Most common 1999 Toyota Camry problems
Share of the 501 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Camry complaints by model year
Best Camry years: 2022, 2017, 2024. Years to avoid: 2009, 2018, 2007, 2002, 2008. Compare all years →
1999 Toyota Camry recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1999 Toyota Camry:
Engine compartment fire
Odi's data analysis found the fires rates to be consistently low and evenly distributed among six model years and six different engine configurations.odi examined a variety of root causes, those being detonation (resulting in oil pan puncture from connecting rod), starter fires, various fuel related fires, leaking oil filters, wiring issues, improper repairs and brake fluid leaks.none of the issues examined had…
Engine seizure
What 1999 Toyota Camry owners say
Engine & cooling all 115 →
As I was driving to work, at 7:30 am on Thursday April 22, 2004, I noticed a clicking sound coming from under my auto's hood. The auto was a 1999 Toyota Camry, with about 90,100 miles on it. The clicking noise reminded me of a spinning roulette wheel. After a few minutes, the noise increased in intensity. At that point, I decided that I needed to go to a repair facility to have it examined. As I was doing that, there was a loud, explosion-like noise and the engine started smoking very heavily. I pulled off the road, at which point, I gathered up some important items from my car, and exited the vehicle. By this time, there were flames coming out from under the hood. I called 911 and advised the dispatcher of my circumstances and location. The connecticut state police arrived within three minutes of my call. They tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but were unable to do so. …
At about 3 pm I was driving north on the on ramp of route 15 north at mira mesa. Suddenly my car accelerated and would not stop. I moved to the right where there was room. And despite pushing hard on the brake, I could not stop the car. I moved to the guard rail hoping to slow the car, which il did, but the car bounced off the rail and side swiped a white Lexus. Then the car came to a stop. A workman saw the accident and confirmed the pattern of what occurred. He checked with me and the driver of the other car and we both said there was no injury. He refused to identify himself. Both cars were able to drive away without difficulty. When I got home I checked that the floor mats were in the proper place and not near the accelerator. I feel that there was a defect in the operating system of the car to cause this sudden acceleration.
Brakes all 85 →
I reported this to complaints.com on 11/12/2005 but wanted to also submit it to you due to all of the news lately. In November 2005, my parents were driving their 1999 Camry and pulling slowing into a parking spot. Just as they were about to complete parking and only going less than a mile per hour, their car accelerated very fast, left the curb and crashed into a building. We asked about if sudden acceleration could be investigated at this time but were told it couldn't. The car was totaled. My mom was injured (blunt force trauma to her chest) but recovered fairly soon after. She did go to the er. My dad, who was driving, was OK but following the accident was stressed due to worry about my mom's injury and having their car totaled since he was sure he hadn't done anything wrong.. The airbag did not deploy. …
My daughter was traveling north at 40 MPH, and she turned around briefly to check if her little brother was buckled in his seat belt. When she turn back around the car was on the curve and she slammed on the brakes as hard as she could to stop the car, but the car wouldn't stop and preceded to accelerate. She went through partially two brick walls, knocked down a stop and street sign, and the car flipped a couple of times. The car ended up landing on the passenger side, leaving the car left side up. My daughter suffered injuries to the neck, back, and her knees were cut from the glass of the window in a result of the car crashing. Luckily, my son suffered no injuries. I am very concerned, why did the brakes fail in my daughter's attempt to stop the vehicle.
Air bags all 74 →
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.
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.
1999 Toyota Camry engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Toyota Camry a good car?
Based on 501 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Camry rates average: 16% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Camry at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Toyota Camry?
The engine & cooling — 115 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (85) and air bags (74).
How many recalls does the 1999 Toyota Camry have?
There is 1 recall for the 1999 Toyota Camry, the most recent from January 16, 2001 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Camry?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2017 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009, 2018, 2007, 2002 and 2008. See the full Toyota Camry years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Camry problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 81,000 miles; 22% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.