1999 Toyota Camry electrical problems

Filed Feb 26, 2019 · Electrical, Seat belts · 205,000 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

I turned on rear defrost and within few seconds back seat was on fire. Window burnt seat and seat belt also burned hand. It appears to have been a possible electrical cause. I figured a fuse would blow prior to a fire inside car. Had I been on fwy I would have not been lucky gas tank is inches below fire .

Filed Nov 14, 2017 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · TN

For several years, the check engine light has been coming on and we have been told it was the gas cap. Our mechanic has tried many solutions to repair this and hundreds of dollars later, we are now being told it is a common problem to this vehicle - the evaporation vapor canister. Upon further research, this piece was part of a lawsuit against toyota that toyota lost. We can not afford to pay over $400 for a part so that it passes inspection. Especially when toyota knew this part was a problem. Toyota should be responsible for the repair of this part.

Filed Apr 25, 2017 · Electrical · NY

For several years, the check engine light has been coming on and we have been told it was the gas cap. Our mechanic has tried many solutions to repair this and hundreds of dollars later, we are now being told it is a common problem to this vehicle - the evaporation vapor canister. Upon further research, this piece was part of a lawsuit against toyota that toyota lost. We can not afford to pay over $400 for a part so that it passes inspection. Especially when toyota knew this part was a problem. Toyota should be responsible for the repair of this part.

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 220,000 miles · NC · fire

1999 toyota camry le 4cyl starter failed to disengage from flywheel causing fire. The starter kept running burning it out and also burning the positive cable to the battery. Damage to the battery is under investigation. I was sitting parked in a parking lot with the radio and the air on when I observed smoke coming from the engine then started to come into the car thru the air conditioning. I turned the car off but the smoke continued and the fire dept was called. After looking at the internet this seems to be a widely known issue with multiple postings. I have not seen a recall on this. It needs to be investigated. My insurer said that my claim will be denied due to mechanical failure. Toyota needs to he held accountable.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 141,389 miles · IL

This car is definetly a lemon ive put more money into than the car is worth and still doesnt work the dealer rock chevrolet knew of issues with this car but still sold it tried to have it fixed thru them but they were rude and wouldnt do it.

Filed Apr 6, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 162,247 miles · NC

My daughter was on her way to school on the morning of 3/28/2012, when our 1999 toyota camry started to accelerate on its own. My daughter tried to stop the vehicle by pressing the brake as hard as she could but the car continued to accelerate. She put the car in neutral and the engine's RPM's went to the maximum. The car at that point must have blown a piston rod or valve, oil was spraying inside the engine compartment. She made an attempt to bump the accelerator pedal several times to see if it would release. The car was stalled on a main street with emergency flashers on. She again tried to start the car and RPM's went to the max and the at that point smoke started rising from under the hood. Several people came to see what was going on and tried to help traffic move around the vehicle. I arrived at my daughters location and with the help of others pushed the car several hundred feet into a residential drive way. I have now towed the car back to my home and need help to determine what the root cause for this failure was. I am very reluctant to make repairs to this vehicle knowing that this could happen again. As I review other vehicle acceleration complaints for the same make and model, I want other 1999 camry owners to be aware that this type of acceleration problem can and does occur. We are very lucky our daughter did not suffer any injuries or cause any deaths with this vehicle. The final mileage is at around 162,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2010 · Electrical · 145,000 miles · TX · fire

While driving home, the radio began skipping similar to a scratched cd when hitting a bump in the road. The radio was tuned to fm, not playing a cd. The same sound was heard four months earlier, but not since then. Suddenly the doors automatically locked and the engine cut off. The car was restarted and pulled onto a side street, where smoke was observed coming from the front of the hood on the driver side. Upon exiting the vehicle, noticed flames coming from under the hood. The fire escalated and fire department was called. They were able to put out the fire, but the front half of the car was consumed. Car was totaled.

Filed Aug 13, 2010 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · NJ · fire

Our son was driving our 1999 camry on a major highway when all of the lights came on at once-check engine, check oil, check tires. Then there was a ding sound and a loud pop. The car shut off. He was able to move to the shoulder of the highway and exited the car. As he went to open the hood he realized it was on fire. He called 911. The responding state trooper tried to extinguish the fire but couldn't. By the time the fire department arrived the car was fully engulfed. We have properly maintained our camry at our local garage, who has the records on file. Luckily only objects were lost, our son is fine.

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Electrical · 75,024 miles · CA

Despite being regularly maintained, very well taken care of, not abused, and less than average use (average 6700 mi/yr), this toyota camry (purchased new from a toyota dealership in torrance, california) has never worked properly for long. The factory-installed cd/cassette/radio system has been replaced three times, and now the cd player part yet again does not work at all. At only about 10000 miles, the air flow ratio sensor and manifold had to be replaced. Then there is the fact that about 95% of the time, the car will not start without the accelerator being depressed and held for 1 min, and even then the engine always sounds weak and only reaches about 500 RPM until pressing on the accelerator again. This has been going on since the odometer read 16603 miles. That was when the idle air control valve was first replaced. The situation seemed to improve, until 34800 miles, when the same problems with it not starting and being very weak resumed. At 35394 miles the idle air control valve was replaced for a 2nd time. At 47000 miles the same problems resumed. At 49180 miles, the car would (as usual) not start unless the accelerator was pressed for 1 min. Then it ran at only 500 RPM. As it was then being driven out of an alley, the engine suddenly spontaneously boosted to 1200 RPM, nearly causing a collision. This type of impetuous acceleration started frequently occurring. Toyota refused to help with this problem, only saying to use premium gasoline, which proved to not solve the problem. Now the entire electrical system of the car has collapsed three times at 72173 mi, 75009 mi, and today (2010-03-11) at 75024 mi. The dishonesty of toyota personnel is seen in its refusing to address the problem and earlier in fraudulently canceling the maintenance program that was part of the purchase of the vehicle after the car was paid for and its refusal to respond to written communication.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Electrical · IL · crash · fire

On aug 10, 2004 my sister was driving her 1999 toyota camry when it inexplicably drove off the w. Bound lanes of il I '74' at mi marker 115. It traveled 921 ft crossing the median, I '74' e. Bound lanes, up a hill, eventually striking a tree where the car became engulfed in flames, burning my sister to death. A witness statement by a semi truck driver stated that he saw sparks coming from the undercarriage. I attended the coroner's inquest where the factual matters were presented including a toxicology report. Her death was ruled an "accident".