1999 vs 2000 Toyota Camry
Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.
Watch out for
Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check. Walk away if found marks a fault serious enough to walk away from the car.
1999
Nothing that 2000 lacks.
2000
Nothing that 1999 lacks.
Both years
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Engine oil sludge All years Walk away if found
What to check: With the engine off, look under the oil filler cap for sludge, and watch the exhaust at start-up for blue smoke. Ask for the oil change records.
In 2002 Toyota offered cover for sludge damage on 1997–2002 Toyota and Lexus models with the 3.0L V6 or 2.2L four, for eight years from first sale. A 2007 settlement covered Camry fours of 1997–2001 and V6s of 1997–2002, among about 3.5 million vehicles, for eight years and 120 days from purchase, ConsumerAffairs reports. Both have long run out. Samarins, an unofficial source, says to pass on a car that shows any blue smoke, and CarComplaints.com, another, lists a seized engine as the 1999's worst problem.
Work Truck Online, ConsumerAffairs, Samarins.com, owners' reports (unofficial)
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Knocking from the front struts All years
What to check: Drive over bumps and listen for knocks from the front, and look at the strut mounts and the anti-roll bar links and bushings.
Samarins, an unofficial source, says worn front strut mounts were common. An owner commenting under Curbside Classic's 1983 article reports a 1997 whose struts knocked against the body at about 100,000 miles, cured with new struts.
Samarins.com, owners' reports (unofficial)
Rare catches
1999
Nothing that 2000 lacks.
2000
Nothing that 1999 lacks.
Both years
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Rare
TRD supercharger kit Package
A TRD kit for the V6, 1997 to 2000 A published reference
Recalls
1999
Nothing that 2000 lacks.
2000
- 00V154000 2000
The rear axle may lack strength in places after poor heat treatment. NHTSA
Both years
- 01V012000 1998–2001
The accelerator cable housing can deform at the cruise control actuator, and the cable can wear through and break. NHTSA
What changed between
After 1999, up to and including 2000.
- 2000Facelift with a new front and rear. The LE gets 15-inch and the XLE 16-inch wheels, the four gains 3 hp, and JBL sound, automatic climate control and leather for the LE are offered. Edmunds, a published reference
What it came with
1999
Nothing that 2000 lacks.
2000
Nothing that 1999 lacks.
Both years
Colors
1999
- Sable Pearl 4N7, 1999 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Blue Dusk Pearl 930, 1997–1999 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Blue Velvet Pearl 8L3, 1997–1999 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
2000
- Lunar Mist Metallic 1C8, 2000–2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
- Graphite Gray Pearl 1C6, 2000–2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
- Constellation Blue Pearl 8N4, 2000 An owners' registry (unofficial)
- Sailfin Blue Pearl 8N7, 2000–2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
Both years
- Super White 040 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Black 202 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Cashmere Beige Metallic 4M9 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Antique Sage Pearl 1B2 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Vintage Red Pearl 3N6, 1999–2001 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
- Woodland Pearl 6R1, 1999–2001 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
What owners and buyers say
Reputation: what owners and the press report
1999
Nothing that 2000 lacks.
2000
Nothing that 1999 lacks.
Both years
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Avoid: Cheaper made than the 3rd gen All years Less sought after
SlashGear finds this one of the least troubled Camrys, with few complaints, investigations and recalls, but says owners don't praise it much and does not recommend one used. To Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, Toyota's savings left it plainer than the 3rd gen in both looks and build. SlashGear, Curbside Classic