1999 Toyota Camry LE from North America - Comments

Some of the newer camrys, which includes solara, have had wheel bearing problems in the rear- covered under 5yrs/60k

mile powertrain warranty.

The Toyota owner's manual requirements were developed by the engineers designing the vehicle and are specific to the engine. Auto mechanics will tell you to come in every 3000 - 5000 miles because the extra business that they get from those who come in frequently is their bread and butter. They get to do the tire changes, brake jobs and any other little defect that they can find when you bring it in for service. The manual on the other hand says you can change the oil in a Toyota every 7500 miles with no problems unless you primarily drive on dirt roads, tow heavy loads or do frequent stops and starts in subfreezing temperatures, then you need to change the oil every 5000 miles. If you follow the manual requirements and developed problems, then it is not because of oil changes, it is because of some other problem or defect. Smoke in exhaust, engine light illuminating, high oil consumption, or chunks of oil on your dipstick are all signs of an engine sludge problem which is serious. If your light is on, you should get the diagnostics read on it immediately. The good news is that Toyota has issued a special policy to cover sludge in the 1997 - 2002 Camry engine (as well as other Toyota and Lexus models) for 8 years, unlimited miles. Toyota modified the PCV system and engine head in mid-2002, so these components are the likely culprit in engine sludge development.

I have an 'O2 corolla with 80'000 miles. The check engine light came on, and the dealer said it was the fuel evap system, and everything checked OK. 80 dollars later, the light came back on, and the dealer said I should have them replace the charcoal canister, for 410 dollars. They want 270 for the part, and I am looking for a better deal on the part, to change it myself. Because of the high mileage I put on the car, I purchased the extended warranty, and funny enough... nothing that goes wrong,is included in this bogus warranty.

My 1999 Camry XE has had the similar "Check Engine" light on and off routine. It started around 45K, was on for a couple days, then went off. The dealer plugged it in to the computer and couldn't find anything wrong.

It came on again a few months later, and then went off after a few days. After a few more months, this pattern repeated again. Last month, I began to notice a rancid sulfur smell while accelerating. I suspected the O2 sensor, although I'm not sure a faulty sensor would produce this effect. (anyone??)

The light is currently off. We took in the Camry for a check on struts and shocks (they were fine), and had them plug in the engine to the computer. Although the light is not on right now, the computer identified the O2 sensor as the source of the light previously (although no such info was stored in the computer last year). As for the smell, they identified a leak in the exhaust into the trunk (a vent of some kind) and fixed it, NOT the O2 sensor as the problem. A few weeks from now I will check back in with you all to confirm the stinky acceleration is indeed gone.

I also had this problem with the engine light coming on. There is black smoke that is coming out of the muffler and smells like burnt gasoline. Finally when I am driving and I first take off it seems that there is not enough power until I hear the gear changing, when I stop the car it almost goes off and the engine keeps jumping.

All of these things started to happen the same day that I filled my tank while my engine was running, usually I don't do that. I also think that maybe all this is happening because I changed the brand of gasoline a month and a half ago. Is there somebody that knows what is going on with my 99 Camry.Thanks.

2000 Camry ran great very reliable. the front brake pads on the other hand have been changed countless times. that was very disappointing .

I currently own a 99 Camry and am having numerous problems with it. First of all it started out at about 55 thousand miles. I took it into the dealer here in Garden Grove, CA and thank god the vehicle was under warranty. They replaced the oxygen sensor and I was on my way. Another problem I have noticed with the Camry is that when you drive faster then 30 mph, it feels like it’s going to lose control. It’s hard to explain… The best way to describe it would be is it starts swaying when you slightly turn the wheel; it feels like it’s going to start spinning out our something, but doesn’t, it just starts rocking and then you have to re-control the car. Does anyone else have that problem with their car? I have replaced the tires 4 times on the car because it’s at 110,000 miles. Another major problem that I just ran into this week is the transmission went bad. I noticed that when I was pulling the car out of my garage it wouldn’t back up so I had someone help me push it out. Once I got it out it drove fine in Drive, but that’s it. The repairs to replace the transmission was 2500 bucks man is that a shocker. There have been other problems that seem to happen with this car. It seems to be to low also. Every time I go over a speed bump I have to crawl up it because the car smacks down on them making a huge “clunk”… I guess what I am saying is that this is the first Toyota I have ever owned that has had so many problems. I own two 2003 Camry’s, a 1997 Tacoma and Corolla. They are great, but this Camry just isn’t like a Toyota breed! Just wanted to share my comments on this Camry and see if anyone else has had problems with theirs. Just as an F.Y.I. I change my oil every 3000 mph or 3 months.

I have a 1998 Camry LE. I have just gotten done replacing the entire engine, the timing belt and a complete overhaul on my car. This has been the worst experience of my life and the most expensive one at that. When the Clicking in the motor started Toyota wanted $585 before they could even look at the car to see if warranty covered it. And I still need to replace the O2 sensor to get the check engine light to come off. Toyota has refused to even hold up there end of the warranty. All the work I had done to my car is all listed in my warranty. What else can be done?

