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 1999 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced for an oil change and driving an additional 800 miles, the contact discovered that the vehicle was burning oil rapidly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Purchased my car used on 2002. The car never had any problems until in January 2004, the charcoal canister needed to be replaced. This was at the same time the A/C system needing to be replaced. The A/C system was covered under an extended warranty, however the emission problems were not. I have had problems with the check engine light continually going on and off since this has been replaced. I have taken it back to be checked, the mechanic tells me there is nothing wrong with my car. However, the light continues to arise. The light stayed off for approximately 2-3 months and has now started its on and off again show. The research I have begun has opened my eyes to a whole new world of charcoal canisters being replaced as fast as people change underwear. This replacement cost about $467-/ with labor. As far as I can tell this is the going rate for this job. …
My car is 9 yrs old, 109,000 miles it's on the lower end of the recommendation mileage for the year of the car. On 9/3/08 first day the check engine light ever came on. I got nervous went to advanced auto parts and they checked the light, it showed something was wrong with the air flow. Check engine light went out after 3 days. Brought it to Toyota for repairs of some other items and mentioned the check engine light going on and then off. They checked it but wasn't sure if it was reading correctly. 4 days later came back on again and went out 3 days later. 2 days passed and then it came back on again and remained on ever since. I brought it back and they told me it was a charcoal canister failure and it would cost $450, I was upset because I just got $968 worth of repairs and maintenance done. I always keep up on my maintenance work/oil changes. Is this a faulty part from Toyota? …
Engine light comes on from time to time on its on due to failures of the charcoal canister/evaporative solenoids. The charcoal canister seems to be a common complaint. The car will run just fine (depending on the type of failure), but if you have emissions testing, the car will fail. Many Toyota owners seem to be having this similar trouble due to some flaw in the Toyota icu programming. If you search on the net for the similar problem, many links will show up. ----------------- http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliability.aspx?year=1999&make=Toyota&model=camry&trimid=-1 ----------------- http://www.cartrackers.com/forums/live/Toyota/600.html. -----------------
Upon seeing the "check engine" light on I took my 1999 Toyota Corolla (50,200 miles) to a local Toyota dealership for diagnostics. The report indicated that the charcoal canister needed to be replaced. The repair costs are almost $500 with labor. This part is not under warranty past 3 years and 30000 miles. Although this is not a safety issue, it is an environmental and fuel efficiency concern and I think that the company should include it in its extended warranty. I am trying to shop around for a cheaper estimate. I have performed all the recommended maintainence schedules and am concerned that this was not addressed during routine maintainence.
My 1999 Toyota Corolla has its check engine light on for the two years. The code is p0446/0441 and when winter comes it goes away and re appears in summer. I first noticed that around 36000 miles. The dealer says it is a canister problem, but could be something else and I see that there a lot of Toyota owners who are seeing the same compliant. Also for the last 2 days I see that the seat belt not put sign start to flash even if you have the seat belt on.
Corrosion caused the failure of the driver's side bolt holding the muffler strap on both my 1998 and 1999 Toyota Corolla in April 2004 and April 2005 respectively. Fortunately I was at low speed in 2004 so the damage wasn't great and in 2005 my wire fail safe prevented an exhaust drop. Stainless steel is required for this fastener or more muffler holding devices.
Oil light came on at $60,000, kept loosing oil even though I had regular oil changes at the dealership. Found out car is burning oil and it is going to cost me $750 to replace valve seals (which May or May not fix problem). Toyota will not cover this because warranty time is up. I will never buy another Toyota!!!
My engine failed while driving on I 95. Lack of oil to the engine because of a broken timing chain was the stated cause. Oil had been recently changed and when checked was full on the dipstick. Milage 64,000. Manual recomends checking the timing chain at 80,000 miles.
Dt: EVAP cannister also called a charcol cannister failed at 67000miles on car. The engine check light kept comming on and now the car will not pass inspection. Dealer told her it was due to design flaw in EVAP cannister. Has not contacted manufacturer yet.
Engine complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Toyota Corolla, 14% of the model year's 155 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Toyota Corolla engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Toyota Corolla. 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 Corolla engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries 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.