RoadVitals

1999 Toyota Camry Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Jul 18, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 501 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Toyota Camry submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Steering
Filed Jul 18, 2017

CAR PULLS TO LEFT AFTER NEW TIRES , 3 DIFFERENT ALIGNMENT CHECKS. WENT ON-LINE AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND FEW SOLUTIONS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND LITTLE HELP FROM DEALERS. YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN CONSTANT PRESSURE ON WHEEL WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TO STAY IN LANE.

NHTSA ID
11006129
Incident
Jul 16, 2017
Mileage
97,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureSteering
Filed Nov 2, 2016
Crash reported

I ONLY HAD MY 1999 CAMRY FOR 5 DAYS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING ABOUT 35 MPH. I WAS GOING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULDN'T TURN. I TRIED TO STOP BUT COULDN'T AND RAN DIRECTLY INTO THE CONCRETE MEDIAN CAUSING ME TO SPIN AROUND AND THEN HIT THE MEDIAN AGAIN. BOTH AIR BAGS CAME OUT AND MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOT WHERE IT WAS DECLARED "TOTALED." NO ONE OR ANY OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. I HAD MY CAR FOR ONLY 5 DAYS AND IT MALFUNCTIONED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10923747
Incident
Oct 27, 2016
Mileage
153,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureSteering
Filed Oct 30, 2016
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY DOING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS I DRIVING AROUND A CURVE. I DROVE INTO THE LEFT CEMENT BARRIER, CAR SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE BARRIER AGAIN. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND DIDN'T EVEN HAVE IT FOR 5 DAYS! THE CAR WAS TOWED AND SALVAGED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10920098
Incident
Oct 27, 2016
Mileage
153,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Apr 7, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED STUCK AFTER BEING DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10704122
Incident
Feb 1, 2015
Mileage
109,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 23, 2010
Crash reported

1999 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE TRAVELING, THE DRIVER CLAIMED TO HAVE HEARD A NOISE AND LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *BF THE DRIVER WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, STRUCK A MEDIAN BARRIER, CAME BACK ACROSS THREE LANES, WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND THEN CAME TO REST PARTIALLY IN THE RIGHT LANE. ACCORDING TO THE WRECKER THE DRIVER, THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING. HOWEVER, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE THAT WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE CRASH AND THAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0359-90)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF

NHTSA ID
10345470
Incident
Jun 3, 2010
Driver assistanceInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Jun 14, 2010

2 YEARS AGO, MORE OR LESS, I ADJUSTED THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. SINCE THAT TIME, ON OCCASION, I AM UNKNOWINGLY TURNING ON THE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH IS A BUTTON ON THE END OF AN ARM OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. I CANNOT RESET THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL POSITION TO FIT ME BUT I AM VERY WORRIED THAT HAVING THE CRUISE CONTROL OPERATING MY CAR WHEN I DON'T KNOW IT MAY BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10336220
Incident
Jun 1, 1999
Mileage
135,500 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 6, 2004

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE OUTER TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING. THE THREADS ARE CORRODED ON THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TIE ROD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *NM THE TIE ROD THREADS WERE NOT APPARENT TO VISION WHEN INSPECTED. THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10074310
Incident
May 25, 2004
Mileage
82,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 24, 2003

TOYOTA DOES NOT FIX THEIR CARS PROPERLY. I BROUGHT MY 1999 CAMRY IN FOR A REPAIR TO THE STEERING COLUMN, THEY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM, BUT PUT MY STEERING WHEEL BACK ON INCORRECTLY. THE DEALERSHIP IS HARD TO DEAL WITH, AND TOYOTA HOME OFFICE, WILL NOT GET INVOLVED, AS THEY STATE THAT EACH OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS ARE INDIVIDUALLY OWNED AND OPERATED.

NHTSA ID
10003335
Incident
Jan 20, 2003
Mileage
38,266 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 31, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THE CRUISE CONTROL FAIL AT 70MPH CAUSING AND ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

NHTSA ID
8022000
Incident
Oct 26, 2002
BrakesEngineExterior lighting+4 more
Filed Aug 19, 2002

CONSUMER STATED BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND PULSATE AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS CONCERNING THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS, AS WELL AS FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, DUE TO THEM BEING WORN.*JB

NHTSA ID
567147
Incident
Jan 24, 2000
Steering
Filed Jul 22, 2002

THIS IS THE SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP THAT HAS FAILED ON MY TOYOTA CAMRY WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW.THE FIRST PUMP FAILED AT 7,800 MILES AND NOW THE FRONT SEAL IS LEAKING ON THE REPLACEMENT PUMP AT 76,243 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTBLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
764591
Incident
Jul 18, 2002
Heating & air conditioningSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 26, 2002

THERE IS A SQEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN I GO OVER SMALL BUMPS/DIPS IN THE ROAD. TOYOTA RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF TIE RODS, WHICH DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THE NOISE CONTINUES AND HAS INCREASED IN SEVERITY. THE AIR CONDITIONER SMELLS WHEN USING IT. IT SMELLS LIKE MOLD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, BUT ALL THEY DO IS SPRAY IT WITH FRIGI-FRESH, WHICH ONLY MASKS THE SMELL FOR A SHORT WHILE.*AK

NHTSA ID
763519
Incident
Sep 24, 2000
Steering
Filed Jan 23, 2002

WHILE PARKING VEHICLE RIGHT TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM. MECHANIC STATED TIE ROD NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
8002740
Heating & air conditioningEngineFuel system+3 more
Filed Aug 29, 2001

