Skip to content
Toyota Camry SolaraModel year report

2000 Toyota Camry Solara Problems

Complaints
66filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
55,000miles, 30 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2000 Camry Solara most often describe brakes that lose stopping power or assist, tire bubbles, bald tread, or blowouts, and sudden unintended acceleration or movement. Airbags that did not deploy in crashes and musty or mildew odors from the ventilation system are also described. Reported mileage ranges from a few thousand miles to about 150,000, so these problems appear in both lower- and higher-mileage cars.

  1. Brakes

    Brakes that lose stopping power or assist

    • 7 complaints (11%)
    • median 28,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2004–2016

    Owners describe brakes that did not stop the car as expected, and some report feeling little or no braking at times, along with grinding noise after brake service. Some say the power brake assist unit failed and the manufacturer declined to pay for the repair. The dealer reportedly said the brakes were within specification, and according to a complaint, another repair shop found a master cylinder push rod that was too long. Reported mileage runs from about 4,800 to 150,000, and the power brake assist failures are at about 27,000 to 28,000 miles.

    What to check: On a quiet road, test the brakes for a firm pedal and normal stopping, and listen for grinding or noise after any brake service. Ask whether the power brake assist unit or master cylinder has been replaced or inspected, since complaints mention power brake assist failures and a master cylinder push rod problem.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “2000 Toyota solara sle conv/2dr. I have complained about my brakes for years. They say nothing is wrong with them. But there is. Sometimes I can't stop/slow down I feel I have no brakes. Or could it be the gas pedal. I have different floor mats in the vehicle but it still does it. It happens once in awhile. I let a friend drive it for awhile and it happened to him. I tell people if something happens to me in my vehicle it would be because of no brakes.”

    NHTSA complaint #10311884, filed 2010-02, 6,000 miles

    “I have a 2000 Toyota solara and I just got my brakes done and it was like I never even had them replaced there grinding my vehicle is hard to stop they squeak and now my ignition switch is broke when I purchase the vehicle they told me I had to make another key I made 2 but its the same consistent problem nobody is taking this matter serious and it really is a dangerous situation to be in especially with younger age children.”

    NHTSA complaint #10319067, filed 2010-03
  2. Tires

    Tire bubbles, bald tread, or blowouts

    • 7 complaints (11%)
    • median 20,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • filed 2000–2003

    Owners describe sidewall bubbles on original or replacement tires, bald or separating tread, and in some reports a tire that blew out while driving. Dealers replaced some of these tires, while other complaints say the dealer and manufacturer did not recognize a sidewall bubble as a problem, and the dealer blamed the owner after a blowout. Some also report being told that tires needed replacement early in the car's life. Where mileage is given, tires were reported bald or needing replacement at about 17,000 to 20,000 miles, and the bubble and blowout reports do not list mileage.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Check each tire's sidewalls for bubbles and its tread for uneven or early wear, and ask whether any tire was replaced under warranty. The Toyota tire warranty guide sets out the coverage terms for tires used by Toyota, so compare the tires against it using their purchase date.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Michelin, 205/65r15, radial tires, original tires, left front tire blewout while driving. It was just serviced about 2 weeks ago. The dealer could not find the cause for the tire failure, but blames the customer.”

    NHTSA complaint #878197, filed 2001-01

    “Bubble developed on side wall of tire. Dealer & Toyota does not recognize as defect. Suggested to contact manufacturer for further evaulation. (tiresize: p205/60r16)( DOT number: tire size: p205/60r16 )”

    NHTSA complaint #745621, filed 2001-05
  3. Vehicle speed control

    Sudden unintended acceleration or movement

    • 8 complaints (12%)
    • median 50,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2010

    Owners describe the car accelerating suddenly while entering a parking area or slowing down, and in some reports striking trees, a wall, a building, or a storefront. Other reports describe the car moving forward while in Park with the engine running, in some cases striking or pinning a person. Some describe injuries to drivers or bystanders. Where mileage is given, reports fall between about 40,000 and 104,000 miles, and the events are described both in parking areas and on residential streets.

    What to check: On a test drive, pull into a parking space at low speed and confirm the car slows normally when the brake is applied and does not creep or surge in Park. Ask whether any throttle or speed control repairs appear in the service history.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I would like to report my son's fatal 2000 Toyota solara crash. His car went into full speed and hit the trees with speed close to 100 MPH on a residential street with 20 MPH limit. Updated 03/10/10 updated 9/21/2011 updated 09/23/10”

    NHTSA complaint #10310958, filed 2010-02, 40,000 miles

    “Wife was pulling into a parking space. Car had almost come to a complete stop, she was about to put car in park and set handbrake and car suddenly accelerated in to a bring wall. She crack c1 and c2 vertebrae and was in the hospital for 5 days.”

    NHTSA complaint #10325164, filed 2010-04, 104,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbags did not deploy in crashes

    • 7 complaints (11%)
    • median 122,500 mi at 9.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2000–2016

    Owners describe crashes in which the front airbags did not deploy, including a rear-end collision, a head-on impact with another vehicle traveling at about 35 mph, a collision with a building after the car surged forward, and a crash in which the car left the road and flipped. Some say the dealer wanted to inspect the car before a claim was submitted and did not offer a loaner vehicle in the meantime. In some reports the driver was wearing a seat belt, and injuries are described. Mileage is listed in only some of these reports, at about 95,000 to 150,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for any post-crash inspection or airbag repair records and request a fault code scan of the airbag system before buying. Check the vehicle history report for prior crashes, since these airbag complaints involve collisions.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My son was traveling northbound on I-75 near bruce b. Downs blvd in tampa fl at approx 2:30 am on 9/26/2008. Another driver attempted to enter his lane and he swerved into the far right lane to avoid being struck losing control went off the road. The vehicle left the road at approx 70 MPH, went airborne, landed straight down then did an end to end flip approx 20 yds off the highway into the woods, coming to rest upside down. He was driving a 2000 Toyota solara se, vine #. He was wearing his seatbelt; however, the airbag did not deploy. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10243943, filed 2008-09, 95,000 miles

    “Consumer was sitting still, about to make a left turn and another vehicle came head-on traveling 35mph. Airbags didn't deploy. Dealer wanted to cehck vehicle before claim was submitted. Dealer wasn't offering a loaner vehicle.”

