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1999 Toyota Camry

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

174 reports with mileage · 327 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

99 crash reports42 fire reports62 injury reports

What owners actually said

501 reports
45,000 miles · May 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PARKED HER VEHICLE SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HER PERSONAL MECHANIC AND SHE WAS INFORMED THE IDLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED 1 YEAR LATER. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PARKED HER VEHICLE SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HER PERSONAL MECHANIC AND SHE WAS INFORMED THE IDLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED 1 YEAR LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,000. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND SHE HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/06/12

NHTSA ODI #10458297

162,247 miles · Apr 6, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL ON THE MORNING OF 3/28/2012, WHEN OUR 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS SHE COULD BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE'S RPM'S WENT TO THE MAXIMUM. THE CAR AT TH…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL ON THE MORNING OF 3/28/2012, WHEN OUR 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS SHE COULD BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE'S RPM'S WENT TO THE MAXIMUM. THE CAR AT THAT POINT MUST HAVE BLOWN A PISTON ROD OR VALVE, OIL WAS SPRAYING INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHE MADE AN ATTEMPT TO BUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO SEE IF IT WOULD RELEASE. THE CAR WAS STALLED ON A MAIN STREET WITH EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON. SHE AGAIN TRIED TO START THE CAR AND RPM'S WENT TO THE MAX AND THE AT THAT POINT SMOKE STARTED RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SEVERAL PEOPLE CAME TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND TRIED TO HELP TRAFFIC MOVE AROUND THE VEHICLE. I ARRIVED AT MY DAUGHTERS LOCATION AND WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS PUSHED THE CAR SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET INTO A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE WAY. I HAVE NOW TOWED THE CAR BACK TO MY HOME AND NEED HELP TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE WAS. I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. AS I REVIEW OTHER VEHICLE ACCELERATION COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, I WANT OTHER 1999 CAMRY OWNERS TO BE AWARE THAT THIS TYPE OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAN AND DOES OCCUR. WE ARE VERY LUCKY OUR DAUGHTER DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES OR CAUSE ANY DEATHS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FINAL MILEAGE IS AT AROUND 162,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454377

105,000 miles · Sep 21, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND BOTH KNEES AFTER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND BOTH KNEES AFTER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 10/12/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. ON AUGUST 31, 2011 HIS WIFE DROVE FORWARD AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT TO GET NEAR A CURB, BEFORE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE, SHE THEN SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND BACKED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, BUT THEN REALIZED SHE WASN'T CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE CURB. SHE SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, DROVE FORWARD ABOUT 15 FEET AND SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. EACH OF THESE SHIFTS REQUIRED HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SHOT BACKWARDS, CRASHING INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. AFTER THE SECOND ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE DEEMED TOTAL AND SOLD FOR SALVAGE. UPDATED 10/26/11

NHTSA ODI #10426586

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

MY HUSBAND WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR OF MY 1999 CAMRY AND IT BROKE OFF IN HIS HAND. NOW IT I CANNOT GET IN THE DOOR IF AN EMERGENCY OCCURS, I FEEL UNSAFE WHEN GETTING IN MY CAR AT NIGHT, PARTICULARLY WHEN I HAVE TO WORK LATE ,AT A MALL OR THE GROCERY STORE. IT IS GOING TO COST $150 OR MORE TO REPLACE THIS HANDLE. I DON'T THINK WE SH…

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MY HUSBAND WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR OF MY 1999 CAMRY AND IT BROKE OFF IN HIS HAND. NOW IT I CANNOT GET IN THE DOOR IF AN EMERGENCY OCCURS, I FEEL UNSAFE WHEN GETTING IN MY CAR AT NIGHT, PARTICULARLY WHEN I HAVE TO WORK LATE ,AT A MALL OR THE GROCERY STORE. IT IS GOING TO COST $150 OR MORE TO REPLACE THIS HANDLE. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO DO THAT WHEN I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL CAMRY OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS. THEY NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR NOTHING BECAUSE I AM IN DANGER EVERYTIME I HAVE TO ENTER MY CAR. IN ADDITION, HAVING TO OPEN THE DOOR BY GRASPING THE METAL PART AND THEN STICKING MY HAND UNDERNEATH, CAN INJURE MY HAND. THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO THEM BUT IT IS TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394332

65,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL SUDDENLY AS WELL. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN SO THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK WHICH RESULTED TO …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL SUDDENLY AS WELL. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN SO THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK WHICH RESULTED TO THE VEHICLE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE EOR SENSOR, EOR SOLENOID AND EOR MODULE WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. UPDATED 4/4/11 *CN THE MECHANIC CLEANED THE THROTTLE. UPDATED 06/03/11

NHTSA ODI #10382561

132,500 miles · Jan 12, 2011
Unknown Or Other

I STARTED MY CAR, SAT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES BEFORE I PUT IT IN GEAR & BEGAN MOVING. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 100-200 YARDS TO THE EXIT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN I NOTICED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS & GOT OUT …

