Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
@45,679 miles, the (plastic) driver door handle popped of the car when lifted without thumb just enough to begin to open the door. This was during the beginning of a big snowstorm. Luckily I was not idling the engine while cleaning the windshields or I could have been locked out of the car with the engine running. Now I must drive with 2 keys. The original owner of the vehicle, my mother was [redacted] when she bought it on 10/31/1999 for $23, 470 with 8 miles on the odometer; salespeople never mentioned the door handles were plastic. The failure was complete fracture all at once, not progressive; I suspect the plastic strain hardened from repetitive stress, making this a design defect rather than material quality. The driver's door latch is a safety issue; now I must struggle to enter the car, and you never know where you might be when you need quick entry, like in a rain. …
2000 Toyota Camry caught on fire August 7th, 2018. I was driving on a city street and my radio kept going on and off while driving, I noticed the check engine light came on so I pulled into a parking lot and parked the car. I turned off the car and started to smell smoke. I opened the hood and the engine compartment was on fire on the right side near the battery. I was able to get a fire extinguisher and put the fire out but I have significant damage. I have not seen a recall on this issue but my car should not start on fire. I submitted a claim to Toyota (claim# 180808-000043) asking if there is a technical bulletin. Toyota sent their inspector and he noted the starter failed to disengage from flywheel causing fire. The starter kept running burning it out and also burning the positive cable to the battery. Toyota did not share a copy of the report with me. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. The contact stated when he parked the vehicle he noticed smoke was coming from under the dash on the passenger side behind the blower motor. The contact stated that the resister that control the heater burned. The contact powered off the engine to stop the smoke. The contact stated that the vehicle had no power due to the burning plug. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the resister sensor plug and blower motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called bergaron Toyota (1600 n stephenson ave, iron mountain, mi 4980) and was informed to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 204,950.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shut off and there was a smell of smoke. The contact also stated that the vehicle was unable to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the started was burned to the battery. The battery, the starter, and the wires were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
My accident/injuries because the defects/flaws of my car: brake systems, accelerator pedal, unintended acceleration, speed out of control, cruise control systems, electronic throttle systems...I have the car fixed, repairs sometimes (records at dealership). They replaced computer board...but still have a problems... My issues are about my Toyota Camry/model 2000 got accident/injuries on oct. 2004 because the car had many problems are: rough of cruise control systems, rough speed/RPM, gas pedal, brake, rough idle, suddenly accelerated - without pressing a gas pedal. I hit the car and my front bumper is almost felt off. It costs over a thousand dollars to replace but my injuries is no money to replace its back to normal, my auto insurance not paying my medical bills any more...
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. He stated there was an irregular noise coming from the engine while driving at unknown speeds. The contact shut off the engine and removed the keys from the ignition,however the engine continued running for approximately five minutes before shutting off.. In addition, he noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they advised him that the starter remained engaged when the contact shut off the engine and the started needed to be replaced. The starter was replaced at the contact's expense. The failure and current mileage were 128,147. Updated 10/27/10.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. The contact purchased an aftermarket everstart plus 36r (na) battery, upc code: 681131441896. While driving approximately 30 MPH, smoke emerged from the engine compartment. The contact had to pull over to the side of the road. The fire and police departments were present. The fire was extinguished. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer of the battery was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Upon slowing down to exit the highway, there was a loud bang from the engine. The consumer pulled over to the shoulder. Then smoke started coming from under the hood, and flames were underneath the vehicle. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was totaled. The vehicle is currently at the insurance company. They are inspecting the vehicle to determine the cause of the fire.
Myself along with my 16 year old brother, son 9, and daughter 5 were driving Sunday morning on our way to san diego to attend the padre game when suddenly on the highway 15 we heard a load pop, so I proceded to get off on the adams off ramp, when my lil. Brother screamed it's a fire! And he dashed out getting my daughter out while I struggled to get my son out the car then someone pulled over told us to get in the car and as we drove to the top of the off ramp my car exploded, no crash nothing had it not been for my lil. Brother thinking fast who knows what would have happed, my car was and is still under toyotas warranty. I'm waiting to see why this happened this should not have happened!! My family shouldn't have had to go through this. I hope that Toyota and my insurance company handle this asap!
My Camry has an added spoiler, not sure weather it was factory or dealer installed. The brake light that is normally in the rear window was left hanging in the trunk as it was superseded by the one in the spoiler. The bulb was left installed as it caused a brake light fault on the dash when disconnected. Last week when I had a full trunk we started to smell smoke and could not figure where it was coming from. We found that a cardboard box in the trunk had come in contact with the unused bulb which had burned a hole through the box when braking ,but fortunately it did not ignite. I will contact the dealer tomorrow to see if they can relocate the bulb to a safe location.
Electrical complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Toyota Camry, 7% of the model year's 454 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Camry electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2000 Toyota Camry, though it has 2 recalls 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 2000 Toyota Camry electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 14 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.