THIS CAR IS A LEMON. I HAVE HAD FIVE INTEGRATED RELAY'S REPLACED AND NOW IT IS OUT AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHT OR THE DASH LIGHTS WILL WORK, BUT NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. TOYOTA SAID IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD A NON-FACTORY ALARM INSTALLED. THEY REPLACED THE ALARM WITH A TOYOTA ALARM AND REPLACED THE RELAY AND IT BURNED OUT THE FOLLOWING DAY. THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS HAD A MUSTY SMELL SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THEY SPRAY THE VENTS WITH "FRIGI FRESH" AND IT'S FINE FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE SMELL RETURNS. THEY TOLD ME TO SPRAY SIMPLE GREEN IN THE AIR INTAKE ONCE A WEEK. THAT'S A PRETTY POOR REMEDY. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT HOLD ON ANY INCLINE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL PULL INTO THE GARAGE BY IT SELF AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL ROLL INTO THE STREET. IT DEPENDS ON IT'S MOOD. THE CAR LACK POWER. SOME DAYS THE CAR IS PEPPY BUT MOST DAYS IT'S A OLD MULE. I WENT THROUGH ARBITRATION AND TOYOTA JUST KEEPS REPLACING PARTS INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE CAR. IT'S SITS IN THE GARAGE NOW BECAUSE IS NOT DEPENDABLE. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION AND RECALL OF THE 1999 CAMRY.*AK

NHTSA ID
751321
Incident
May 15, 2000
BrakesSteering
Filed Mar 20, 2001

NO SUMMARY FOUND FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
742758
Incident
Mar 17, 2001
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 16, 2000

MULTIPLE TIMES CAR WILL NOT START. THE ONLY TIME FIALED AT DEALER SUSPECT PART WAS THE ALARM SYSTEM. REPLACED ALARM BUT PROBLEM CAN BACK 9 MONTHS LATER.

NHTSA ID
734428
Incident
Sep 9, 2000
Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2000

SERIOUS UNSAFE VIBRATION AT 60MPH AND UP. DEALER HAS REPLACED TIRES 3 TIMES, BALANCED THE TIRES 5 TIMES AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT. STILL HAS PROBLEMS. HAD A HIGHSPEED BALNCING PERFORMED TO NO AVAIL ALSO.

NHTSA ID
729766
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 13, 1999

VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OF 40MPH AND HIGHER. VIBRATION MOST APPARENT AT 60MPH AND HIGHER. WHEN STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CAR FEELS UNSAFE/UNSTABLE. VIBRATION IS VERY APPARENT THROUGHOUT THE CAR. HANDS SHAKE AND CAN FEEL IN ARMS AND LEGS. VIBRATION CAUSES MY LOWER BACK TO HURT EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT. NEVER HAD BACK PROBLEMS BEFORE. DEALER STATES THAT THEY REBLANCED THE WHEELS. CLAIMS THE VIBRATION IS THE ROAD. HOWEVER, NO OTHER CAR I'VE EVER DRIVEN HAS HAD SO MUCH VIBRATION. CAN EVEN SEE PASSENGER SEAT CONSTANTLY VIBRATING. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. SECOND TIME DEALER STATES THAT THEY RECHECKED THE WHEEL BALANCE AND PHASE MATCHED FRONT TIRE. LEFT CAR AT DEALER FOR THREE DAYS THEY DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE CAR. HELP! HELP! HELP!

NHTSA ID
713265
Incident
Sep 7, 1999
Steering
Filed Oct 1, 1999

STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 AND 68 MPH, AND USUALLY STOPS BEYOND THAT RANGE. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO JEOPARDISE THE SAFETY BUT IS WORRYSOME AND ANNOYING CONSIDERING A BRAND NEW CAR OF THIS MAKE.

NHTSA ID
712647
Incident
Jun 15, 1999
Steering
Filed Sep 28, 1999

STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE AND VEHICLE STEERS TO THE RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
848908
Incident
Sep 28, 1999
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 12, 1999
Crash reported

ON 5/29/99, I APPLIED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE THAT CUT ME OFF ON A HIGHWAY. IMMEDIATELY, THE CAR SWERVED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY VIOLENTLY AND SPUN IN 360 TURNS TWICE BEFORE BEING HIT BY TWO CARS AND CRASHING INTO A JERSEY BARRIER. NOT ONLY DID THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL, BUT THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS (FRONT OR SIDE) DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. MY FIANCEE AND I SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A DRIVER OF ANOTHER CAR HIT US AND CRASHED INTO THE JERSEY BARRIER, SUSTAINING SIGNIFICANT INJURIES.

NHTSA ID
709903
Incident
May 29, 1999
Steering
Filed Jul 26, 1999

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE WHICH RESULTED IN SMOKE. *YC

NHTSA ID
547520
Incident
Jul 3, 1999
Steering
Filed Jan 13, 1999

THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE DURING ACCERALTION AT ALL SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AT NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VIBRATIONS ARE AT THE GREATEST AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50 MPH. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TWICE TO THE DEALER AND EACH TIME IT WAS DISMISSED AS ROUNDING OF THE TIRES. TO THIS DAT ETHE CAR HAS APPROX 5600 MILES AND THE VIBRATION CONTINUES

NHTSA ID
702184
Incident
Oct 1, 1998
Steering
Filed Nov 20, 1998

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN SPEEDS OF 65 MPH AND HIGHER,DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR 4 TIMES AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
700787
Incident
Oct 10, 1998

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .