WOULD CAUSE 2 STEEL RODS TO SNAP WITH SUCH LITTLE DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR AND WHY AM I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW SEAT? AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT I WAS 28 WEEKS PREGNANT AND I THANK GOD THAT THE BABY WAS OKAY, HOWEVER I AM NOW SUFFERING NECK ,SHOULDER AND ARM PAIN AND I AM TERRIFIED TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR, I FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS FOR ANY OF THEM TO SIT DIRECTLY BEHIND ME BUT WITH 3 CHILDREN I HAVE NO CHOICE!. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I CAN SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THEIR SEAT BROKEN ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 28, 2002
UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND IT DRAGS. DEALER STATES THAT A PART IS MISSING OFF THE BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
Parking brake, Mar 20, 2002, crash
CONSUMER HAD PARKED VEHICLE ON AN UP HILL WITH EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE APPLIED. *AK THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE WAS FULLY EXTENDED AND WAS IN LOCK POSITION. AFTER THE DRIVER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL HITTING A MAILBOX. VEHICLE DOOR DAMAGED. DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED CABLE TO CORRECT CONCERN, BUT CONSUMER IS LOOKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S DOOR. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 5, 2002, crash
WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF DRIVEWAY APPLIED BRAKES, AND BRAKES FAILED, RAN INTO A TREE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Air bags, Mar 4, 2002, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK
Air bags, Mar 1, 2002, crash
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ABOUT SAME SPEED HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Air bags, Feb 28, 2002, crash
IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THIS VEHICLE REAR-ENDED AN EXPLORER AT ABOUT 30 MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CAMRY HAS EXTENSIVE FRONT-END DAMAGE WITH ALL FRONT-END SYSTEMS PUSHED BACK INTO ENGINE AND WHEELS. POLICE AT SCENE WONDERED WHY THERE WAS NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, AND TOWING AND FIRE (MEDICAL) PERSONNEL USED EXTREME CAUTION UNTIL SURE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS IN FACT DISARMED BY REMOVAL OF BATTERY. *AK
Tires, Feb 21, 2002
GENERAL, HP 400, P205/65R15, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 2001, TOYOTA, CAMRY WITH 7000 MILES. PASSENGER FRONT TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION AT 25-30 MPH, NO INJURIES.*AK DOT NUMBER ACUR3HU3400. *JB
Seat belts, Jan 31, 2002
CONSUMER'S SEAT BELT STRAP DOES NOT RETRACT. SOMETIMES WHEN PULLING IT OUT IT WILLTWIST, AND WILL NOT GO BACK IN AT ALL. BELT HAS BEEN OPENED AND UNTWISTED BOTH BELTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY DEALER, BUT THEY KEEP DOING THE SAME THING. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 26, 2002
CAR SPUTTERS AND KILLS WHILE TRYING TO START. WILL START AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS - THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NAMED THE "COLD START PROBLEM" BY TOYOTA.. TOYOTA HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL REGULATOR, SPARK PLUGS, CLEANED THE ENGINE.....NO GOOD. CAR IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 22, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, AND UPON COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE, PUT IN PARK AND PUT EMERGENCY BRAKE ON BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER FOUND EVERY THING NORMAL *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD AND ACCELERATES AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. *YD
Air bags, Jan 11, 2002, crash
THE POWDERED CHEMICAL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE AIRBAGS CAUSED SKIN BURNS WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SEVERE WITH RESPECT TO THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, WHO BURNED, BLISTERED, AND HAS HAD RESIDUAL RASH AND MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE CHEMICAL BURNS TO THE CHEST AREA, TWO MONTHS AFTER THE CRASH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THESE TYPES OF AIRBAG INJURIES ARE MORE TYPICAL OF THE FIRST-GENERATION AIRBAGS, BUT VERY ATYPICAL OF AIRBAGS THAT WOULD BE INSTALLED IN A 2001 MODEL VEHICLE.*AK
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 8, 2002, crash
