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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
83,000 miles · Mar 13, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT I HEARD A NOISE WITH A LOUD BANG ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MOTOR STOPPED. I HAD TO GET OUT BECAUSE SMOKE CAME FROM ALL OVER THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH FEAR THAT A FIRE WOULD START I GRABBED MY GIRLS AND GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN MY HUSBAND GOT THERE HE OPENED THE HOOD THERE WAS A HOLE IN MY …

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WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT I HEARD A NOISE WITH A LOUD BANG ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MOTOR STOPPED. I HAD TO GET OUT BECAUSE SMOKE CAME FROM ALL OVER THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH FEAR THAT A FIRE WOULD START I GRABBED MY GIRLS AND GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN MY HUSBAND GOT THERE HE OPENED THE HOOD THERE WAS A HOLE IN MY MOTOR THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR THE MOTOR TO BE FIXED I NEED TO HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS FROM THE OIL CHANGES WHICH I HAPPEN TO HAVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152637

86,000 miles · Mar 3, 2006
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR APPROX 11 MONTHS. IN AUGUST MY SON WHILE LEAVING THE BEACH CLAIMED THE ABS BREAKS LOCKED UP CAUSING HIM TO SLIDE INTO A POLE IN THE PARKING LOT. NEITHER AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED BUT THERE WAS OVER 6000 DAMAGE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A LOW IMPACT HIT ... THE CAR WAS REPAIR…

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I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR APPROX 11 MONTHS. IN AUGUST MY SON WHILE LEAVING THE BEACH CLAIMED THE ABS BREAKS LOCKED UP CAUSING HIM TO SLIDE INTO A POLE IN THE PARKING LOT. NEITHER AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED BUT THERE WAS OVER 6000 DAMAGE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A LOW IMPACT HIT ... THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AND BREAKS CHECKED AND SAID TO BE WORKING. NOW JUST 7 MONTHS FROM THAT ACCIDENT I WAS DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM AND DESPITE MY BEST DRIVING I TOO EXPERIENCED THE ABS BREAKS ACTUALLY LOCKING ... ON A HILL IN THE SNOW CAUSING MY CAR TO FISH TAIL AND ALL THE WHILE GAINING SPEED LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY TO SLOW DOWN MY PASSENGER WATCH THE SPEEDOMETER GO FROM 15... TO 30... TO 35 WHICH IS WHEN HE CLOSED HIS EYES AS I MADE ONE LAST ATTEMPT TO STEER THE CAR STRAIGHT WE WENT OFF THE ROAD WIPING OUT 2 OR 3 SMALL TREES, A METAL POLE LUCKILY THERE WAS A RATHER LARGE ROCK UNDER THE SNOW THAT GOT STUCK UNDER THE TAIL END OF THE CAR LEAVING THE CAR "NOSE" END INTO THE GROUND. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED ONCE AGAIN. THE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT WAS COMPLETELY TORN OUT, THE TIRES CAME PARTIALLY OFF THE RIM AND THE FRAME IS NOW TWISTED THE IMPACT WAS DEFIANTLY OVER 30 MPH WITH NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE ANTI- LOCK BAKES ... LOCKED AND HAD THEY NOT I WOULD NOT HAVE FISHTAILED ... THIS IS THE SECOND ACCIDENT MY CAR HAS HAD DUE TO THE BREAK SYSTEM. THIS ONE TOTALED MY CAR. WHICH I OWE 11,000 ON ... *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151755

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2005
StructureVehicle Speed Control

DT: THE CONTACT STATES SHE RECEIVED A CARFAX REPORT THAT STATED THE FOLLOWING COULD HAPPEN. "THE FRONT FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED. FUEL THROTTLE LINKAGE AND CONTROL; THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING COULD BE DEFORMED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL AT THE ACTUATOR TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE INNER ACCELERATOR INNER CABLE…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATES SHE RECEIVED A CARFAX REPORT THAT STATED THE FOLLOWING COULD HAPPEN. "THE FRONT FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED. FUEL THROTTLE LINKAGE AND CONTROL; THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING COULD BE DEFORMED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL AT THE ACTUATOR TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE INNER ACCELERATOR INNER CABLE COULD VEER AWAY AND EVENTUALLY BREAK THIS COULD ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO THE IDLE OR REMAIN IN ITS MOST RECENT POSITION REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH." NONE OF THESE SYMPTOMS APPLY TO HER VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142755

58,801 miles · Sep 25, 2005
Parking Brake

WHILE SETTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE PLASTIC BUTTON WHICH HOLDS THE BRAKE IN PLACE DETACHED FROM THE HANDLE, AND NOW THE BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD, AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOW DOES NOT STAY SET. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYBODY WITH THE REPLACEMENT PART. PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY WI…

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WHILE SETTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE PLASTIC BUTTON WHICH HOLDS THE BRAKE IN PLACE DETACHED FROM THE HANDLE, AND NOW THE BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD, AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOW DOES NOT STAY SET. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYBODY WITH THE REPLACEMENT PART. PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY WITH A PLAN OF ACTION. THANK YOU, DAVID WISDOM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10137547