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I STARTED MY CAR, SAT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES BEFORE I PUT IT IN GEAR & BEGAN MOVING. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 100-200 YARDS TO THE EXIT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN I NOTICED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS & GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS DIED NOT LONG AFTER I TURNED THEM ON. ONCE I DETERMINED THERE WASN'T A FIRE, I CAREFULLY OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE SMOKE STILL POURING OUT OF THE STARTER. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT SOMEHOW THE STARTER HAD BEEN ENGAGED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT HAD DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE HEAT FROM THE STARTER HAD NOT MELTED ANY HOSES AND IGNITED SOMETHING. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED (IT WAS THE ORIGINAL STARTER FROM WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW), BATTERY RECHARGED AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CHECKED FOR DAMAGE. LUCKILY, THE ONLY DAMAGE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN TO THE STARTER ITSELF. I SUBSEQUENTLY WENT ONLINE AND FOUND REFERENCES TO STARTERS IN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL & YEAR OVERHEATING IN THE SAME WAY & SOME EVEN CATCHING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON FIRE. I HAVE TO WONDER HOW MANY SUCH INCIDENTS HAVE GONE UNREPORTED, OR HOW MANY ENGINE FIRES WERE CAUSED BY STARTERS, BUT THE CAUSE WAS NEVER FOUND, BECAUSE THE STARTER & EVERYTHING ELSE WAS DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI #10377268

44,000 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY ONTO THE ON RAMP TO THE VETERANS EXPRESSWAY, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD BANG AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE.THE ENGINE STOPPED! I HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 1999,AND IT ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS IN SUPER CONDITION, EXCEPT NOW IT HAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE EXPR…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY ONTO THE ON RAMP TO THE VETERANS EXPRESSWAY, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD BANG AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE.THE ENGINE STOPPED! I HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 1999,AND IT ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS IN SUPER CONDITION, EXCEPT NOW IT HAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!! A CERTIFIED MECHANIC SAID THAT THE PISTON ROD CAP BOLT HAD BROKEN AND THE ROD BLEW A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. THE TOYOTA DEALER AND TOYOTA NATIONAL SAID THAT I MUST PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. IT NEEDS A WHOLE NEW ENGINE!!I FEEL THAT IT MUST BE A DEFECT OR THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AT 44,000 MILES.I HAVE ALWAYS HAD ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS DONE. THIS IS CERTAINLY A DANGEROUS DEFECT, BECAUSE IF YOUR CAR SEIZES UP AND STOPS IN TRAFFIC, YOU DO NOT STAND A CHANCE. I'VE READ WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T TOYOTA RECALLED THIS? IT IS CERTAINLY JUST AS DANGEROUS AS THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY DID RECALL CARS FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370904

118,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR IS GETTING STUCK REPEATEDLY IN MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS STUCK I HAVE TO EITHER FORCE HARDER ON THE PEDAL OR I HAVE TO RELEASE MY FOOT AND THEN HIT THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN WITH A GREATER FORCE TO REMOVE THE PEDAL FROM THE STUCK POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE HIGHLY WHEN THE PEDAL GETS RE…

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ACCELERATOR IS GETTING STUCK REPEATEDLY IN MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS STUCK I HAVE TO EITHER FORCE HARDER ON THE PEDAL OR I HAVE TO RELEASE MY FOOT AND THEN HIT THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN WITH A GREATER FORCE TO REMOVE THE PEDAL FROM THE STUCK POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE HIGHLY WHEN THE PEDAL GETS RELEASED AND WITH MY GREATER FORCE ON PEDAL. I HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS FOR SOMETIME BUT THIS ISSUE IS FREQUENTLY HAPPENING SO I WANTED TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO YOUR NOTICE AS A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY CAR. BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE I DON'T DRIVE MY KIDS IN THIS CAR AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND THE PASSENGERS IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368357

145,000 miles · Oct 30, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE RADIO BEGAN SKIPPING SIMILAR TO A SCRATCHED CD WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE RADIO WAS TUNED TO FM, NOT PLAYING A CD. THE SAME SOUND WAS HEARD FOUR MONTHS EARLIER, BUT NOT SINCE THEN. SUDDENLY THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND PULLED ONTO A SIDE …

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WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE RADIO BEGAN SKIPPING SIMILAR TO A SCRATCHED CD WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE RADIO WAS TUNED TO FM, NOT PLAYING A CD. THE SAME SOUND WAS HEARD FOUR MONTHS EARLIER, BUT NOT SINCE THEN. SUDDENLY THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND PULLED ONTO A SIDE STREET, WHERE SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE ESCALATED AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS CONSUMED. CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363042

92,000 miles · Oct 11, 2010
Exterior Lighting

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. RECALL NUMBER 09E025000. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW CAN I GET RECALL FOR MY HEADLIGHTS? I AM NOT GETTING GOOD LIGHTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360027

Official recalls

1

01V012000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE02079 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 18, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ODI'S DATA ANALYSIS FOUND THE FIRES RATES TO BE CONSISTENTLY LOW AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG SIX MODEL YEARS AND SIX DIFFERENT ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS.ODI EXAMINED A VARIETY OF ROOT CAUSES, THOSE BEING DETONATION (RESULTING IN OIL PAN PUNCTURE FROM CONNECTING ROD), STARTER FIRES, VARIOUS FUEL RELATED FIRES, LEAKING OIL FILTERS, WIRING ISSUES, IMPROPER REPAIRS AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.NONE OF THE ISSUES EXAMINED HAD REPORTS THAT INDICATED A TREND WHEN NORMALIZED FOR POPULATON AND EXPOSURE.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS.

DP02004 · Engine Seizure

Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.

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