The 1997 Toyota Camry has 4 safety recalls and 555 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (117 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints555filed by owners
Crashes · fires79 · 27reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths59 · 3reported in complaints
1997 Toyota Camry in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
NHTSA recall 99V307000 · Nov 1, 1999 · 540,037 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
Electrical system › Ignition
NHTSA recall 97V213000 · Nov 20, 1997 · 289,326 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID.
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
1997 Toyota Camry 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Camry
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Camry
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Camry
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Camry
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
117
10
1
2
44,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
102
2
10
3
87,000 mi
Suspension Front; Front › Macpherson strut
71
3
0
0
75,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module
55
44
0
34
95,000 mi
Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood; Ignition
Seats Front assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Power adjust
30
4
0
5
57,000 mi
Structure Body › Door; Body
27
2
0
7
100,000 mi
Seat belts Front › Retractor; Front › Anchorage
26
0
0
4
72,226 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights; Turn signal
22
0
0
0
39,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 13, 2024 · fireElectrical system In January my starter caught on fire while driving down the road, and again in April causing me to lose days of work. Caused positive cable to battery to melt.
Jul 31, 2023 · 1 injurySteering The steering wheel is set off center to the right of the driver. Yes it is available upon request. Causes extreme back pains. Has not been inspected by police or insurance reps. Has not been inspected yet. No warning lights or messages in car dash for this. Since I had the car noticed this.
Jul 1, 2020 · 1,223 milesService brakes STEERING WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR ARE LOOSE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE IGNITION ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SERVICE BRAKES AND THE HYDRAULIC PARTS SEEMS TO WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING . THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIMMED IT IS HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.
Dec 3, 2019 · 130,000 milesPower train BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND THE CAR RAN WELL BUT NOW THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WOULD SLIP FROM TIME TO TIME BUT NOW IS OUT COMPLETELY. WHICH SEEMS TO BE VERY MYSTERIOUS. I WAS SEARCJING TO SEE HOW COMMO. THE PROBLEM IS OR HAS BEEN. I THOUGHT THERE MIGHT. HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT DIDN'T SEE ANY...
Jan 1, 2016 · 147,000 milesTraction control system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE VACUUM HOSE LEAK AND TRACTION FAILURE. THE TRACK OFF WARNING INDICATOR WAS RESET AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Jan 1, 2014 · 100,000 milesPower train I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL FOR A CONDITION THAT ALLOWS THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE TRANSMISSION STILL IN DRIVE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL EVENTS WHEN I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, REMOVED THE KEY AND IT STARTED TO ROLL AWAY DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING IN DRIVE.
Nov 17, 2017 · 150,000 milesEngine ENGINE IS BEGINNING TO USE ENGINE OIL BETWEEN CHANGES.
Aug 8, 1997 · 289,859 milesService brakes SUMMARY 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, NORTH 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. SAFETY RISK THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. YES, THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN CA, BUT THIS ISSUE PREVENTS TRAVELING TO COLD…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE02079 · opened Oct 22, 2002 · closed Mar 18, 2003ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE 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 · opened Apr 30, 2002 · closed Jun 20, 2002ENGINE SEIZURE
PE97034 · opened Jul 16, 1997 · closed Nov 28, 1997 · led to recall 97V213000IGNITION INTERLOCK FAILURE
