10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 44,304 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
1999 Toyota Camry. While traveling, the driver claimed to have heard a noise and lost the ability to steer the vehicle. The driver went off the left side of the road, struck a median barrier, came back across three lanes, went off the right side of the road, struck a guardrail and then came to rest partially in the right lane. According to the wrecker the driver, there was nothing wrong with the steering. However, there was damage to the engine that was not a result of the crash and that could have possibly caused a problem with the steering. (Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0359-90) updated 08/05/10
- New Castle, PA, USA
I bought my Camry brand new and have always kept up with the regular maintenance scheduled. However, over the years I've had to have the charcoal canister replaced at least three times and valves replaced twice. On Oct. 4th while driving on the freeway, with no forewarning, I heard a loud noise and followed by a plume of white/blue smoke. The engine immediately shut off and I was able to pull over on the shoulder in time to avoid and accident. The resulting total engine failure caused me to have to have the car towed. Now I'm discovering that this has been an ongoing problem with my kind of engine and it was quietly settled with those who have the 2000 year engines. The same problem existed in the 1999's and has been totally ignored. This is awful!
- Cleveland, OH, USA
The car was bought brand new. This is the history of the 1999 Camry (problem: Engine light comes on each time): 1/24/2007 Goodyear auto--replaced charcoal canister and control valve $549.19 7/12/2007 Goodyear auto--replaced purge valve $134.24; charcoal canister replaced under warranty 11/8/2008 Toyota dealership--replaced charcoal canister and purge valve (Toyota says they still have to charge for this repair, even though it was replaced earlier) $656.75 2/9/09 Toyota dealership--replaced control valve--$142.34 in summary, charcoal canister was replaced 3 times, purge valve replaced 2 times, control valve replaced 2 times--all in a span of 2 years. Toyota service representative justifies it by saying it is a "revised" part.
- Acworth, GA, USA
Engine blew out on freeway. Engine failure diagnosed as sludge build up leading to thrown rod and crankshaft. Rod busted through crankcase. My 1999 Toyota Camry was one of Toyota's flawed engine designs suffering from a known oil gel build up problem --fe four cylinder and 1mz-fe V-6 engines.
- Oak Lawn, IL, USA
My Camry showed the exact 3 signs of oil gel list in settled class action suit: Excessive oil consumption, blue smoke, & engine light on. Settled class action settlement says Toyota should fix/pay. Toyota Inc. Denied claim. Class action settlement clearly includes my 1999 Toyota Camry 4cyl. Toyota should authorize the $3000 of repairs needed on my Camry and should pay for the repairs as they were directed to by a court of law. I'm just glad I noticed the 3 signs of oil get & brought it to a nearby dealership service department before something terrible happened to my family. In Minnesota last week, one Camry-owning family was not as fortunate: During rush-hour on one of Minnesota's busiest highways, a Toyota Camry came to a full stop and was rear-ended by a semi. As a result of injuries sustained when the family's Camry was rear-ended, a 4 year old girl died. I don't know if that Camry was one of the Camry covered in the oil gel lawsuit. I do know that if it's one of the Toyota Camry that has engine damage that, if undetected by owner, will cause the engine to seize at highway speeds. These Camry do come to a complete stop on freeways.
- Prior Lake, MN, USA
Problem with 1999 Toyota Camry: In trying to pass a vehicle on a country road, the engine literally blew a hole. The RPM was just a little over 4,000. Thankfully, there was no vehicle coming from the other side and the other drivers on my side quickly slowed down to let me come back to my side of the road. Otherwise there could have been a major accident.
- Waxhaw, NC, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that her vehicle caught fire without warning. She parked the vehicle and one half hour later, the police arrived to find that the fire department had extinguished the fire. The dealer stated that they have never heard of this before. A police report was filed. The engine size and powertrain were unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 42,000. Updated 06/08/07.
- Massapequa, NY, USA
I have a 1999 Toyota Camry. I changed my oil consistently before every 2500 miles or 3 months, however the oil in my engine still "slugged" or "gelled". I visited my local Toyota dealership to have it fixed and they informed me that the problem was common amongst Toyota Camry's and that they could not cover the engine damage for me unless I provided receipts as proof that I changed my oil every 2500 miles or 3 months since the day I purchased the car. I had not been keeping my receipts as my fiance would often change my oil for us. Needless to say, I had to spend over $2,000 replacing my engine only to later find out that the problem was much more common and severe than I had been told and that Toyota does in fact recognize the defect and offers to fix it complimentary. I learned this while I was out car shopping (at a different dealership) since I no longer feel safe on the road in my unsuitable Toyota Camry. My old engine has been replaced but the new one is not working properly. My mechanic told me it's because the defective part that caused the engines to gel up has now been removed from replacement engines. There is now a noticeable banging noise coming from my engine. I am completely disgusted with the way I was treated by my local Toyota dealership. I was sold a car with a known history of defective engines and the car manufacturers refuses to fix it for me. What type of scam is this?
