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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

What owners actually said

555 reports
205,000 miles · Jul 18, 2014
Electrical System

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACED, LEAVING ME STRANDED ONCE AGAIN. MANAGED TO GET A FRIEND TO GET A REPLACEMENT PART FOR ME BUT NOW I CANNOT GET IT INSTALLED. THE KEY HAS TO BE IN THE ACC POSITION FOR IT TO GO IN BUT THE TAB THAT IT SLIDES INTO DOESN'T LINE UP. I HAVE BEEN A F…

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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACED, LEAVING ME STRANDED ONCE AGAIN. MANAGED TO GET A FRIEND TO GET A REPLACEMENT PART FOR ME BUT NOW I CANNOT GET IT INSTALLED. THE KEY HAS TO BE IN THE ACC POSITION FOR IT TO GO IN BUT THE TAB THAT IT SLIDES INTO DOESN'T LINE UP. I HAVE BEEN A FAITHFUL TOYOTA CUSTOMER FOR 3 DECADES BUT THIS IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614565

100,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Service BrakesSteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10599141

47,000 miles · Nov 26, 2013
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS WERE LEAKING OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 12…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS WERE LEAKING OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN

NHTSA ODI #10553896

260,000 miles · Nov 18, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

NHTSA ODI #10552802

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS AT A GAS STATION, AND ALMOST PARKED, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND WAS UNSTOPPABLE. CONSEQUENTLY, HE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONSUMER AND HIS PASSENGER WERE INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10523403

60,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCHES FOR ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT HOLD THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT EACH LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED FOUR OF THE FIVE LATCHES IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCHES FOR ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT HOLD THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT EACH LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED FOUR OF THE FIVE LATCHES IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10519555

190,362 miles · Apr 10, 2013
StructureSuspension

MY REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED AND BROKE INTO TWO PIECES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CLOSE TO THE MOUNTING BOLTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505870

90,000 miles · Nov 28, 2012
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE. A FEW MILES LATER THE DRIVER SAW ORANGE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE DRIVER THREW DIRT ONTO THE ENGINE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE DRIVER STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE. A FEW MILES LATER THE DRIVER SAW ORANGE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE DRIVER THREW DIRT ONTO THE ENGINE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10486341

150,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD DETACHED AND FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HINGES FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD DETACHED AND FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HINGES FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10470429

177,559 miles · Jan 18, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION BELOW, AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME PURSUE THIS MATTER. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST TOYOTA AND LUCAS OIL. > ATTORNEY COMMENT: THE WEBSITE FOR LUCAS OIL REGARDING ITS STOP LEAK PRODUCT SAYS THAT IT REPAIRS WORN SEALS WITHOUT RISK OF DAMAGE. > >ATTORNEY COMMENT:…

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PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION BELOW, AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME PURSUE THIS MATTER. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST TOYOTA AND LUCAS OIL. > ATTORNEY COMMENT: THE WEBSITE FOR LUCAS OIL REGARDING ITS STOP LEAK PRODUCT SAYS THAT IT REPAIRS WORN SEALS WITHOUT RISK OF DAMAGE. > >ATTORNEY COMMENT: THIS SITUATION PRESENTS AN UNUSUAL ISSUE IE THE LIABILITY OF THE OIL LEAK PRODUCT FOR NOT WARNING AGAINST USE OF THE PRODUCT IN A CAR PRONE TO SLUDGING. > > I ADDED 1 QUART OF LUCAS ENGINE OIL STOP LEAK (PURCHASED AT PEP BOYS) TO THE ENGINE OIL OF MY 1997 V-6 TOYOTA CAMRY, WHICH CAUSED A ROD TO BE THROWN, KILLING THE ENGINE. (PRIOR TO THIS, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE, BUT I DID HAVE A SLIGHT ENGINE OIL LEAK PROBLEM.) THE ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS $3,171.91. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS 177,559 MILES ON IT. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THAT MY CAR ENGINE IS PRONE TO SLUDGE AND SLUDGE DAMAGE DUE TO DESIGN ERROR. HAD I BEEN AWARE OF THIS, I NEVER WOULD HAVE ADDED THIS PRODUCT. AS IT IS, NEITHER TOYOTA NOR LUCAS OIL POSTED ANY WARNINGS ABOUT USING THIS PRODUCT IN MY CAR ENGINE. AS SUCH, I CONTACTED BOTH TOYOTA AND LUCAS OIL FOR SOME RELIEF - BOTH COMPANIES DENIED MY REQUEST.

NHTSA ODI #10444440

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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