2000 Toyota Camry Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe unintended or sudden acceleration and a sticking accelerator pedal, often at low speed in parking situations or when pulling away from a stop, and many mention the cruise control was in use beforehand. The second recurring theme is brake work — pulsation, grinding and worn rotors — followed by airbag non-deployment in collisions reported at higher mileages. Most complaints in the sample come in between roughly 25,000 and 130,000 miles.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Sticking accelerator pedal and unintended acceleration

   • 95 complaints (21%)
   • median 86,839 mi at 9.5 yrs old (61 state mileage)
   • 34 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2019

   Owners describe the car lurching or surging forward without warning, while parking, backing up or just after releasing the brake at a light, sometimes with the pedal feeling stuck and needing a hard push before the car moves. Some say braking did not stop the car in the moment, and several traced the behavior to a corroded accelerator cable housing that a mechanic replaced. Dealers and the manufacturer are described in several complaints as saying no fault was found or that they could not assist. Reported across a wide mileage range from about 10,000 to over 300,000 miles, most often at low speed in parking lots or when pulling away from a stop.

   Recall 01V012000

   What to check: Ask whether the accelerator cable and its housing at the cruise control actuator have been inspected or replaced, and test the pedal for sticking points after a stop. Also confirm whether campaign 01V012000 was completed for the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My accident/injuries because the defects/flaws of my car: brake systems, accelerator pedal, unintended acceleration, speed out of control, cruise control systems, electronic throttle systems...I have the car fixed, repairs sometimes (records at dealership). They replaced computer board...but still have a problems... My issues are about my Toyota Camry/model 2000 got accident/injuries on oct. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10313051, filed 2010-02, 31,000 miles

   “I was braking to pull into a head-in parking spot. Even though I had my foot on the brake, the car jumped the parking guard, proceeded over the sidewalk and ran into a building. This is the only time anything like this has happened, but with all the Toyota troubles, I thought I'd better report it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10318993, filed 2010-03, 50,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Check-engine light and emissions control faults

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   A cluster of complaints describes a check-engine light with an evaporative emissions code, traced to the charcoal canister or a vent control valve, and in one case an EGR vacuum switching valve that was linked to hesitation when shifting into gear. Separately, one owner reports the engine failing with a rod through the block and no warning light while oil and coolant levels were normal, and another reports an engine-bay fire while driving. Reported between roughly 20,000 and 105,000 miles, with the emissions-related light appearing during normal driving and the engine failures occurring at highway speed.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the codes behind any check-engine light and whether the canister, EGR valve or ignition coil packs have been replaced. Check oil and coolant levels and look for leaks or a burnt smell under the hood before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine caught on fire and car was declared totaled. I was driving in my neighborhood when I smelled horrible burning odor. I put window down to see if someone was burning brush outside. Once window was down, smoke started to pour into driver's compartment, and then I saw the smoke from under the hood of the engine. I immediately pulled onto side street, shut off car, grabbed purse and keys, and ran. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10313271, filed 2010-02, 105,000 miles

   “Check engine light came on in my wife's 2000 Toyota Camry le, 4 cylinder. Dealer charged $72 for diagnosis and recommended replacement of charcoal canister due to emissions vent control system malfunction, code po 440. I didnt get it done. Did some research on the internet and see dozens of similar complaints from Toyota users. Cant Toyota correct this problem, as its obviously a design or manufacturing flaw?”

   NHTSA complaint #10086180, filed 2004-08, 73,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 64 complaints (14%)
   • median 97,308 mi at 9.8 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 57 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2025

   Owners report frontal collisions at moderate speeds in which the airbags did not deploy, including impacts that destroyed the vehicle; some also describe the airbag light staying on after start-up, particularly in cold weather, with a dealer recommending a sensor replacement. Complaints describe injuries in some of these crashes and note that dealers offered no assistance or were not contacted. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles, though the airbag warning light complaints appear at much lower mileage and often in cold weather.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light comes on briefly and then goes out at start-up; a light that stays on points to a sensor or circuit fault. The service bulletins describe general SRS inspection guidance only, not a repair for non-deployment.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving home from work, this guy in a blue hyundai would stay in his lane, so I sped up to get around him, in turn he started racing me, so I went a bit faster to get around him, was about to round the corner so I went to slow down and my rear end fishtail, I hit the guardrail and spun out. Both my crumple zones on the back and front were affected but my airbags did not deploy! Thankfully I'm just really sore and not seriously injured!”

   NHTSA complaint #11414801, filed 2021-05, 233,000 miles

   “Air bag light comes on at start up and stays on when weather gets cold. Defect does not occur in summer. Also if vehicle is warmed up or kept in a heated building or the weather is warm the air bag light does not come on at start up and stay on. Dealer says must replace sensor.”

   NHTSA complaint #10107621, filed 2005-01, 25,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation, grinding and worn rotors

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe pulsation through the pedal when braking, grinding or screeching noises, and in a few cases stopping distance that felt longer than expected. Owners report rotor replacement, cracked rotors found after a shop visit, and replacement of rear pads and drums; one dealer is described as finding no problem on inspection. Others mention brake noise and dust returning after cleaning or service. Mostly reported between about 15,000 and 60,000 miles, often noticed during routine braking in traffic or when pulling into a parking space.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the rotors and pads measured and inspected for scoring, cracks or uneven wear, and ask for service records. Several of the listed bulletins address noise from a specific pad type rather than this symptom generally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When approaching a parking space, the driver pressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle crashed into a store window. Vehicle was taken to the dealer. The consumer contacted the manufacturer who replied by saying that the incident was not the result of any type of manufacturer design or defect. The manufacturer wants to close the case.”

   NHTSA complaint #10063111, filed 2004-04, 33,035 miles

   “Brakes make a loud gridding sound when applied. Have had serviced and there is a large amount of brake (dust) residue located in brake drum. Removed and cleaned but condition reoccurs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10127727, filed 2005-07, 15 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifter cable and reverse shift quality

   • 18 complaints (4%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2023

   Owners describe the shifter becoming disconnected from the transmission so the car would not move, with a shop identifying a snapped or corroded shifter cable, in one case in a salt-belt state. Others report rough or delayed engagement in reverse and hesitation when shifting into drive, with a technician recommending transmission replacement at the owner's cost. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 145,000 miles, and the cable failures appear more often in vehicles driven in salted-road climates.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test each gear position, including reverse, for immediate engagement, and have the shifter cable inspected for corrosion or fraying. Ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I pulled into the parking lot where I work, I stopped and put the car in park to let another car pass me and then into reverse to back up and straighten out in the parking spot. When I did I could feel that the shifter was no longer connected to the transmission, the car would not move. I was lucky that I had put the car in park first so it wouldn't roll. I had a friend who is a licensed mechanic look at the car and he showed me the broken end of the shifter cable. This never happens , he said. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10232578, filed 2008-06, 68,000 miles

   “Vehicle seems to have trouble with transmission (automatic). Rough when driving in reverse. Toyota technician suggested that transmission be replace at cost of owner.”

   NHTSA complaint #10093302, filed 2004-09, 143,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the accelerator cable and pedal feel, brake rotor condition, airbag warning light and transmission shifter cable, and confirm the 01V012000 and 00V154000 campaigns were completed. With a vehicle of this age, maintenance records and a compression or leak check are worth requesting.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.