    NHTSA complaint #873075, filed 2000-10
  5. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Musty or moldy odor from the ventilation system

    • 5 complaints (8%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • filed 2000–2008

    Owners describe air vents that give off a musty, dirty-rag, or mildew smell, and some say the smell appeared right after a car wash. Complaints attribute the odor to mold, mildew, and bacteria growing from moisture trapped in the system, and dealers reportedly said the vent design limits airflow and encourages condensation. Some describe a sulfur-like smell with recirculation switched on, and some link the smell to allergy flare-ups or migraine headaches. Mileage is listed only for the sulfur-smell report, at about 70,000 miles, and other reports tie the smell to moisture in the ventilation system.

    What to check: Run the fan on each setting, including recirculation, and check for musty or sulfur odors before buying. Ask whether the ventilation system has been cleaned or checked for moisture and mold.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I had a passenger who remarked that there was a sulfur smell in passenger compartment of car when recirculation air is switched on. I had noticed it before but didn't know what to think about it. I've had lots of migraine headaches over the past 5 months. When I mentioned to a mechanic he said it was probably due to the sulfur dioxide poisoning me.”

    NHTSA complaint #10245997, filed 2008-10, 70,000 miles

    “Consumer complains of a mildew smell coming from the ventilation system, dealers have said that the specific design of this vehicle has a reduced area for ventilation which encourages condensation and moisture to be trapped inside .”

    NHTSA complaint #557248, filed 2000-11

Buying note. Before buying a 2000 Camry Solara, test drive the car on fresh air and recirculation and check the brakes and tires closely. Ask the seller for brake, tire, and airbag repair records and run the VIN through the official recall lookup, since complaints describe problems in each of these areas.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 53 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 66 consumer complaints for the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara. 30 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 10 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 71 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (3), Equipment (2), Exterior lighting (2), Fuel system (2), Other or unknown (2), Seats (2), Engine (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Steering (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I have complained about my brakes on my solar 2000, the dealer ship here in rapid city, south dakota they will laugh at me, they don't do any thing . I tell people if any thing happens to me in my vehicle it will be because of the brakes. I have my brakes done every year, and I just had them done and I still have problems with noise and sometimes no brakes at all. I get my brakes checked three times a year.”

NHTSA complaint #10273964, filed 2009-06, 4,843 miles

Engine cooling: “I have a Toyota solara, 2000. Had to get engine replaced at 77,000 miles. Now they say it needs $3800 in emission repairs. Many other vehicles that have had engines replaced are now experiencing emission problems. This matter needs investigated!”

NHTSA complaint #10115992, filed 2005-03, 77,000 miles

Tires: “Complaint against costco automobile tires: purchased 4 costco tires in 2006. They were filled with nitrogen. Not told that all air must be nitrogen air put in tires. Filled tired with regular air. Major car problems with shaking of steering and fumes and smell and tires hot to touch. Told by mechanic that when I put in air in nitrogen filled costco tires it caused a chemical reaction. Major safety issue. Thankful I was lucky, but who will be the next victim and will they be so lucky? Something needs to be done to hold costco accountable for filling tires with nitrogen as it is a safety issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10193361, filed 2007-06

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Problems with vehicle leaking. Nar 07/28/2003. The vehicle sunroof leaked. The vehicle has been taken to an independent service station several times for repair but the leak recurs. The vehicle tail light was inoperative. The dealer cleaned the connector and replaced the bulb. There was a musty odor coming form the A/C duct. The dealer added fridge fresh.”

NHTSA complaint #10032220, filed 2003-07

Mileage when problems were reported

43% of the 30 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 27,450 and 91,000 miles.

10%0–1010%10–2523%25–5023%50–7513%75–10010%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (30 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 55,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’01’0311’05’07’09’15’20
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2000 Toyota Camry Solara version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Camry Solara FWD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual212924$2,800
Camry Solara FWD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202823$2,900
Camry Solara FWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual182621$3,200
Camry Solara FWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172520$3,350
Camry Solara Convertible FWD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202823$2,900
Camry Solara Convertible FWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172419$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 71 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 71 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Camry Solara

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20088340,0002—25Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
200712656,8872—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200611647,0002—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20059246,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200416153,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20032468,0000—23—Stable
20026070,0000—23Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20015382,5570—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20006655,0001—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19998495,0000—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Toyota Camry Solara model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara?

Owners of this 2000 Camry Solara most often describe brakes that lose stopping power or assist, tire bubbles, bald tread, or blowouts, and sudden unintended acceleration or movement. The issues reported most often: Brakes that lose stopping power or assist; Tire bubbles, bald tread, or blowouts; Sudden unintended acceleration or movement.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara have?

NHTSA recorded 66 consumer complaints for the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (14% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 8.

Has the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara (Camry Solara, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2000 Toyota Camry Solara reported?

Among the 30 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,000 miles and the middle half falls between 27,450 and 91,000 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.