IllustrationAfter an alignment my steering wheel is not straight. If held straight, the car goes off the road to the right. Took it back, now it goes off to the left. Sitting still the steering wheel will turn 360 degrees around and hangs in spots when turning it back.
2001 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
2825–50K
2250–75K
2975–100K
27100–150K
15150K+
146 reports with mileage · 126 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
70 crash reports11 fire reports40 injury reports
Steering complaints
13 reportsTHIS IS NOT A TAKAMA RECALL COMPLAIN. IT IS REGARDING MY CAR THAT HAS BEEN ID' THAT IT IS 2000 YEAR MAKE CAR, THE LOCAL DMV DID MADE AN INSPECTION AND CONCLUSION WAS THAT IS IT 2000 - DUE TO SOME STICKERS EVERYWHERE - ON THE DOOR, ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND OTHER PLACES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE AND DECREASE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING, BRAKES, AND ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE AND DECREASE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING, BRAKES, AND ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL SINCE THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASE HAVE HAD MANY FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND WHEEL BAL PLUS CHANGED TIRES THREE TIMES. STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM TO THIS DAY. *TR
IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD AND THE TEMP OUTSIDE WAS AROUND 70. I MAY HAVE DRIVEN THRU A PUDDLE JUST BEFORE I TURNED MY CAR , AS I TURNED MY STEERING FROZE UP, LIKE I LOST POWER STEERING ONLY WORSE, I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT MY CAR SO I HAD TO STOP MY CAR. AFTER A FEW SECONDS I WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE STEER…
Read full complaint
IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD AND THE TEMP OUTSIDE WAS AROUND 70. I MAY HAVE DRIVEN THRU A PUDDLE JUST BEFORE I TURNED MY CAR , AS I TURNED MY STEERING FROZE UP, LIKE I LOST POWER STEERING ONLY WORSE, I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT MY CAR SO I HAD TO STOP MY CAR. AFTER A FEW SECONDS I WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE STEERING AGAIN. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE STEERING PROBLEMS WENT WAY. THIS STEERING PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR WHENEVER IT'S VERY WET OUTSIDE, WHEN IT'S RAINING HARD. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A AUTO MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE BELTS AND STEERING FLUID AND SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL. *TT
I OWN 2001 CAMRY LE. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENTS HAPPENED BUT I'M TIRED OF FIXING IT'S WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THE CAR PULLS ON LEFT. I REPLACED EVERY POSSIBLE PARTS SUGGESTED. I DID THE ALIGNMENT FROM SEVERAL PLACES SUCH AS SEARS, FIRESTONE. THEY DON'T FIND ANY PROBLEM IN THE ALIGNMENT REPORT BUT WHEN I DRIVE, THE CAR HEAVILY PU…
Read full complaint
I OWN 2001 CAMRY LE. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENTS HAPPENED BUT I'M TIRED OF FIXING IT'S WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THE CAR PULLS ON LEFT. I REPLACED EVERY POSSIBLE PARTS SUGGESTED. I DID THE ALIGNMENT FROM SEVERAL PLACES SUCH AS SEARS, FIRESTONE. THEY DON'T FIND ANY PROBLEM IN THE ALIGNMENT REPORT BUT WHEN I DRIVE, THE CAR HEAVILY PULLS ON LEFT SIDE. I HAVE TO REALLY HOLD THE STEERING TIGHT TO KEEP THE CAR ON ROAD OR IN A LANE.. *TR
2001-TOYOTA CAMRY: THERE IS A BURNING ODOR WHEN CAR IS OPERATING. THE IGNITION DOES NOT ALWAYS START THE CAR UPON INSERTING AND TURNING THE KEY. MANY TIMES WHEN TURNING THE KEY, THERE IS A HIGH SCREECHING LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR REMAINS NON-OPERATIONAL FOR A FEW MINUTES WHICH OCCURS EVERYDAY. AFTER THE CAR IS RUNNING FOR APPR…
Read full complaint
2001-TOYOTA CAMRY: THERE IS A BURNING ODOR WHEN CAR IS OPERATING. THE IGNITION DOES NOT ALWAYS START THE CAR UPON INSERTING AND TURNING THE KEY. MANY TIMES WHEN TURNING THE KEY, THERE IS A HIGH SCREECHING LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR REMAINS NON-OPERATIONAL FOR A FEW MINUTES WHICH OCCURS EVERYDAY. AFTER THE CAR IS RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20-MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, THERE IS A BURNING SMELL SIMILAR TO BURNING RUBBER. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR NEAR THE FLOOR ON DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL BECOME WARM. IT APPEARS HEAT IS GENERATED FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THUS RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR. UPON ACCELERATION, THE CAR HAS A JERKY, PROPELLING MOTION FORWARD. STEERING COLUMN HAS SOME STIFFNESS AND AT OTHER TIMES IT HAS LOT OF PLAY WITH TURNS. THE POWER/ELECTRIC WINDOWS, CLOCK, AND CD/RADIO PLAYER DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THESE DEFECTS/FAULTS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER USED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AS VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS IS, I DID NOT RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DAILY IGNITION/START PROBLEM, OTHER PROBLEMS DESCRIBED ABOVE, HAPPEN APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES A MONTH. REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICE MAINTENANCE ARE PERFORMED HOWEVER ALL ABOVE PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO CONCERN ME. *TR
HAVE HAD A STEERING WHEEL VIVRATION SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2001. HAVE HAD WHEELS BALANCED AND ALIGH IN PAST AND PURCHASED NEW TIRES AFTER 18,000 MILES TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP. NOTHING HAS. STILL HAS VIBRATION. CALLED TOYOTA IN 2001 NO HELP RESOLVING PROBLEM. 8JB
WHILE DRIVING 31 MPH THE STEERING VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A TREE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN, DEFECT IN RACK AND PINION. *JB
Official recalls
201V072000 · Structure:frame And Members
Mar 5, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
01V012000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Jan 16, 2001
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 EVENTUALLY BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE02079 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI'S DATA ANALYSIS FOUND THE FIRES RATES TO BE CONSISTENTLY LOW AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG SIX MODEL YEARS AND SIX DIFFERENT ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS.ODI EXAMINED A VARIETY OF ROOT CAUSES, THOSE BEING DETONATION (RESULTING IN OIL PAN PUNCTURE FROM CONNECTING ROD), STARTER FIRES, VARIOUS FUEL RELATED FIRES, LEAKING OIL FILTERS, WIRING ISSUES, IMPROPER REPAIRS AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.NONE OF THE ISSUES EXAMINED HAD REPORTS THAT INDICATED A TREND WHEN NORMALIZED FOR POPULATON AND EXPOSURE.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS.