2001 Toyota Camry: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 272 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (14% of complaints).
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 272 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I do not feel engine braking effect when I apply brake instead I have to press brake hard to hold until engine idles. It is a serious issue in older cars. My car has 153000 miles.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2025
“Problem: Unintended Acceleration, air conditioner operating. Incident Scenario: Approaching driveway, stopped to allow pedestrian to pass. Resumed low speed turn into driveway, Abrupt acceleration of vehicle, launching vehicle over granite curb and into nearby tree. Damage: Passenger R.Front Fender, Passenger Headlamp Assy;Lower Control Arm Assy, Front Bumper cover, Passenger wheel rim bent, tire deflated. Unintended vehicle acceleration is a serious safety defect and can occur when the Idle Air Control Valve is defective or is provided incorrect engine rpm signal from Engine Control Computer causing sudden vehicle acceleration.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2024
“The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“After an alignment my steering wheel is not straight. If held straight, the car goes off the road to the right. Took it back, now it goes off to the left. Sitting still the steering wheel will turn 360 degrees around and hangs in spots when turning it back.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2023
“Air bag light is on and won't go off. Toyota service department said the sensor was discontinued no longer available to make the repair.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2022
“Speed sensor melted with plug and kept blowing 10a gauge fuse witch gauge stops working windows won't go down and battery will die if not handled and the vehicle was in park this will happen once you turn the key just turn the key the vehicle was not started just the key was turned into the on position then the fuse will automatically pop”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota camry. While driving 35 mph, another vehicle struck the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left shoulder and head that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“Vehicle 'races' out of control while stationary and in gear, both in garage and outside of garage preparing to enter. Solution: step on brake on hard as possible to prevent collision and turn off ignition. Engine no longer 'races' when ignition is turned on again. 3 occurrences in past 12 months. No further documentation. Spouse was present on one occasion.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2018
“This is not a takama recall complain. It is regarding my car that has been id' that it is 2000 year make car, the local dmv did made an inspection and conclusion was that is it 2000 - due to some stickers everywhere - on the door, on the hood of the car and other places.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2018
“I was driving home from the dr. S and noticed that the brake pedal was making this loud noise and the pedal went almost to the floor but it had a crunchy noise and I knew that the brakes were not the same when I left my house. I pulled over and got out and noticed that the brake fluid was low and I had to go buy dot 3 and put it in the master cylinder. I kept driving it until I could find out what it was an was told that I needed a brake booster, but the car only has 87,546 mile's on it.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 70 of these complaints and injuries in 58 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 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 2001 Toyota Camry reliable?
NHTSA has 272 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Toyota Camry. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Camry problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Toyota Camry have open recalls?
4 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.