- Riverview, FL, USA
1999 Toyota Camry check engine light came on. The consumer had the oil changed, air fuel ratio sensor replaced, front brake pads and rotors replaced but none of those repairs solved the problem. The dealer suggested that since the consumer 's vehicle wasn't driven much that carbon may have been building up in the valve area. The dealer cleaned the valve area and cleaned the throttle body and fuel injection but the check engine light came on again. ** ans required***
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
While driving the vehicle threw a rod. This caused the vehicle to catch on fire on September 23, 2005. There was a report taken by the fire department, but the consumer was unsure if a police report was taken. There was no previous warning before this occurred. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. They did not tell her what they thought caused it, only that it was not due to sludge build up in engine. There were no injuries.
- Elgin, TX, USA
Getting check engine light too frequently on a Toyota Camry 1999 model. Had to replace charcoal canister and the problem still persists
- South Riding, VA, USA
The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for a tune up and after the tune up the dealer took the vehicle for a test drive and the engine blew out. The dealer informed the consumer they would replace the engine. There was knocking, the vehicle would not run. The original motor rod had come apart. There was no sign of misuse. The oil was okay and there was no sign of why the rod had come apart.
- Slidell, LA, USA
I purchased a 1999 Toyota Camry in January 01. Approximately, 18 months later, my vehicle suffered engine failure. I was advised by the Toyota dealership that the damage was due to excessive sludge in the engine. I completed regular oil changes and maintenance on this vehicle. Additionally, the warranty only partially paid for the damage. I was forced to pay about $2400. Even though my warranty should have covered everything less the $500 deductible. I have been informed that Toyota recognized this problem and said that it would pay for these damages. I am interested in investigating if I can have the funds I paid refunded to me.
- Cleveland, OH, USA
The engine light came on, the dealer discovered, the charcoal canister needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that this was a defect part that is covered under federal emissions control.
- Oak Forest, IL, USA
The radiator was empty, and here were traces of antifreeze on the inspection plug on the timing over. As I explained upon our intial meeting, this indicated that there was a definite loss of antifreeze, with a definite possibility of water pump failure and corresponding timing belt failure. However, when I did the initial tear-down of the timing area, I found a rather surprising scenario. The timing belt was intact. There were none of he usual oil leaks from the cam/crank seals. The belt was in excellent shape. The water pump had suffered a catastrophic bearing failure. In fact, I found pieces of metal in the timing area, as well as a few of the ball bearings from the water pump shaft bearing. The timing area also had traces of antifreeze (oem antifreeze) from where the water pump had been leaking prior to the failure. As per our discussion, I proceeded to tear the engine down further to inspect for other possible damage. At this time, we were simply expecting to find a warped/possibly cracked cylinder head. Upon removing the necessary components required to remove the head, and removing the head itself, I inspected the block, cylinders, and pistons. The inspection revealed that the pistons had suffered severe damage. There is over thirty thousandths of clearance between the top edge of the piston and the cylinder wall. The top piston ring is clearly visible. Therefore, I must declare the engine a loss. In fact, I have made the observation that Toyota vehicles using the oem antifreeze usually had far fewer cooling system problems of any kind. In their vehicles. I have two Toyota pickups. One has a reman engine. It has oem antifreeze and an oem oil filter. To make a long story short, I feel in my opinion, and my experience, that this problem is a manufacturer defect. What the manufacturer can and will do for you I do not know.
- Dallas, TX, USA
While pulling inside of a parking space the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle but was only able to start the vehicle by applying the accelerated and brake. Then the vehicle started. The driver was able to drive it home. The driver contacted the dealer for an appointment. Please provide any additional information.
- Westminster, CA, USA
Starting in Dec. '03, I heard fluid circulating throughout the engine in my "99 toy. Camry (V6), esp. From a stop. The toy. Dealer told me my coolant level was low, but found no leaks, and added more coolant. Several weeks later, the sound came back and became worse. The car began to idle rough and the temperature gauge ran high. I had the car towed to another toy. Dealer, who informed me that I had a blown head gasket, which in turn caused severe engine damage. I had to have a new short block installed, along with a new oil pump and water pump.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
While vehicle was moving at a speed of 60 mph and engine inadvertently locked up.
- Gilbertsville, KY, USA
While at a stop consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the engine. Consumer pulled over to check the problem, and saw that the engine malfunctioned. Consumer had the vehicle towed to dealership, but dealership did not resolve the problem.
- Norcross, GA, USA
- Tampa, FL, USA