Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
To whom it May concern: this is not a formal complaint. It is a matter of concern that might be shared by other1999 Toyota owners. While the news is extensive in reporting the issues involved in uncontrolled acceleration of select later model Toyota automobiles, I believe an aspect of an earlier Camry has the potential of causing an accident. I have a 1999 Toyota Camry for which I have experienced several occasions when the accelerator (gas pedal) will not depress as intended. Several attempts are necessary to have the car respond to my desire to increase speed. This situation is the opposite of that now being publicized; however, it is equally dangerous. For example, should I find myself in a situation where I need to accelerate to avoid an accident, I have doubts as to the response of the car, that is, will it increase in speed sufficiently in time to avoid a potential collision. …
Please pay attention to the two accidents that I have experienced. I purchased my Toyota Camry in 2003 and loved it. I have been driving for 57 years and never had an accident. On October 11, 2007, I drove up my daughter's driveway, came to a stop (my foot was on the brake) and was putting my car in park when it suddenly accelerated into and crashed thru the closed garage door! I finally came to a stop after crashing into the hot water heater and a work table, putting a big hole in the wall behind it. A cabinet fell on the driver's door and the broken garage door closed onto the rear of my car. Luckily I was not injured beyond bruising and stiffness. More importantly, I am relieved my grandson was not in the car with me, or worse, had not come into the garage when I honked for him. This happened in seconds and was terrifying. My foot was on the brake the entire time! …
April 30, 2003 on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - my 1999 Toyota 2.2l 4cyl Camry le VIN number [redacted] ceased to operate at jfk international airport. The engine with a very loud noise (such has gears under pressure that just gave way) stopped abruptly while smoke came out and the oil spilled all over the place. After having the car towed back to rockland Toyota the next day I later was informed that there was a significant sized hole on the engine and was shown broken the pieces. The car was always serviced at rockland Toyota since its purchase from Toyota north (all based in new york). My Camry has had symptoms relating to oil sludge in the engine. Persistent drifting/pulling to the left or the right, uneven wear of tires with need for early replacement, premature brake component wear, including rear brake drums, and vibrations, ESP. At speeds above 50 MPH since its purchase in 1999.
Dt: the consumer believed the brake problem the problem concerned ABS pump. While driving the brakes failed. Every two-three months this problem occurred, at least twenty times. This problem first started in September 2001. The first documentation was for May of 2002. There have been several near accidents, but none as of yet. The dealer was unsure of the exact problem because they were unable to find it. They have told the consumer numbers possibilities, but still has not fixed the problem. Also, there was also a problem with the engine. They changed the timing belt because of engine noise. They told the consumer that there was a problem with the water pump and it was changed. The consumer had a report from the dealership. But, not all of the times that vehicle was taken to the dealer was included in the report. …
Without warning, I.e. Squealing, sounds, etc., I experienced increased stopping distance when I pressed the brakes to avoid a collision. When I returned the car to the dealer/service, they stated that the front pads are metal to metal. The car has 89,000 miles and the brakes and portions of the braking system have been replaced on average every 8,000 miles. This has been the eleventh time that there has been brake problems with this car. The front brake pads are being worn prematurely. There is usually a lot of brake dust and crystallized or solid material falling from the front brake pads. The dealer/mechanic/service has stated various reasons for the brake failures each time, but the problem is never resolved. This car has ABS.
This vehicle has had at least 2 brake repairs per year since the initial repair done prior to 20000 miles .rotors have been replaced twice, and this is the most brake repairs I have ever had on any vehicle I have owned. The last mechanic who worked on the car recommended replacing the calipers because they seem to be a problem in these cars. I have complained to Toyota and they say they have not heard of any problems in this year vehicle. I find this hard to believe when mechanics are telling me otherwise. I have always been a Toyota enthusiast, but I am concerned about the apathetic response I have gotten from them.
The cruise control was set just over 70 MPH and the vehicle accelerated on it's own. The vehicle reached 90 MPH. When the brakes were applied, the cruise control did not disengage. The ignition was turned off and the engine finally quit. 20 minutes later the vehicle was started and redlined. The cruise control module was replaced. (denso cruise control actuator, Toyota 88002-06020, serial#mx100300-6040 12v, made in Mexico) the consumer had the brakes replaced months before the incident, however the heat produced caused the rotors to warped.
ABS braking system engage immediately upon braking with no impending skid resulting in increased stopping distance and dog being struck. Pavement was dry and I could have avoided the accident if the car did not have overly sensitive ABS brakes. I compained to the selling dealer about this when the car was new and was told this is normal and not a problem. The ABS has activated on several other occasions when it shouldn't have cause loss of control but no accident. ABS should be reprogrammed to only activate when there is an impending wheel lockup.
Brake complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Toyota Camry, 17% of the model year's 501 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Toyota Camry brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 Toyota Camry, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Camry brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 1 fire and 13 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.