2000 Toyota Camry Electrical Problems

Smoke came from under your dashboard on the passenger side behind the blower motor, indicating the heater resistor had burned out. The burned resistor caused an electrical failure that cut power to your vehicle. Your mechanic determined the resistor, sensor plug, and blower motor all need to be replaced to restore normal operation.

Your car caught fire while parked after you noticed the radio flickering and the check engine light came on while driving. When you opened the hood, flames were visible in the engine compartment near the battery on the right side. According to Toyota's investigation, the starter motor failed to disengage from the engine's flywheel, causing it to keep running and overheat, which burned out the starter and melted the positive battery cable. The fire damage was severe enough to total the car at 95,000 miles.

Your driver's door handle broke off completely when you tried to open the door, leaving you unable to easily access your car. The plastic handle fractured suddenly rather than gradually wearing down, which you suspect is a design flaw. Additionally, your battery drains quickly even after replacement, requiring frequent idling to recharge. Repairs would likely involve replacing the door handle (preferably with a more durable material) and addressing the battery drain issue, which may require electrical system diagnosis or a solar charging panel.

Your car has open recalls that need attention. You should contact a Toyota dealership to schedule service and have these recalls completed as soon as possible.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN AFTERMARKET EVERSTART PLUS 36R (NA) BATTERY, UPC CODE: 681131441896. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE PRESENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BATTERY WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF SMOKE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTED WAS BURNED TO THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY, THE STARTER, AND THE WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SECURED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE ENGINE CONTINUING TO OPERATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT EITHER THE IGNITION SWITCH OR THE KEY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE OPENED THE WINDOW WHILE THE DEALER WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HER, AND IT EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL SQUEALING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN ADVISED BY THE DEALER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULD FEEL AS THOUGH THE SPRINGS WERE PROTRUDING INTO HER BACK AND CAUSING PAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED OVER A TWO YEAR SPAN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCENRED THAT IN TEH CASE OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE CHEMICALS IN THE AIR BAG WOULD AFFECT HER ASTHMA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRENDS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

MY CAMRY HAS AN ADDED SPOILER, NOT SURE WEATHER IT WAS FACTORY OR DEALER INSTALLED. THE BRAKE LIGHT THAT IS NORMALLY IN THE REAR WINDOW WAS LEFT HANGING IN THE TRUNK AS IT WAS SUPERSEDED BY THE ONE IN THE SPOILER. THE BULB WAS LEFT INSTALLED AS IT CAUSED A BRAKE LIGHT FAULT ON THE DASH WHEN DISCONNECTED. LAST WEEK WHEN I HAD A FULL TRUNK WE STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND COULD NOT FIGURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WE FOUND THAT A CARDBOARD BOX IN THE TRUNK HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE UNUSED BULB WHICH HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE BOX WHEN BRAKING ,BUT FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT IGNITE. I WILL CONTACT THE DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE IF THEY CAN RELOCATE THE BULB TO A SAFE LOCATION. *TT

I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY. LAST WEEKEND, WHEN I RETURNED FROM A SHORT GROCERY TRIP, I FOUND THAT MY CAR ALTERNATOR BELT WAS RUNNING EVEN THOUGH I HAD SHUT OFF THE CAR AND HAD THE KEYS WITH ME. THIS WAS VERY SCARY. NOW I HAVE TO MANUALLY MAKE SURE THAT THE CAR IS ACTUALLY OFF EVEN AFTER I TURN IT OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY. HE STATED THERE WAS AN IRREGULAR NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVED THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION,HOWEVER THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE SHUTTING OFF.. IN ADDITION, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE STARTER REMAINED ENGAGED WHEN THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND THE STARTED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 128,147. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

I HAD A VERY TROUBLING ISSUE WITH MY 2000 TOYOTA SOLARA LAST WEEK. THE WIRING TO THE INSIDE FAN BLOWER MOTOR OVERHEATED, WAS SMOKING BADLY AND NEARLY STARTED A FIRE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. LUCKILY I STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE THINGS GOT OUT OF HAND. I HAD THE WIRING AND THE VERY BADLY CORRODED RESISTOR REPLACED (P/N 20238) AT A COST TO ME OF $254.07. DOES NHTSA HAVE THIS ISSUE ON RECORD AS A SAFETY RECALL? *TR

MY ACCIDENT/INJURIES BECAUSE THE DEFECTS/FLAWS OF MY CAR: BRAKE SYSTEMS, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, SPEED OUT OF CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEMS...I HAVE THE CAR FIXED, REPAIRS SOMETIMES (RECORDS AT DEALERSHIP). THEY REPLACED COMPUTER BOARD...BUT STILL HAVE A PROBLEMS... MY ISSUES ARE ABOUT MY TOYOTA CAMRY/MODEL 2000 GOT ACCIDENT/INJURIES ON OCT. 2004 BECAUSE THE CAR HAD MANY PROBLEMS ARE: ROUGH OF CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS, ROUGH SPEED/RPM, GAS PEDAL, BRAKE, ROUGH IDLE, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED - WITHOUT PRESSING A GAS PEDAL. I HIT THE CAR AND MY FRONT BUMPER IS ALMOST FELT OFF. IT COSTS OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE BUT MY INJURIES IS NO MONEY TO REPLACE ITS BACK TO NORMAL, MY AUTO INSURANCE NOT PAYING MY MEDICAL BILLS ANY MORE... *TR

