How to Remove Install Exterior Door Handle 97-01 Toyota Camry

Buy Now!

1A Auto shows you how to repair, install, fix, change or replace a broken or snapped off Exterior / Outside door handle. This video is applicable to the 97, 98, 99, 00, 01 Toyota Camry

This process should be similar on the following vehicles:
1997 Toyota Camry
1998 Toyota Camry
1999 Toyota Camry
2000 Toyota Camry
2001 Toyota Camry

🔧 List of tools used:

Check out our playlist:

⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video*
√ *Do it Yourself*
√ *Save Money*

[erhos]

Guys, thank you so much. I've been driving around in my 99 Camry with no exterior OR interior driver's door handles. This guide seriously saved me probably 100$ in service at a shop. Just a few things from my go at it:

1. For the latch rod to release, just wedge the biggest flathead screwdriver you can between the flippable plastic safety latch and the rod itself and twist. He shows you how to do it, but doesn't describe it in a lot of detail. I was using a smaller flathead at first and it wasn't working at all. If it's still giving you trouble with a large flathead, try prying on the plastic retainer to bend it a little (it is part of the door handle you are replacing, not the door itself, as mentioned in the guide) and THEN try the flathead-twist. Should come loose after a little effort.
2. As I've seen others here say, there is no need to remove the entire weather lining, just peel it back a bit.
3A. You can remove/replace the lock rod on the outside of the door to make it a bit easier, BUT:
3B. If you follow the guide and remove and replace it inside of the door - the lock rod is shaped like an upside-down L, with the little hook (stuck into the lock mechanism) facing towards the interior of the car. Lift up on the plastic latch clipped to the rod and push the rod towards the exterior side of the car. To replace it, grab the rod with your fingers and bring it up and towards you into the lock.

This guide is great and comprehensive, and maybe these tips would be more obvious if I had more experience working on cars, but alas. I gotta say thanks a bunch for the help, and you have me as a customer for any future car parts.

-Frank

[wesg]

What an absolute nightmare! I just finished this job while repeatedly referencing the video. Thank goodness for you and this video. And frankly, all of your videos. I use the 1A Auto channel for repairs A LOT. Keep up the good work, guys!

No criticism intended whatsoever, but from what I experienced, it's way easier to install the lock rod and snap it into place BEFORE you install the new handle into the door. I fought and fought with it with the handle in the door. I finally took it back out, put the lock rod in and snapped it down, then pushed the handle into the door and screwed it into the door. Just my opinion, but it may save some cursing and frustration for someone else.

[beccaking]

Found this video after ordering new door handles for my 97 Camry. Thank you so much! I'm always stoked when I can fix something myself

[uxtalzon]

Just bought the handle for my mom's '98. This video is exactly what non-mechanics like myself need. Thank you! :D

[monshes]

This is very useful. As others said, just remove the plastic enough to gain access. On a 99 removing the handle control rod was VERY difficult. The lock control rod which was easy to remove was impossible to reinstall since I have large hands so I had to install it before installing the handle. These two complications added several hours to what could have been an easy job. I ended up installing the handle 3 times to sort this out. Not a job for the feignt of heart. BTW I've removed plenty of handles and this was one of the worst. Give yourself plenty of time.

[angelaoren]

Wonderfully detailed walkthrough. Thanks! By the way, I got the lock rod off from the outside after pulling the handle out as far as it could safely go. I also put the lock rod on the new handle from the outside.

[robh]

Great video! I fixed a 2001 Toyota Camry door handle. It took a little over an hour.

[johnnymurff]

Just discovered this very very helpful instructional video. I'm years late but I have a 1999 Toyota Camry with the exact issues and I have viewed and will continue to view the vids. When I order the parts then I'm going to come back to your videos.

[gjstevens]

A detailed view of HOW you put the lock arms and clips back on the handle from the inside would be helpful. We've been struggling with that part for days.

[henrydad]

This video answered all my questions about replacing the driver's exterior door handle on my '00 Avalon.

[ewegene]

Next time I need parts for my 2001 Camry, you are the go-to guys!!! Could have saved myself much grief watching both videos 1st. Had a broken door handle for 2-3 years that I "jury-rigged" until a valet attendant finally broke it for good. Wife sideswiped the mirror on the same side. Got both parts somewhere else. Mirror had wrong connector. Luckily I have some electronic skills and could figure out how to splice it. Handle was threaded for different screws. Local hardware had nice stainless replacements for those. Unfortunately I only watched the mirror replacement video and then tried to figure things out for the handle! :-( Now that I know the sequence it should go back together quickly.

Thanks. Robert from GR, Mich.

[tanasioginali]

Thank you thank you, I replaced the front driver side exterior and interior door handles and bezel of my 2001 Camry all thanks to you. And in the future, I will order my parts from you. Again thanks. Rebecca

[jeremyduncan]

Everyone here is mistaken, the safety latch is absolutely hell in a hand basket. It is the single worst part of this entire job.

[JimmyTheGreek]

You just saved me 200. I was able to get the lock for only $15,

However, the garage wanted 200 for the 2 hours of work.

[GetBasedSon]

Is there an easier way to get the lock rod off? I’m getting so frustrated

[anthonyscott]

I swear, y'all keep me rolling some days.

[thesteezylifeofdrew]

Can you post a video on how to replace door latch and lock actuator on this same generation camry. I have a 2001 camry and am having a difficult time removing the old actuator, the window guides seem to be in the way.

[joelove]

Thank so much for the how to video! I broke my driver's side door handle on 99 camry so this step by step walkthrough definitely helps for replacement

[moxiee]

Great video; however be prepared for the 01 Camry possibly having access holes that are 3/4" offset from bolt heads, requiring socket joint extenders to get to the left had side bolts if you happen to have huge hands and can't reach in. What looks like whistling in the park in this video was a two-afternoon ordeal for me. But it bears repeating, very helpful video.