IllustrationWHILE PARKED FOR 5 HOURS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER, THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
2001 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
2825–50K
2250–75K
2975–100K
27100–150K
15150K+
146 reports with mileage · 126 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 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
70 crash reports11 fire reports40 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
47 reportsPROBLEMS INVOLVING 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY.*MR (NAR) WHILE DRIVING ON THE MAJOR INTERSTATE THE CONSUMER VEHICLE BROKE DOWN WITH OUT ANY WARNING, THE CAR STARTED TO JERK SPORADICALLY AND HESITATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND HAD TO TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE D…
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PROBLEMS INVOLVING 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY.*MR (NAR) WHILE DRIVING ON THE MAJOR INTERSTATE THE CONSUMER VEHICLE BROKE DOWN WITH OUT ANY WARNING, THE CAR STARTED TO JERK SPORADICALLY AND HESITATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND HAD TO TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE DEFECT ENGINE BUT FELL TO FIX PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS REQUESTING THAT A RECALL BE ISSUED FOR ALL AFFECTED ENGINES, OR RE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE AND COVER THE INCIDENTAL AND COLLATERAL EXPENSES MADE FROM DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *CB
THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED.*MR THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED THAT TOYOTA RECALL ALL AFFECTED ENGINES, OR REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AND COVER INCIDENTIAL AND COLLATERAL EXPENSES. *CB *JB
THE CAR SUDDENLY BROKE DOWN ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE OUT OF WASHINGTON, DC, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. WITHOUT WARNING (E.G., NO WARNING LIGHTS OR PREVIOUS PROBLEMS), IT STARTED TO JERK SPORADICALLY AND HESITATED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. AS I APPROACHED MY EXIT TO I-495 NORTH, THE CAR GOT WORSE IT STARTED TO MAKE A CLICKING…
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THE CAR SUDDENLY BROKE DOWN ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE OUT OF WASHINGTON, DC, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. WITHOUT WARNING (E.G., NO WARNING LIGHTS OR PREVIOUS PROBLEMS), IT STARTED TO JERK SPORADICALLY AND HESITATED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. AS I APPROACHED MY EXIT TO I-495 NORTH, THE CAR GOT WORSE IT STARTED TO MAKE A CLICKING-AND-CLACKING NOISE AND SEEMED THAT IT WOULD DIE AT ANYTIME. I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT OFF OF I-495 (210: INDIAN HEAD HIGHWAY, SOUTH) BECAUSE I KNEW THAT THERE WAS A SHELL GAS STATION WITH A GARAGE. AS I APPROACHED THE STATION, I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE. I WAS TERRIFIED THAT THE CAR WOULD CATCH ON FIRE. *LA
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED 15 MPH, VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND, COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS A 3-4 INCH HOLE IN THE ENGINE WHICH LEAKED OIL AND IGNITED A FIRE. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR REPORTED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND NOT IMPROPER CARE. *AK THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE JUST EXPLODED WITH A BIG BANG AND THE BRAKES HAD GONE OU…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS A 3-4 INCH HOLE IN THE ENGINE WHICH LEAKED OIL AND IGNITED A FIRE. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR REPORTED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND NOT IMPROPER CARE. *AK THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE JUST EXPLODED WITH A BIG BANG AND THE BRAKES HAD GONE OUT. *SCC *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND BRAKES FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
LAST YEAR AT APPROXIMATLEY SAME MONTH & DATE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2001, IT ONLY HAS 9034 MILES AND THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT.*AK
THERE WAS A SULFUR ODOR COMING THREW THE AIR VENT FROM THE EXHAUST WHICH MADE THE OCCUPANTS SICK. *NLM (SEE ANNOTATION - MJ) *TS *JB
CAM SHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED W/APPROXIMATELY 49,000 MILES. DEALER WILL NOT COVER COST OF REPAIR ALTHOUGH IT AFFECTS THE ENGINE'S PERFORMANCE. IT WAS NOT AN INTERNAL PROBLEM. *NLM
Official recalls
201V072000 · Structure:frame And Members
Mar 5, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
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
1PE02079 · 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.