1999 Toyota Camry LX

Summary:

Good Car, bad customer service

Faults:

Check engine light comes on very frequently. Each time the dealer tells a different answer and it cost about 40$ each time. Extended warranty doesn't cover it. Even after the gas cap is turned tight, the problem exists. Sometimes it goes off automatically after driving about 1/2 tank. But I don't know whether I am spoiling car by doing that.

General Comments:

Little bit more description in the manual about frequently occurring problems and preventive measures would be appreciated.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th June, 2003

3rd Mar 2004, 17:44

The Check Engine Light is because the gas cap is too tight, not because it is too loose.

1999 Toyota Camry LE V6

Summary:

Besides a Mark IV, the best car I ever owned

Faults:

Persistent plastic buzz in sun visor slide extensions and at the top of the front seat belt assemblies where they connect to the inside of the pillars just aft of the front doors.

General Comments:

The car has many addictive qualities. You can't lock your keys in the car or forget about the exterior lights. (Totally automatic) 4 wheel disc's are phenomenal. Rear end hit by high speed vehicle was more than satisfactory. Damage barely noticeable though not cheap to fix by (their) insurance company. If Toyota keeps the quality at current levels or better, I'll buy them forever.

251K and it doesn't burn oil and gas mileage is the same as when new.(Close to the old VW bug on the highway) Starting to leak a little oil, but what machine lasts forever?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th June, 2003

5th Jan 2006, 15:03

Sounds like you've taken good care of your vehicle and also had good luck possibly too!! However, we all probably intrinsically know that good maintenance goes much further than luck towards the longevity and reliability of any vehicle. I just bought my first Camry, a 99 recently after much research and some consternation about the oil gelling problem and the mixed reviews here regarding their quality and reliability. I was fortunate to find one which had been meticulously cared for (complete with all records) so I took a chance. I will report on it here once I've had it long enough to have an opinion. 250,000 miles is great!!! My goal is to get 200,000 safe miles from all my vehicles. So far my pinnacle is 189,000 on a Taurus I just scrapped, but it was my fault as I procrastinated on a radiator problem and blew a head gasket so I had to scrap it. It probably would have made the 200 K mark.

My questions for you are: Since you did so well with your Camry, do you have any main tips or secrets for the rest of us?

Any suggestions on oil viscosity? Owner's manual prefers 5w30 but will 10w30 give longer engine life?

Thanks for the help and congratulations.

24th Aug 2010, 00:13

1) Use fully synthetic Mobil-1 oil and the best filter you can find every 5000 miles. "$30-50 to do your own oil-change?" Yes, absolutely. That's the BLOOD of your car. If you beat on your car, then use 15W-50 in the summer for better protection, although you will lose a couple mpg. In winter that oil is too thick, so go with 10W-30.

2) NEVER NEVER NEVER beat on your car or let it race when it's got a cold engine. 100 degrees in the summer just starting it up is STILL A COLD ENGINE relative to the normal operating temp it likes. Let it get to normal operating temp before giving it any real go or abuse. Cars run better if you drive them with some gusto. ("Grandma cars" always die with 60K miles on them.)

3) Luck. Sheer luck.

1999 Toyota Camry LE 3.0 V6

Summary:

Reliable car with some annoying issues

Faults:

Various electrical system failures

CD player continuously skips

Check Engine light on.

General Comments:

This car has been generally OK, except for a few annoying problems. I've had some electrical problems and the cigarette lighter and clock do not work - all fuses are OK.

The CD player skips with brand new CDs, the dealership was very annoying, refusing to admit any problems with the CD player, although it obviously skips and has since the car was new.

Currently, I can't figure out why the check engine light is on at 39K miles, even though the car seems to be running fine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st May, 2003

22nd Mar 2004, 20:35

Hey dude have you tried changing the oil regularly.

15th Jan 2005, 09:39

Try just resetting the car's computer by taking the battery cables off for about 20 seconds and see if it helps. If not try onboard diagnostic.

27th Apr 2005, 20:05

The check engine light is probly a P0446 or P0441 code. Common issue with vacuum switching valve at charcoal caniter. About $135.00 installed. I replace 2 or 3 weekly.

11th Sep 2008, 00:16

It's not ANY of those things, this just happened to my Camry, check the fuse box behind that little pull out compartment to the left of the steering wheel. Behind there, check the cig lighter fuse!