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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

272 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2001-TOYOTA CAMRY: THERE IS A BURNING ODOR WHEN CAR IS OPERATING. THE IGNITION DOES NOT ALWAYS START THE CAR UPON INSERTING AND TURNING THE KEY. MANY TIMES WHEN TURNING THE KEY, THERE IS A HIGH SCREECHING LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR REMAINS NON-OPERATIONAL FOR A FEW MINUTES WHICH OCCURS EVERYDAY. AFTER THE CAR IS RUNNING FOR APPR…

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2001-TOYOTA CAMRY: THERE IS A BURNING ODOR WHEN CAR IS OPERATING. THE IGNITION DOES NOT ALWAYS START THE CAR UPON INSERTING AND TURNING THE KEY. MANY TIMES WHEN TURNING THE KEY, THERE IS A HIGH SCREECHING LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR REMAINS NON-OPERATIONAL FOR A FEW MINUTES WHICH OCCURS EVERYDAY. AFTER THE CAR IS RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20-MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, THERE IS A BURNING SMELL SIMILAR TO BURNING RUBBER. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR NEAR THE FLOOR ON DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL BECOME WARM. IT APPEARS HEAT IS GENERATED FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THUS RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR. UPON ACCELERATION, THE CAR HAS A JERKY, PROPELLING MOTION FORWARD. STEERING COLUMN HAS SOME STIFFNESS AND AT OTHER TIMES IT HAS LOT OF PLAY WITH TURNS. THE POWER/ELECTRIC WINDOWS, CLOCK, AND CD/RADIO PLAYER DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THESE DEFECTS/FAULTS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER USED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AS VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS IS, I DID NOT RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DAILY IGNITION/START PROBLEM, OTHER PROBLEMS DESCRIBED ABOVE, HAPPEN APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES A MONTH. REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICE MAINTENANCE ARE PERFORMED HOWEVER ALL ABOVE PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO CONCERN ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275335

135,890 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS CORNELL TIRES, SIZE P/205/65/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE NOISE, THE FRONT PASSENGER TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS CORNELL TIRES, SIZE P/205/65/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE NOISE, THE FRONT PASSENGER TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,890. UPDATED 07/08/09. *LJ THE TREAD FROM THE TIRE DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 07/08/09.**JB

NHTSA ODI #10274602

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I JUST KEEP HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES ON MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264348

86,000 miles · Jan 14, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE WHOLE INSTRUMENT PANELS LIGHTS AND STEREO BEGIN FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND CUTS OUT THE STEREO LIKE TURNING IT ON AND OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON OR RHYME AS TO WHEN OR WHY IT HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND OCCASIONALLY SMELL A BURNING SMELL WHICH SEEMS TO GO AWAY IF I TURN EVERYTHING BUT …

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THE WHOLE INSTRUMENT PANELS LIGHTS AND STEREO BEGIN FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND CUTS OUT THE STEREO LIKE TURNING IT ON AND OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON OR RHYME AS TO WHEN OR WHY IT HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND OCCASIONALLY SMELL A BURNING SMELL WHICH SEEMS TO GO AWAY IF I TURN EVERYTHING BUT THE MOTOR OFF. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE FOGGED AND HAVE POOR VISIBILITY. WHEN I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY WOULD JUST SWITCH IT OUT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLES HEADLIGHT. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE DONE THIS BUT IT LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255013

41,000 miles · Dec 28, 2008
Exterior Lighting

2001 TOYOTA CAMRY HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE FOGGED AND NO LONGER CLEAR. HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT A BRIGHT DUE TO THE CONDITION. NEARLY HIT BICYCLIST CROSSING IN CROSSWALK AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252986

30,000 miles · Dec 3, 2008
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingCrashFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE POLICE, AMBULANCE, AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND REPORTS WERE F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE POLICE, AMBULANCE, AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND REPORTS WERE FILED. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED IN THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY REPORT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000. UPDATED 12/30/08 *CN UPDATED 01/02/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10250652

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2008
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

