2000 vs 2001 Toyota Camry

vs

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.

2000

Nothing that 2001 lacks.

2001

Nothing that 2000 lacks.

Both years

  • 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)

  • 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

2000

  • Rare TRD supercharger kit Package

    A TRD kit for the V6, 1997 to 2000 A published reference

2001

Nothing that 2000 lacks.

Recalls

2000

  • 00V154000 2000

    The rear axle may lack strength in places after poor heat treatment. NHTSA

2001

  • 01V072000 2001

    The front subframe may not have been welded properly. 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 2000, up to and including 2001.

  1. 2001Value Packages for each trim, daytime running lights standard on the LE V6, and the immobilizer standard only on the XLE V6. Edmunds

What it came with

2000

Packages
TRD supercharger kit (1997–2000) A published reference

2001

Packages
Value Package (2001) Edmunds

Both years

Engines
2.2L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference, 3.0L V6 Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual A published reference, Automatic Edmunds
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims
CE Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference, LE Toyota, Edmunds, XLE Toyota, Edmunds
Packages
Leather seats Toyota, Edmunds, Theft-deterrent package (1998–2001) Edmunds

Colors

2000

  • Constellation Blue Pearl 8N4, 2000 An owners' registry (unofficial)

2001

  • Diamond White Pearl on Lunar Mist Metallic 2GF, 2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Cashmere Beige Metallic on Lunar Mist Metallic 2HV, 2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Antique Sage Pearl on Lunar Mist Metallic 2HG, 2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Mineral Green Opalescent on Lunar Mist Metallic 2HH, 2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Lunar Mist Metallic 1C8, 2000–2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Graphite Gray Pearl 1C6, 2000–2001 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)
  • Sailfin Blue Pearl 8N7, 2000–2001 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2000

Nothing that 2001 lacks.

2001

  • Sought after: 2001 One source so far

    SlashGear lists the 2001 among the five best used Camry years, as a safe, dependable family sedan with a good ride, and tells buyers to check for rust, electrical faults and overheated engines. SlashGear

Both years

  • 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