4th gen Toyota Camry 1997–2001 XV20

Overview

Engines

2.2L four-cylinder, 3.0L V6

Walk away if you find

Engine oil sludge

On record

2 warnings, 6 recalls

The story

Work began in late 1991, straight after the 3rd gen's launch, under the program code 415T, and the design was frozen in early 1994. As the yen soared in the mid-1990s, Toyota gave the new Camry less content than the old one to keep costs down. A published reference

It was introduced on September 3, 1996. The wagon was not sold in the US, and the two-door versions were split off as the Camry Solara. A facelift in August 1999 for 2000 brought larger headlights and taillights and a new grille. A published reference

Rare and special

• TRD supercharger kit

Colors

• Diamond White Pearl on Lunar Mist Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)2GF, 2001
• Cashmere Beige Metallic on Lunar Mist Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)2HV, 2001
• Antique Sage Pearl on Lunar Mist Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)2HG, 2001
• Sable Pearl4N7, 1999
• Mineral Green Opalescent on Lunar Mist Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)2HH, 2001

Interiors

• GrayCloth, years not known
• OakCloth, years not known
• SageCloth, years not known
• Gray, Oak or SageLeather, LE, XLE, years not known

Sources: Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

• 2.2L four-cylinder 5S-FE engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  133 hp, 3 hp more from 2000

• 3.0L V6 1MZ-FE engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  192 hp

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
• Value Package (2001) Edmunds
• TRD supercharger kit (1997–2000) A published reference

Figures

• Model codes: SXV20 (four) and MCV20 (V6) A published reference
• Introduced: September 3, 1996 A published reference
• Sales: The best-selling passenger car in the US from 1997 to 2000 A published reference

Rare trims and options

• Rare

  TRD supercharger kit Package

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

Years and what changed

1. 1997

   New model, a sedan in CE, LE and XLE trim, each with the four or the V6. Edmunds

2. 1998

   Side airbags arrive, the front airbags are depowered, and an engine immobilizer comes in the theft-deterrent package. Edmunds

3. 1999

   Two new audio systems and daytime running lights. Vintage Red Pearl, Sable Pearl and Woodland Pearl replace Sunfire Red Pearl, Ruby Pearl and Classic Green Pearl. Toyota, Edmunds

4. 2000
   Refresh

   Facelift 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

5. 2001

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

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one. Walk-away faults come first.

• Engine oil sludge All years

  Walk away if found

  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

  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)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2001 Recall 01V072000

  The front subframe may not have been welded properly. NHTSA

• 1998–2001 Recall 01V012000

  The accelerator cable housing can deform at the cruise control actuator, and the cable can wear through and break. NHTSA

• 2000 Recall 00V154000

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

• 1995–1998 Recall 99V307000

  The steering wheel nut may be loose, causing steering vibration and play. NHTSA

• 1997 Recall 97V213000

  The key interlock can jam so the key comes out with the automatic not in park. NHTSA

• 1997 Recall 97V156000

  Moisture can freeze in the brake vacuum hose after long use in extreme cold. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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

• 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

Maintenance

• Timing belt, hard use 1997

  Replace every 60,000 miles Toyota

  Only for long idling or long low-speed driving, as in delivery, taxi or patrol use

Warranty when new