2001 TOYOTA CAMRY DOORS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DOORS WILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES AND CAN NOT OPEN MANUALLY. *NJ

NHTSA ODI #10241511

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior LightingTires

DROVE CAR ON INTERSTATE & WHEN REACHED APPROX. 60 MPH, FELT VIBRATION & A SHUDDERING; PREPARED TO PULL OVER BUT BEFORE I COULD DO SO, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED, AS I LITERALLY WATCHED MY RIGHT FRONT END COME APART BEFORE MY EYES; COULD HARDLY CONTROL STEERING BUT MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD TO SAFETY. AFTER I HAD STOPPED, I GOT…

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DROVE CAR ON INTERSTATE & WHEN REACHED APPROX. 60 MPH, FELT VIBRATION & A SHUDDERING; PREPARED TO PULL OVER BUT BEFORE I COULD DO SO, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED, AS I LITERALLY WATCHED MY RIGHT FRONT END COME APART BEFORE MY EYES; COULD HARDLY CONTROL STEERING BUT MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD TO SAFETY. AFTER I HAD STOPPED, I GOT OUT & SAW THE WHOLE TREAD OF THE TIRE IN THE ROAD, ALONG WITH PARTS OF MY CAR ALL OVER THE PLACE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! I CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO PUT SPARE TIRE ON & I SLOWLY DROVE IT HOME & CAR DIED REPEATEDLY DURING THE DRIVE WE USED BATTERY CABLES TO JUMPSTART, OVER & OVER AGAIN UNTIL WE GOT IT HOME & PARKED IT. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED (OUT OF POCKET) TO LOCAL DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. (B'HAM, AL). SERVICE MAN HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ENGINE HARNESS DUE TO THE HARNESS BEING RIPPED OUT THROUGH THE RIGHT FRONT HEAD LIGHT/PASS FRONT FENDER (ABOUT 3 FEET RIPPED OFF). SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS & THAT I SHOULD REPORT IT & TRY TO HAVE TIRE COMPANY PAY FOR DAMAGES, ETC. ENGINE HARNESS DESTROYED, ESTIMATED COST $1890.50 TO REPAIR (NOT INCLUDING BODY WORK WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO BE ANYWHERE FROM ANOTHER $1,500 TO $2,000 IN DAMAGES). THE FENDER, FRONT HEADLIGHT AND BUMPER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. I'VE MADE SOME ARRANGEMENTS TO GO AHEAD & GET VEHICLE RUNNING, PAYING THE COSTS OF $1890.50 TO GET THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN; AGAIN OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I CAN SUPPLY YOUR OFFICE WITH A COPY OF THE SERVICE MANAGER'S ESTIMATE & ANALOGY OF WHAT HAPPENED TO CAUSE DAMAGES. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET VEHICLE COMPLETELY RESTORED & FEEL ALL DAMAGES SHOULD BE REIMBURSED DUE TO THE FAULTY TIRE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE SINCE I COULD HARDLY CONTROL THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED. THANK GOD THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD SAW ME OR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT, AS MANY CARS WERE TRAVELING ALL LANES. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE & HAD TO CROSS OVER THE RIGHT LANE TO EXIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240155

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2008
Air BagsCrash

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239962

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON MY HOME DRIVE WAY, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD,THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER 911 CALL, THE FIRE FIGHTERS CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. ALL OF THE PARTS UNDER THE HOOD WERE ALL MELTED, ESPECIALLY ENGINE SIDE WERE BURNT OUT SIGNIFICANTLY. THE FRONT WINDOW PANEL WAS ALSO DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO…

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AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ON MY HOME DRIVE WAY, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD,THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER 911 CALL, THE FIRE FIGHTERS CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. ALL OF THE PARTS UNDER THE HOOD WERE ALL MELTED, ESPECIALLY ENGINE SIDE WERE BURNT OUT SIGNIFICANTLY. THE FRONT WINDOW PANEL WAS ALSO DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHICH CAME ON, NO STRANGE SMELLS, NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236690

Official recalls

2

01V072000 · 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

1

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.

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