MY 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY SUFFERED FROM POWER DOOR LOCK DEFECT. MY DOOR LOCKS FLEW BACK AND FORTH SOUNDING LIKE MACHINE GUN FIRE. I HAD JUST STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE WINDOW OPENED AND THE DOOR OPEN WHEN ALL HECK BROKE LOOSE. NEITHER THE WINDOWS OR DOORS WOULD WORK. THE REASON I GOT OUT OF MY CAR WAS THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS ON AND ALL THE DOORS WERE SHUT. I GOT OUT TO DOUBLE CHECK THE DOORS WHEN THE CAR WENT BERSERK. I WAS SO TRAUMATIZED BY THIS EVENT I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND TRADED IT ON THE SPOT. *JB

ORIGINAL IGNITION KEY WILL NOT START CAR. HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR ABOUT A MONTH. LUCKILY IT TOTALLY FAILED IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY. WE JUST RETURNED FROM A LONG TRIP. SAME THING HAPPENED TO TRUNK LOCK 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD TO PAY ABOUT $250.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED AT MY DEALER. EXPECT LARGER BILL FOR IGNITION. DEALER WILL NOT ORDER NEW IGNITION LOCK UNTIL I HAVE IT TOWED IN.BOUGHT CAR AT SAME DEALER. LOCKS SEEM TO BE A WEAK POINT ON THIS MODEL TOYOTA. CAN I GET HELP FROM SOMEBODY? *TR

VEHICLE HAD AN ICON LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE REAR OF THE ICON WAS LIT, AND NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IT MEANT. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECTS.*AK

ORIGINAL KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT WILL OPEN DOORS AND TRUNK.*AK

UPON SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND FLAMES WERE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY ARE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK *SC

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. *AK

MYSELF ALONG WITH MY 16 YEAR OLD BROTHER, SON 9, AND DAUGHTER 5 WERE DRIVING SUNDAY MORNING ON OUR WAY TO SAN DIEGO TO ATTEND THE PADRE GAME WHEN SUDDENLY ON THE HIGHWAY 15 WE HEARD A LOAD POP, SO I PROCEDED TO GET OFF ON THE ADAMS OFF RAMP, WHEN MY LIL. BROTHER SCREAMED IT'S A FIRE! AND HE DASHED OUT GETTING MY DAUGHTER OUT WHILE I STRUGGLED TO GET MY SON OUT THE CAR THEN SOMEONE PULLED OVER TOLD US TO GET IN THE CAR AND AS WE DROVE TO THE TOP OF THE OFF RAMP MY CAR EXPLODED, NO CRASH NOTHING HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR MY LIL. BROTHER THINKING FAST WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPED, MY CAR WAS AND IS STILL UNDER TOYOTAS WARRANTY. I'M WAITING TO SEE WHY THIS HAPPENED THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED!! MY FAMILY SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS. I HOPE THAT TOYOTA AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY HANDLE THIS ASAP!*AK

THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN 30 DAYS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THIS FAILURE MAY BE THE RESULT OF THE ALTERNATOR NOT BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AN "OFF" SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *PH

DEFECTIVE BATTERY EQUIPMENT ON 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY 4LE V6.*MR THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY ALTERNATORS, OR OTHER RELATED ELECTRICAL LOSS, BECAUSE IT THEY MAY BE DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE BATTERIES TO GO DEAD. *CB

CONSUMER STATES A BODYGUARD ELECTRONIC RUST PROTECTOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CAUSING FIRE.(CLAIM#51-0495-441)*JB

THE INSURED WAS INFORMED THAT HER PARKED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, THE ESTIMATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS OR RECEIVER DEHYDRATOR, THE TOYOTA DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL AND THEY COULD NOT ATTRIBUTE THE PROBLEM AS BEING ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL RELATED.*JB(CLAIM#53-C781-583)

THE INSURED WAS INFORMED THAT HER PARKED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, THE ESTIMATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS OR RECEIVER DEHYDRATOR, THE TOYOTA DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL AND THEY COULD NOT ATTRIBUTE THE PROBLEM AS BEING ENGINE OR ELECTRICAL RELATED.*JB(CLAIM#53-C781-583)

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. ALSO,SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA , AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

UPON HAVING ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE DONE, VEHICLE ENDURED AN ACCIDENT, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK. DEALER WILL UNPLUG FUSE TO GET LIGHT TO GO OFF. DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 11 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN TO GO DOWN IE; LIGHTS AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE SHUTDOWN IN A ROLLING STOP. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE FROM ENGINE, AND WAS AT MECHANICAL AUTO SHOP. MECHANIC OPENED HOOD, AND REALIZED ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. POSITIVE SIDE OF BATTERY WAS COMPLETLY MELTED. HOLD DOWN CLAMP ON BATTERY MAY HAVE BROKEN, CAUSING BATTERY TO SLIDE AND OVERHEAT. *AK

WHILE RESTARTING VEHICLE SMOKE ENTERED INSIDE VEHICLE VENTS. SOON AFTERWARDS, NOTICED UNDER HOOD FIRE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED AS THE RESULT OF THE FIRE. *YH

WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY VEHICLE HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE , ONCE STOPPED IT STARTED TO BURN. *AK

VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED BATTERY THAT CAUSED ACID TO LEAK ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CORRODED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. *SLC