1999 Toyota Camry: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 501 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 501 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the headlights were dim while driving the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlights were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E025000 (Exterior Lighting) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2021
“The vehicle upon start had got heavy. It would only inch upon heavy acceleration. Then suddenly at turning, retained normality and burst forward”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2019
“I turned on rear defrost and within few seconds back seat was on fire. Window burnt seat and seat belt also burned hand. It appears to have been a possible electrical cause. I figured a fuse would blow prior to a fire inside car. Had I been on fwy I would have not been lucky gas tank is inches below fire .”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car pulls to left after new tires , 3 different alignment checks. Went on-line and discovered numerous complaints and few solutions. This is dangerous and little help from dealers. You have to maintain constant pressure on wheel when driving at any speed to stay in lane.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2017
“For several years, the check engine light has been coming on and we have been told it was the gas cap. Our mechanic has tried many solutions to repair this and hundreds of dollars later, we are now being told it is a common problem to this vehicle - the evaporation vapor canister. Upon further research, this piece was part of a lawsuit against toyota that toyota lost. We can not afford to pay over $400 for a part so that it passes inspection. Especially when toyota knew this part was a problem. Toyota should be responsible for the repair of this part.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2017
“While going shopping to get our weekend newspapers,our car experienced a sudden unexpected acceleration and would not stop.the only we had to stop it was to put the transmission in park while moving forward.the car went over a curb.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2016
“I was driving on expressway doing about 35 mph when the steering wheel locked as I driving around a curve. I drove into the left cement barrier, car spun around and hit the barrier again. I just purchased the car and didn't even have it for 5 days! The car was towed and salvaged. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“I only had my 1999 camry for 5 days. I was driving on the expressway doing about 35 mph. I was going around a slight curve when the wheel locked and I couldn't turn. I tried to stop but couldn't and ran directly into the concrete median causing me to spin around and then hit the median again. Both air bags came out and my car was towed to a lot where it was declared "totaled." no one or any other property was damaged. I had my car for only 5 days and it malfunctioned. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2016
“The air bag light on dash flashes. This has been going on for years. I have had it checked numerous times by an authorized toyota service dealer and they used to mess with some wires under the drivers seat until the light stopped flashing. That fix last for a few months and then the flashing light returns. This situation has never been resolved which leaves me to wonder if I have air bag protection or not. Luckily I have had no major accidents ,for I suspicion that if I did those air bags would not deploy. I need to resolve this safety issue !”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 toyota camry. While driving at 45 mph, the accelerator pedal remained stuck after being depressed. In addition, all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated and only the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel seized. As a result, the contact was involved in a crash. The details of the crash were not available. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was informed that the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was 109,000.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 99 of these complaints and injuries in 86 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Camry by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Toyota Camry reliable?
NHTSA has 501 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Toyota Camry. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Camry problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Toyota Camry have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.