Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 538 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Toyota Camry, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 83 | 15% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 58 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 47 | 9% |
| Air bags | 40 | 7% |
| Power train | 35 | 7% |
| Tires | 32 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 4% |
| Suspension | 19 | 4% |
| Structure | 18 | 3% |
| Visibility | 17 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1997 N/A Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt mechanism had malfunctioned, and the retractor was not working properly. Additionally, the latching mechanism failed to latch
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
@45,679 miles, the (plastic) driver door handle popped of the car when lifted without thumb just enough to begin to open the door. This was during the beginning of a big snowstorm. Luckily I was not idling the engine w
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V156000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. In addition, the c
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owned a 1997 N/A Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while an acquaintance was driving approximately 45 MPH, the acquaintance crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The dri
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately respond after the gear shifter was shifted into reverse(R). The contact stated that there was a hesitation before the vehicl
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer however, it was not stated whether or not the vehicle was dia
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Driving lights and back up lights are not bright enough even when changing the bulb. The lights constantly dim while on. The front lights are always on no matter what time of day it is. The rear of the car sways danger
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THIS GUY IN A BLUE HYUNDAI WOULD STAY IN HIS LANE, SO I SPED UP TO GET AROUND HIM, IN TURN HE STARTED RACING ME, SO I WENT A BIT FASTER TO GET AROUND HIM, WAS ABOUT TO ROUND THE CORNER SO I
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2000 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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.
Risk: AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS COULD FAIL OR BREAK.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES.
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 | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 538 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 83 of them (15%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 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 72/100. 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.