ON JANUARY 4, 2002, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 CAMRY. A CAR IN FRONT OF ME (DODGE STRATUS) WAS STOPPED WAITING TO TURN LEFT. I WAS BEHIND THE CAR IN A STOPPED POSITION. ANOTHER CAR (1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE) TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH HIT ME FROM BEHIND FORCING MY CAR INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME RECEIVED DAMAGE TO TRUNK AND BUMPER WITH ENOUGH FORCE/DAMAGE TO CAUSE THE TRUNK TO NOT SHUT WITHOUT REPAIR. MY QUESTION, CONCERN IS THIS: MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY (NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER) AND ACCORDING TO MY OWNER'S MANUAL THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS FORCED INTO APPROXIMATELY A 45 DEGREE RECLINING POSITION DURING THE IMPACT AND IS CURRENTLY LOCKED INTO THAT POSITION. MY CAR HAD A POWER DRIVER'S SEAT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE COLLAPSED. I AM NOT SURE AT WHAT POINT THE SEAT COLLAPSED BUT THE IMPACT MUST HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO THROW ME FORWARD AND THEN BACK HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE SEAT TO FAIL. AS A RESULT I HAVE SUFFERED SOME BACK AND NECK INJURY AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE SEATS WERE DESIGNED TO DO THIS BUT I CANNOT FIND ANYTHING IN THE MANUAL, ON THEIR SITE OR ON THE WWW TO THIS EFFECT. THE IMPACT WAS ENOUGH THAT A BIG MAC IN MY RIGHT HAND WAS THROWN AGAINST THE ODOMETER, DOWN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR AND INTO THE BACK SEAT ON THE WINDOWS. A 32 OUNCE COKE WAS SPLATTERED THROUGHOUT THE CAR INTO THE DASH ELECTRONICS (CD PLAYER, TAPE DECK, ETC.) AND A CLOSED ARM REST. THE IMPACT SEEMS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND THE FACT THAT THE SEAT BACK DID NOT PROVIDE BACK SUPPORT IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME. AT A MINIMUM, IF THE SEATS ARE DESIGNED TO GO BACK LIKE THEY DID IN THIS SITUATION, THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE AWARE.*AK
Seats, Dec 15, 2001
THE FRONT SEATS ARE DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED, CREATING A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
Power train, Dec 13, 2001
CONSUMER CAN'T PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE. VEHICLE HAS TO BE FORCED INTO REVERSE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND NOTHING WAS WRONG.*AK
Power train, Equipment, Dec 8, 2001
IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR LAST AUGUST, IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR ME. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THE MOLDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED, THE DEALER PROMISED THEY WOULD REPLACE IT, THEY NEVER DID, THEY JUST PAINTED IT, TWO DAYS LATER THE PAINT CAME OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO DELIVERED TO ME WITHOUT THE WHEEL NUT WRENCH AND THE JACK HANDLE. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN I GOT A FLAT TIRE ON 11/21/01, WENT TO THE DEALER TO CLAIM THOSE PARTS, THE MANAGER IN CHARGE REFUSED TO COOPERATE, I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO AGREED TO GIVE ME THOSE PARTS AT NO COST TO ME. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER SHOWED NO CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY THAT I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT THOSE CRITICAL PARTS. WHILE TAKING CARE OF THIS, TO MAKE MATTERS WROST, I DISCOVERED THAT MY CAR, BEFORE I BOUGHT IT ON 07/23/01 WAS IN A COLLISION AND THE DEALER NEVER INFORMED ME OF IT. WHEN I CONTACTED BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO COOPERATE. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON HOW TO PROCEED TO HANDLE THIS MALFAISANCE FORM THIS DEALERSHIP. THANK YOU
Suspension, Power train, Dec 6, 2001
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 60MPH SO VIOLENTLY THAT CONSUMERS HAVE GONE ALMOST NUMB. CONSUMERS CAN FEEL STEERING BOUNCING FROM FLOORBOARD. TOYOTA'S REPRESENTATIVE TEST DROVE, AND ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM. TIRES WERE DIAGNOSED AS POSSIBILE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. TOYOTA TOOK A SECOND LOOK, AND FOUND VEHICLE CAME FROM FACTORY WITH AXLE BEING OUTER ROUND AND REPLACED IT. TOYOTA STATED A THIRD PARTY WOULD HAVE TO DETERMINE IF VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A BUY BACK. *AK
Air bags, Dec 5, 2001, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH, REAR-ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND DEPLOY. UPON EXAMINATION OF DAMAGE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY, AND AIR BAG SENSORS WERE DEMOLISHED. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 28, 2001
I DROVE THE VEHICLE THROUGH A PUDDLE AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO HYDRO-LOCK. NOW THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AND THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER IT. I DON'T HAVE $4,000 TO PAY FOR IT. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 16, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH, PASSENGER'S DOOR OPENED ENOUGH THAT DOOR WAS AJAR AND LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *YH