Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
1999 Toyota Camry soon after we purchased our 1999 Toyota Camry my wife and I noticed that every time we went over the speed bumps in our apartment complex at very low speeds we would hear a noise - a click/clack at the left front tire - not loud but distinct. I called the local Toyota dealer - stevens creek Toyota and described the issue to the service manager & requesting an appointment. He assured me that this is simply the brakes that are "being seated" and not an issue. The noise continued and became louder with time. As this point we were beyond the warranty period. I took the car into melody Toyota and asked the mechanic to diagnose the issue as the noise was much louder and occurred whenever we go over any pothole etc, not only bumps.. The mechanic reported that this was a broken strut arm or stabilizer arm. …
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.
It appears that a good portion of Camry and solara (both cars share same platform) owners are experiencing a clunking noise that occurs in the front. What does it take for NHTSA to extend the power of consumers to get Toyota to admit to its fault, and take full responsibility? TSB#: su00299 TSB#: 012199 TSB#: su00100 given that the massive amount of 1997-2001 Camry's sold, I am confident that there are many frustrated owners who wish to have this problem resolved at the expense of Toyota motor sales. Some owners have experienced the problem early, within the 3yr/36K mi. Warranty period, while others are left in the cold to pay about $300 to pay for the repairs. Considering that this is a manufacturers defect and not primarily wear and tear, I believe Toyota motors corporation has the obligation to extend its warranty to address this issue. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving over a bump the vehicle makes a clanking noise. The vehicle has been to an independent repair shop where the strut was replaced, but this did not repair the problem. The contact indicated that shortly after the warranty expired a persistent clanking sound was noted in the front suspension. An independent garage diagnosed it as a failed strut which was replaced, but the noise continued. This was a common complaint for the car and subsequent model years. The contact claimed the Toyota dealers were aware of the defect which was the result of a defective strut mount design. However, repairs were at contact's expense, not the dealers. The total repair cost was $400. A call to Toyota failed to obtain any information regarding safety implications.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while traveling at speeds of 45 MPH there was an unusually loud noise coming from the vehicle. The dealer advised the suspension stabilizer bar had failed. The dealer made repairs to the stabilizer bar, struts and suspension system. The failure recurred within two years and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer advised the motor mounts would need to be replaced, as well as other unknown components within the suspension system. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000 and the current mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.
Front strut failure on xle v6 Camry. Noise began around 32,000 miles. Strut plates replaced at owner expense at 42,000 miles and all four struts then replaced again at owner expense at 59,000 miles. Manufacturer contacted and refused assistance "in this case." indication from other reports on net and manufacturers' knowledge of problem that this was, indeed, a common problem with that model year and style of Camry.
My Camry has 30,000 miles on it and it is falling apart! The screws have fallen out of the doors three time and the Toyota dealerships only solution is to put silicone in the screw holes which now causes the the doors to squeak. The car is dragging the ground as a result of poor struts. I continue to get the run around with the manufacture.
A rattling noise is coming from the front suspension of the car. Attempts have been made to repair it including replacing all struts. Noise has been noticeable since the car had approximately 32,000 miles. Much money wasted on ineffective repairs. Rattle continues to get worse.
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. …
The front headlights do not illuminate road properly. They have been adjusted by the dealer at least four times. The lights still do not illuminate the road properly and are a safety concern. Front suspension shakes aggresively (often at highway speeds) making driving very dangterous. Several attempts to correct by dealer. Problem still occurs. All four tires wore completely out in less than 12,000 miles. Front end pulled strongly to right. Dealer tried to corred several times. Front end now pulls to the left. Rear end "bangs" and "bottoms out" often while at speed. Dealer suggested that this safety concern is "typical" of this car. The transmission has failed to hold car while on an incline at least twice. Was not able to duplicate for dealer. Rear door has never closed properly. Dealer has attampted several reapirs. Door still "creeks and pops" when opened.
Suspension complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Toyota Camry, 7% of the model year's 501 complaints. The component named most often is front (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Toyota Camry suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 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.