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 2001 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The vehicle overheated and stalled, I steered it to the roadside to call for a tow. Speaking with insurance tow service the car started to smoke from the front passenger side under the hood. As I supplied information the smoke volume increased from the front passenger side under the hood. Smoke volume continued to increase and a crackling/burning sound started. I told the agent I have to go and called 911. I supplied details of the area where the increasing smoke was coming from, the car location and my status. In the car I pulled the hood lever, went outside and stopped short of opening the hood. Realizing I had no means to put out the increasing fire I had to watch my car burn until firefighters arrived. I walk a distance away and waited, while the whole engine compartment went up in smoke....updated 09/22/15 updated 11/06/2017
I was traveling in my Toyota Camry 2001 on I 75 s from royal oak to detroit, mi around 2:30 am on September 6th 2009 ,when suddenly I heard some cracking noise underneath the hood and fire from underneath the hood. I was traveling at around 70 miles/hr and tried to steer the vehicle to wards the shoulder and power steering failed and I saw engine light blinking, then tried to slow down and brakes failed. I quickly used hand brake and stopped the vehicle. I quickly turned off the ignition and tried to open the door and noticed that it was locked. I quickly pulled both the knobs simultaneously and got out of the car and called 911. By the time fire engine came to the scene, the car was on huge fire. My car didn't have any major issues in the past. I did change timing belt as per the company guidelines and at authorized dealer/service center. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
I have 2001 Toyota Camry 4 cyl le model. Many times when I begin my trip from my home my car accelerates even I have my foot off the gas pedal. It only happens within first few miles and then the problem goes away. I have a stop sign close to my home and before nearing the stop sign I lift my foot from gas pedal and car will accelerate and then I have to step on my brakes to stop it by the stop sign. It is very tricky in winter when there is ice on road. Since I am aware of this issue I do not step on gas at all till I hit the first stop sign. Once the car is running for a while the problem seems to go away. I wanted to bring this to the attention as I firmly believe that there is something more than sticky pedal. Since the problem goes away after few minutes of driving. That clearly indicates that the problem is not with sticky pedal. …
The whole instrument panels lights and stereo begin flickering on and off and cuts out the stereo like turning it on and off when this happens. There seems to be no reason or rhyme as to when or why it happens. It has happened numerous times and occasionally smell a burning smell which seems to go away if I turn everything but the motor off. I am also experiencing the headlight lenses are fogged and have poor visibility. When I mentioned the problem to the dealer they said they would just switch it out with another vehicles headlight. They claim to have done this but it looks exactly the same to me.
Vehicle hesitates when accelerating and stalls out when attempting to stop vehicle. Power brakes fail to work properly once call stalls out creating a hazard. No injuries or crashes to date but in fear of one occurring. Dealership has made many attempts to correct the problem with no success as of 11/11/04. Replaced the computer module, spark plugs, wires, fuel injectors & clean valves to no avail.
Speed sensor melted with plug and kept blowing 10a gauge fuse witch gauge stops working windows won't go down and battery will die if not handled and the vehicle was in park this will happen once you turn the key just turn the key the vehicle was not started just the key was turned into the on position then the fuse will automatically pop
2001-Toyota Camry: there is a burning odor when car is operating. The ignition does not always start the car upon inserting and turning the key. Many times when turning the key, there is a high screeching loud noise and the car remains non-operational for a few minutes which occurs everyday. After the car is running for approximately 20-minutes down the road, there is a burning smell similar to burning rubber. The inside of the car near the floor on driver side and passenger side will become warm. It appears heat is generated from the engine into the inside of the car thus resulting in burning odor. Upon acceleration, the car has a jerky, propelling motion forward. Steering column has some stiffness and at other times it has lot of play with turns. The power/electric windows, clock, and cd/radio player do not work properly. …
Symptoms: 1. Rear lights off warning comes on the dashboard 2. Check warning light comes on with code 1780. (neutral switch on the automatic transmission has a problem) 3. No brake lights or reverse light on in the trunk area only when applying the brakes. 4. Brakes vibrate when slowing down around 10mph to stop like your tires are riding a very rough surfaces. 5. Reverse light comes on in the shift gear indicator when applying brakes to shift from park position. Initial attempt to fix this problem: changing the reverse light bulbs and brake light bulbs, but problems continue to remain as describe in the symptoms. 2nd attempt by mike gerber from website www:\\automotiveforums.com. He reported there is a loose wires connection or frayed wires at the hinge of the trunk on the driver side. …
Brake lights come on in late p.m. Hours and recycle on and off till battery finally dies. Unknown if they come on automatically when driving. Has been to dealer 5 visits totalling 19 days, 3 times had to be towed due to dead battery. Dealer unable to find problem. Toyota customer notified 4 times, still no call back. Atty. Gen./mass. Lemon law notified also. Still waiting for my vehicle to be repaired--we hope!
Electrical complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Toyota Camry, 7% of the model year's 272 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Camry electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2001 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 2001 Toyota Camry electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 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.