Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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.
I was about to pull out onto route 23 s. In wayne nj. I was app 35 feet in front of a store. I placed the Camry in park for a second. I then went to place the car in drive. All of a sudden the car started going in reverse straight toward the store. I could not stop it. You never know how you are going to react in a situation that comes on you suddenly. Anyway, I opened the car door to get my bearings and was more than half-way out the car. My left leg was also out of the car. I had one hand on the steering wheel. At the last second, I turned the wheel and missed both the store and parked cars. My car crashed into a fence. I was not hurt but was shaken up. Toyota said there was nothing wrong with the car. They would not let either myself or my mechanic in while it was inspected. …
On June 12, 2010, my Toyota Camry (yr 2000, 4 cyl, ce) made a strange sound from the engine at 60-70 MPH on an interstate highway. After another 30 min of strange sound coming out from the engine, the engine below started to make loud cranking sound. I pulled in to the service road of the highway and after a few more cranking sound, the car was completely disabled. I called the police to get it towed to a nearby town. On June 14, I arranged to have the car towed back to my hometown 120 miles away. The Toyota dealer inspected the car and said that the differential part of the transmission was totally damaged. The service person said that it is out of ordinary for a car of this type and mileage to have transmission breakdown. I have kept the car under regular maintenance ever since I bought the car in 1999. …
As I pulled into the parking lot where I work, I stopped and put the car in park to let another car pass me and then into reverse to back up and straighten out in the parking spot. When I did I could feel that the shifter was no longer connected to the transmission, the car would not move. I was lucky that I had put the car in park first so it wouldn't roll. I had a friend who is a licensed mechanic look at the car and he showed me the broken end of the shifter cable. "this never happens", he said. The cable is made to last for the life of the vehicle. It is very strong. It just doesn't break. When I ordered the part from the dealer, I was told the same thing again. He also said the he has never even heard of one breaking! I can only assume that there must be a defect. I don't drive alot of miles, and I do not drive my car hard. I live just outside of boston, ma.
When applying the brakes to my well-maintained 2000 Camry v6 with 88,000 miles on it, the car often shudders and vibrates just before it comes to a stop. I usually have to put the car in neutral to eliminate the vibration, but that is a very unsafe tactic. The dealer replaced a wheel bearing but that had no effect. Now the dealer thinks that the shudder/vibration problem is caused by the transmission and it has to be replaced at a cost of $5000-$6000, which is about twice what the car is worth. It is hard to believe that the transmission would fail so early unless it was defective. Since the problem occurs during braking, it clearly is a dangerous problem.
2000 Camry automatic transmission occasionally and randomly "slips" between first & second gear while od is on. Engine revs 5K to 6K RPM but no acceleration. Setting overdrive to "od off" re-engages transmission. Occurrences more frequent over the last two weeks. "check engine" light comes on sept. 3rd, but is off again next day. After a $75 diagnosis, dealer explains the "check engine" code refers to a torque converter problem and points to a speed sensor malfunction. Replacement will be $120 for the part plus additional $70 for installation. Part is on order, to be installed upon arrival.
Consumer has only owned the vehicle for 35 days, put vehicle into park with vehicle still running. Consumer took foot off the brake, and several minutes later, vehicle jumped backwards, hitting a vehicle. Had noticed gear shifted to reverse by itself. Transmission was locked into reverse gear. Consumer put foot on brakes again tryingto shift gear into drive, but gear would not move.vehicle suddenly accelerated foward with foot still on brakes. Consumer had to pump brakes in order to stop almost hitting two pedestrians. Dealer claimed there was no defect.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. The automatic transmission failed when he attempted to shift into reverse gear and the vehicle would not move forward when the accelerator pedal was engaged. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where they rebuilt the transmission at his expense. He later contacted the dealer and was told that the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the warranty was not valid and offered no further assistance. Complaint 1010212163 was filed with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 58,000.
The vehicle is not working properly ive made several attempts to get the vehiclefixed they said I have no warrenty after they said it did I refuse to continue with a vehicle that malfunctions.when I got the vehicle they just pressured me to sign without even explaining to me what was in the contract. Also now they incresed my loan
Dt*: the contact stated after starting the vehicle, the gear shifter was placed in drive and the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, where it was determined the transmission shifter cable snapped due to corrosion. The cable was replaced. The vehicle was located in a salt belt state.
Transmission complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Toyota Camry, 7% of the model year's 454 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Camry transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.