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1997 Toyota Camry

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 131 of 555 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

79 crash reports27 fire reports50 injury reports

Seats complaints

30 reports
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57,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT LONGER MOVE BACK OR FORWARD IN THE SEAT TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT LONGER MOVE BACK OR FORWARD IN THE SEAT TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10405389

60,000 miles · Apr 20, 2010
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT INVOLUNTARILY SLIDES BACK WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TYPE OF FAILURE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT INVOLUNTARILY SLIDES BACK WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TYPE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10326574

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2009
SeatsCrash

ON SEPT. 15, 2009 I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A LARGE TRUCK WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. THE BACK OF THE SEAT FELL DOWN AND I WAS THROWN BACKWARDS TO THE BACK SEAT ABOUT 3 OR 4 INCHES . THE BACK OF THE SEAT LAID FLAT DOWN IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289038

100 miles · Jun 6, 2009
Seats

MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY CE HAS HAD, SINCE IT'S VERY FIRST YEAR, AN OCCASIONAL BUT PERSISTENT AND RECURRING ISSUE WHERE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFT AND RELATCH WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS OCCURS EVEN IF THE SEAT HAS NOT RECENTLY BEEN REPOSITIONED MANUALLY. IT FEELS AS IF IT IS RELATCHING ON ONE SIDE. THE RESULT IS A S…

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MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY CE HAS HAD, SINCE IT'S VERY FIRST YEAR, AN OCCASIONAL BUT PERSISTENT AND RECURRING ISSUE WHERE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFT AND RELATCH WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS OCCURS EVEN IF THE SEAT HAS NOT RECENTLY BEEN REPOSITIONED MANUALLY. IT FEELS AS IF IT IS RELATCHING ON ONE SIDE. THE RESULT IS A SUDDEN REPOSITIONING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF UP TO A FEW INCHES, AND RUNS THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF LOSS-OF-CONTROL IF IT WERE TO OCCUR AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME. NO POST-MARKET MODIFICATIONS TO MY DRIVER'S SEAT HAVE BEEN MADE AND THIS IS ALL IN REFERENCE TO ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS EQUIPMENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1996 (1997 MODEL YEAR). I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN RETITLED. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY TOYOTA, BUT WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE FOR SAFETY REVIEW. I WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS SITE, AND THUS THE DELAYED REPORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273006

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2005
SeatsInjury

THE FRONT SEATS IN MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY LE COLLAPSE, ON TAKEOFFS OR LEANING BACK ON THEM WITH NOT MUCH PRESSURE OR FALL BACKWARDS WITHOUT NOTICE.

NHTSA ODI #10107570

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2002
SeatsCrash

CONSUMER STATES WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROX 25-30 MPH AND IN TURN COLLIDED W/A VEHICLE IN FRONT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS BUCKLED AND COLLAPSED BACKWARD. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SEVERE WHIPLASH INJURIES AS A RESULT. MR

NHTSA ODI #8020849

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2002
Seats

UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ALMOST ANY SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLIDES FORWARD AS IF IT IS NOT LOCKED INTO PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, ALTHOUGH THE SEAT HAD BEEN LOCKED INTO POSITION. AFTER AN OCCURENCE, I HAVE TRIED TO SEE IF THE SEAT WAS LOCKED BY SCOOTING FORWARD MANUALLY (WITHOUT USE OF THE LEVER). IT …

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UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ALMOST ANY SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLIDES FORWARD AS IF IT IS NOT LOCKED INTO PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, ALTHOUGH THE SEAT HAD BEEN LOCKED INTO POSITION. AFTER AN OCCURENCE, I HAVE TRIED TO SEE IF THE SEAT WAS LOCKED BY SCOOTING FORWARD MANUALLY (WITHOUT USE OF THE LEVER). IT DOES NOT SLIDE AFTER DOING THIS, GIVING ME THE IMPRESSION THAT IT IS LOCKED. THE SEATBACK OF THIS SAME SEAT DOES NOT STAY LOCKED WELL EITHER. SOMETIMES, JUST GETTING IN THE VEHICLE AND LEANING ON THE SEAT, CAUSES IT (SEATBACK) TO SLIP OUT OF POSITION (BACKWARDS).*AK

NHTSA ODI #762242

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK BROKE WHICH CAUSED SEAT TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST CONSUMER. AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #877651

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2000
Seats

HAD TO REPLACE 3 MOTORS IN DRIVER'S POWER ADJUSTING SEAT. PIN KEPT FALLING OUT. DEALER REPAIRED FIRST TIME. CURRENTLY, COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, SEAT HAS BEEN LOOSE. DEALER SAID NEW SEAT TRACK NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED AT $1600. ADD VIN AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #875209

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

WHEN FIVE PEOPLE WERE IN THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES SCRAPED REAR WHEEL WELLS AND UNDERCARRIAGE SCRAPED PAVEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #555305

Official recalls

3

99V307000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Nov 1, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

97V213000 · Electrical System:ignition

Nov 20, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A POSSIBLE JAMMING OF THE LOCK PIN OF THE KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID, IT IS POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY EVEN WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER SUCH A CONDITION, SHOULD A DRIVER FAIL TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER TO "PARK" POSITION AND ALSO FAIL TO ACTIVATE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY DOWN A SLOPE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID.

97V156000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

Sep 17, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN,MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NOTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. A CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHERE ACCUMULATED MOISTURE CAN TEMPORARILY FREEZE IN THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE IF THE VEHICLE IS USED IN EXTREMELY COLD CLIMATES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE02079 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 18, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ODI'S DATA ANALYSIS FOUND THE FIRES RATES TO BE CONSISTENTLY LOW AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG SIX MODEL YEARS AND SIX DIFFERENT ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS.ODI EXAMINED A VARIETY OF ROOT CAUSES, THOSE BEING DETONATION (RESULTING IN OIL PAN PUNCTURE FROM CONNECTING ROD), STARTER FIRES, VARIOUS FUEL RELATED FIRES, LEAKING OIL FILTERS, WIRING ISSUES, IMPROPER REPAIRS AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.NONE OF THE ISSUES EXAMINED HAD REPORTS THAT INDICATED A TREND WHEN NORMALIZED FOR POPULATON AND EXPOSURE.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS.

DP02004 · Engine Seizure

Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.

PE97034 · Ignition Interlock Failure

Opened Jul 16, 1997 · Closed Nov 28, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

No summary supplied.

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