45,192 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

2001 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135591

34,000 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. DEALER REPLACED VALVE AND VACUUM SWITCH. ELEVEN MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED, ONLY THIS TIME IT WAS ANOTHER VALVE AND THE SOP CANISTER. *NM WE WENT ON A TOYOTA CAMRY CHAT LINE AND DISCOVERED MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 28000 MIS. WITH THE FIRS…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. DEALER REPLACED VALVE AND VACUUM SWITCH. ELEVEN MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED, ONLY THIS TIME IT WAS ANOTHER VALVE AND THE SOP CANISTER. *NM WE WENT ON A TOYOTA CAMRY CHAT LINE AND DISCOVERED MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 28000 MIS. WITH THE FIRST REPAIR AND 34,000 WITH THE SECOND AND LARGER REPAIR. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF CAMRYS. SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10134744

40,000 miles · Aug 22, 2005
Fuel System, Other

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON WITH APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON MY 2001 CAMRY. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD A VALVE WAS BAD AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED (ALONG WITH ABOUT $2000 OF OTHER THINGS THAT MYSTERIOUSLY DIDN'T NEED ANY WORK AT MY 36,OOO MILE END OF WARRENTY CHECK-UP). A CURSORY INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED…

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON WITH APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON MY 2001 CAMRY. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD A VALVE WAS BAD AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED (ALONG WITH ABOUT $2000 OF OTHER THINGS THAT MYSTERIOUSLY DIDN'T NEED ANY WORK AT MY 36,OOO MILE END OF WARRENTY CHECK-UP). A CURSORY INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED THAT THE VALVE PART WAS ACTUALLY A SENSOR THAT REGULATES FUEL. THE INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED SEVERAL ARTICLES ABOUT INPROPERLY CALIBRATED SENSORS AND ARTICLES SAYING THAT 2001 CAMRYS MANUFATURED IN KENTUCKY WERE UNDER RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE SENSORS. I WAITED FOR A RECALL NOTICE, AND NEVER RECEIVED ONE. I SEARCHED AGAIN FOR THE CALIBRATION ARTICLES AND A MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF IF I DID NOT CARRY A LOT OF LUGGAGE IN THE TRUNK , DID NOT ACCELERATE TOO QUICKLY OR USE A BICYCLE RACK ON THE TRUNK. AVOIDING THESE THINGS CAUSED THE LIGHT TO GO OUT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, USUALLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES, AND THEN THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO BACK OFF BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. I INQUIRED AT TWO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TO SEE IF MY CAR WAS TO BE RECALLED. BOTH SAID NO. THE NATIONAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS INSISTED NO 2001 CAMRYS FROM KENTUCKY WERE RECALLED, DESPITE MY FINDING THAT SEVERAL RECALL WEBSITES LISTED THEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW BACK ON, AND HAS NOT TURNED OFF LIKE IT HAS IN THE PAST. AFTER SEEING SO MANY ARTICLES ON IMPROPER CALIBRATION AND DEFECTS, I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT MY CAR FOR RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10133767

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2005
Steering

HAVE HAD A STEERING WHEEL VIVRATION SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2001. HAVE HAD WHEELS BALANCED AND ALIGH IN PAST AND PURCHASED NEW TIRES AFTER 18,000 MILES TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP. NOTHING HAS. STILL HAS VIBRATION. CALLED TOYOTA IN 2001 NO HELP RESOLVING PROBLEM. 8JB

NHTSA ODI #10130679

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2005
Tires

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I BOUGHT NEW.AT PRESENT THE CAR HAS JUST 20,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE CAR CAME EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL HP 400 A/S TIRES. AT PRESENT THE TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3/16 TREAD DEPTH.MY COMPLAINTS ARE: 1. WHILE DRIVING ON A WET BLACKTOP ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH , I GENTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR A CHAN…

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I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I BOUGHT NEW.AT PRESENT THE CAR HAS JUST 20,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE CAR CAME EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL HP 400 A/S TIRES. AT PRESENT THE TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3/16 TREAD DEPTH.MY COMPLAINTS ARE: 1. WHILE DRIVING ON A WET BLACKTOP ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH , I GENTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR A CHANGING TRAFFIC SIGNAL.AT THAT TIME THE TIRES LOST TRACTION AND THE CAR SLID INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS OCCURRED DEC. 2004. 2.WHILE STARTING FROM A STOP SIGN ON A SLIGHT UPGRADE,THE TIRES LOST TRACTION AND SPUN. THIS OCCURRED JUL 2005. I AM TO THE POINT WHERE I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN OR EVEN ON WET PAVEMENT. DO YOU HAVE ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THESE TIRES ?

NHTSA ODI #10129835

50,000 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Tires

DT: THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BULGED. EVERY TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED CONSUMER HAD TAKEN IT TO DEALER TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES. ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR T…

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DT: THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BULGED. EVERY TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED CONSUMER HAD TAKEN IT TO DEALER TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES. ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS AS OF YET. ALL TIRES WERE PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THERE WAS NO ROAD CONSTRUCTION OR RAIN WHEN THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED. EACH TIME WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 85 DEGREES OR LESS. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. THE MANUFACTURE OF ALL THE TIRES WAS GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, SIZE P205/65R15 RS STANDARD. ALL TIRE WERE BEING REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. ALL THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM DISCOUNT TIRES 7401 WEST LAKE MEAD BOULEVARD LAS VEGAS, NV 89128 702-636-2160 OR AT 4840 SOUTH JONES BOULEVARD LAS VEGAS, NV 89103 702-362-2995. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10129709

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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