Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 621 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Toyota Camry, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 108 | 17% |
| Air bags | 77 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 63 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 55 | 9% |
| Tires | 30 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 29 | 5% |
| Suspension | 27 | 4% |
| Visibility | 26 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 15 | 2% |
| Power train | 15 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
aftermarket drive side corner light will not stay on and work
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the headlights were dim while driving the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlights were replaced; however, the
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NOTHING HAPPENED YET, SINCE I CANNOT KNOW FOR SURE IF THESE ARE BAD AIR BAGS SINCE CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT AND REPAIRED WITH REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS IN PAST, SO NO WAY TO FIND OUT UNLESS TOYOTA PAYS TO CHECK THEM FIRST AND MAYB
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND TRAC OFF INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JACK TAYLOR'S ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA (703-684-0700, L
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE VEHICLE UPON START HAD GOT HEAVY. IT WOULD ONLY INCH UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION. THEN SUDDENLY AT TURNING, RETAINED NORMALITY AND BURST FORWARD
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 IN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 COM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE HEAD LIGHT HAVE VERY LOW ILLUMINATION AND BARELY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ACTUALLY ON AT NIGHT. THIS IS HAS BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY RISK TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT NIGHT. TOYOTA NEED TO RECALL THESE HEADLIGHTS AND FIX THE DESIGN FLA
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 Toyota Camry. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND V6 ENGINES, AND BUILT AT ONE OF TWO LINES AT THE KENTUCKY PLANT. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING COULD BE DEFORMED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR-TO-THROTTLE BODY CONNECTION. THE ACCELERATOR INNER-CABLE COULD WEAR AWAY AND EV
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE OR REMAIN IN ITS MOST RECENT POSITION REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE
| Reliability | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 621 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 108 of them (17%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.