Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately respond after the gear shifter was shifted into reverse(R). The contact stated that there was a hesitation before the vehicle responded. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred after shifting into drive(D). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) vacuum switching valve needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not drivable. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 232,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer however, it was not stated whether or not the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the EGR lines, oxygen sensor, and drive cycle. The contact stated that the failure recurred every year. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
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. …
I was driving home from work, this guy in a blue Hyundai would stay in his lane, so I sped up to get around him, in turn he started racing me, so I went a bit faster to get around him, was about to round the corner so I went to slow down and my rear end fishtail, I hit the guardrail and spun out. Both my crumple zones on the back and front were affected but my airbags did not deploy! Thankfully I'm just really sore and not seriously injured!
On Sunday February 21, 2010 my daughter who was driving her Toyota Camry 2000 model sees her battery indicator light go on without warning. Then the car stopped completely and started to smoke out from the engine. Without any further indicator lights displaying the engine flamed out and shortly thereafter the entire front of her car spontaneously exploded. The car had received its timely inspection and maintenance and there was no indication from the reports that showed that this vehicle needed any further mechanical workup . Due to the common sense of our child she had stepped out of the car when it had started to smoke out and did not suffer any injuries. The necessary emergency crews had to shut down the surrounding residential roads and the 2 gasoline stations that this event had occurred outside of and we were all lucky that there were no casualties.
Engine caught on fire and car was declared totaled. I was driving in my neighborhood when I smelled horrible burning odor. I put window down to see if someone was burning brush outside. Once window was down, smoke started to pour into driver's compartment, and then I saw the smoke from under the hood of the engine. I immediately pulled onto side street, shut off car, grabbed purse and keys, and ran. Person in street told me car was on fire, which I hadn't been able to see, because the flames were pouring out from under the engine onto the street. I ran and called 911 from cell phone. Two fire trucks came within 5 minutes, and it took them 20 minutes to put out the fire. The engine was totally melted down. I could have died as a result of fumes or being burned and was lucky I wasn't on a highway at high speeds.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. When the vehicle was started, it failed to drive. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called pappas Toyota at [phone] (located at 10011 spencer rd, st petes, mo 63376) and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. While driving at any speed, the vehicle accelerated independently. In addition, while the vehicle was parked, the rpms increased to approximately 1,900-2,000, then decreased back to normal, and increased again. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
When making a right turn and braking suddenly as in a busy parking lot, the engine will accelerate with a loud roar while my foot is solely on the brake and I franticly shift to neutral. Sometimes on a curved road with a traffic light the engine will accelerate while my foot is on the brake trying to slow the car for a red light. This has happend numerous times.
I purchased a 2000 Toyota Camry ce (VIN # 4t1bg22koyu962183) with a 4 cylinder engine, 5 speed manual transmission in February of 2000. Friday, July 3, 2004 around 6:15 am I was driving this car to work on rte 495 south in hudson, mass. Without warning, I heard a pop under the hood and suddenly there was a loud explosion. White smoke was pouring out the rear and dark smoke from under the hood. I was driving 65 MPH down a steep grade, in heavy traffic. I quickly began pull into the brake down lane. I applied the brakes but the brake pedal went to the floor and the clutch pedal was also to the floor. I slowly applied the parking brake and managed to get the car stopped. I had flames coming from under the hood and smoke coming into the driver s compartment. The traffic that was being blinded by the smoke and the road had guardrails so I could not pull completely off the road. …
NHTSA investigations
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
Engine complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Toyota Camry, 14% of the model year's 454 complaints. The component named most often is engine (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Camry engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 12 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.