I have a 1999 Camry. At 40,000 miles the suspension is shot. We bottom out on speed bumps. I talked to the service dept at the local Toyota dealer and found out this is real common. Its kind of funny they don't live up to the defects of the car, but when you see another one on the road it has the same problems as you. When the lights are on the right blinker is real fast. Four adults in the car will make it a low rider. You cannot control the car. I will never own another Toyota.

I own a 99 Camry with 76000 miles on it. It has been nothing but trouble since day one. Tires, brakes, lights, timing belt changed at 30000, suspension is gone, one thing after another. Just had it in for blue smoke out of the tailpipe at startup. The dealer says the valve seals are leaking and it would cost over $1000 to repair! He then says he would just live with it if it were him and not fix it. He insists it has nothing to do with the gel/sludge problem, but I just don't believe them. They should have recalled this model. I hate driving around in a time bomb, but can't afford a new car right now.

I own a 99 camry ce good reliable car.

But trying to deal with dealership another story

they are very arrogant they think they are doing you a favour to fix or service car. car now has 90000km

when weather cold power steering starts to stick

pump I guess.

I once was a happy Toyota owner under the illusion I had a reliable car. Until my check engine light came on one day. It would be months later that I would find out why. Because the codes P0440 and P0446 for the Evap control system didn't really suggest to me that the oil was turning to jello. The oil had been changed during the period the light was on and it stayed on. Then one day when I was going around an on ramp I noticed my oil light come on. This is somewhat of an early warning of low oil since all the oil is pushed to one side of the car around the bend. I thought this was strange since it recently had an oil change. Where the hell did the oil go? The car didn't smoke at all and there are no puddles under the car. I put two quarts in and nervously drove my car. Sure enough in about a week going around the ramp the oil light comes on again. Now I am sweating bullets. Two quarts in a WEEK. No puddle, no smoke. What did I buy a 2-cycle? So I started searching the web for disappearing oil and to my horror, lots of links about Toyota Camry's oil problem, oh wait, the customers problem. Wonderful, now I am expecting the engine to blow at any time. I couldn't be adding two quarts a week. So I adding some Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer. It claims on the bottle that the oil will not break down with this stuff in it. It is very thick. The stores have a little display, one with regular oil, and one with the additive. You turn the handle and gears turn. The regular oil just sits at the bottom. The one with additive climbs right up the gears. I put it last Friday and checked the oil Monday and it was holding. On my way home Monday I looked down at my dash a thought something was different. IT WAS!!! The check engine light was no longer on. I guess I don't need a $400 can of charcoal. Hard to say how much damage my engine suffered. It is fairly quiet. I never received the letter that was sent out. And I bought it at a dealer. I think I'll go trade it in at the Toyota dealer for anything, but a Toyota. You can have you oil boiler back.

Maybe Toyota can add another engine code.

P666 Your oil has turned to jello in the fiery hell of your engine.

Toyota doesn't even know how to fix there own problems. They rip people off by telling them to get a new charcoal filter that does nothing for the problem. Oh wait, it is a loose gas cap. Get real. It is all the nasty oil gasses created by an engine that runs too hot. Those gasses trip the fuel evaporation code.

Toyota claims it is all there customers fault for not changing oil enough. I don't know of any other car that blows up because you missed your oil change. You end with some really dirty oil, not jello. Search google with "engine oil sludge" and the only vehicle that shows up is Toyota. Why no one, but Toyota, they said it happens to everyone?

I don't consider that reliable!

Toyota doesn't want to pay fix their errors. But they will still pay. I don't think anyone who's oil boils away will be running out to buy another Toyota.

I own a 1999 Toyota Camry. I bought it used in 2001. I have a about 75000 on it. Three weeks ago the car emitted a horrible rattling sound and just died. I AAA'd it to my dealer and got a ride to work. Later that morning they called. I said, "How are you doing?" My heart sank when the voice on the other end of the phone said, "A lot better than you." Apparently the water pump went and wrecked the timing belt as well. 700.00 later I found myself a little stunned because I thought Toyota Camry's were supposed to be the most reliable car. Everybody I know who has owned one has never had to more than "change the oil, tires and brakes, regularly." My wife's sister has a circa 80's Camry with over 250,000 miles that she is only just now selling, and only because the exterior is rotting through from corrosion. She has never had to do anything major to the engine.

I was very interested to see the suspension comments on this site, because I have always felt that my Camry's suspension was a little shot and getting worse. But I had always chalked it up to driving on New England's pothole filled roads.

I really hope this water pump thing is not a sign of things to come. I bought my Toyota with the idea that I would have a care that is free from trouble for a long time.

I have a 1999 Camry and have had very good luck so far.

Lately the check engine light comes on and the diagnostic check

says to examine the canister purge system. I have heard about

the gas cap not being on tight enough, but that doesn't seem to

be the problem.

The latest thing that has happened is that the power-windows

system has only the driver's window in operation. I have

pulled and checked all fuses and they all check OK. Does

anyone out there have a clue as to what is causing this??

This is to inform all who may have seen my entry of a week ago regarding the apparent failure of all the power-windows except the driver's window. Well I'm 80 now and not too sharp. It turns out there is a button near the window switches that I was unaware of. I learned that it is there for child safety reasons. All is well now. I guess I'm like s lot of others and didn't get around to reading the manual -- but I sure did learn where all the fuses were. Good luck to all you Camry owners out there.