Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Toyota Camry. While driving at 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal remained stuck after being depressed. In addition, all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated and only the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel seized. As a result, the contact was involved in a crash. The details of the crash were not available. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was informed that the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was 109,000.
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.
Car pulls to left after new tires , 3 different alignment checks. Went on-line and discovered numerous complaints and few solutions. This is dangerous and little help from dealers. You have to maintain constant pressure on wheel when driving at any speed to stay in lane.
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
On 5/29/99, I applied the anti-lock brakes to avoid a collision with a vehicle that cut me off on a highway. Immediately, the car swerved across the highway violently and spun in 360 turns twice before being hit by two cars and crashing into a jersey barrier. Not only did the anti-lock brakes fail, but the steering locked up and none of the airbags (front or side) deployed. The car was totaled. My fiancee and I sustained minor injuries. A driver of another car hit us and crashed into the jersey barrier, sustaining significant injuries.
2 years ago, more or less, I adjusted the driver's seat and the steering wheel of my 1999 Toyota Camry le. Since that time, on occasion, I am unknowingly turning on the cruise control which is a button on the end of an arm off the steering column. I cannot reset the seat and steering wheel position to fit me but I am very worried that having the cruise control operating my car when I don't know it May be a very dangerous situation for me and my car.
Toyota does not fix their cars properly. I brought my 1999 Camry in for a repair to the steering column, they "fixed" the problem, but put my steering wheel back on incorrectly. The dealership is hard to deal with, and Toyota home office, will not get involved, as they state that each of their dealerships are individually owned and operated.
The consumer stated that the outer tie rod separated from the steering shaft which resulted in loss of steering. The threads are corroded on the steering shaft and the tie rod on the driver side. The tie rod threads were not apparent to vision when inspected. This was a known problem.
This car is a lemon. I have had five integrated relay's replaced and now it is out again. The headlight or the dash lights will work, but not both at the same time. Toyota said it was because I had a non-factory alarm installed. They replaced the alarm with a Toyota alarm and replaced the relay and it burned out the following day. They can't find the problem. The air conditioner has had a musty smell since the car was new. They spray the vents with "frigi fresh" and it's fine for a few days and the smell returns. They told me to spray simple green in the air intake once a week. That's a pretty poor remedy. The transmission will not hold on any incline. Sometimes the car will pull into the garage by it self and other times it will roll into the street. It depends on it's mood. The car lack power. Some days the car is peppy but most days it's a old mule. …
Steering complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Toyota Camry, 5% of the model year's 501 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Toyota Camry steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.