VehicleVerdict

1997 Toyota Camry problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 685 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Camry year — the 1997 model ranks #13 of 43 Camry years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 75 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (126), engine (108), and suspension (71), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

685

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

92

Crash-involved

31

Fires reported

75

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Camry years?

Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted3,669 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 35 complaints1987: 70 complaints1988: 88 complaints1989: 138 complaints1990: 160 complaints1991: 186 complaints1992: 646 complaints1993: 334 complaints1994: 364 complaints1995: 373 complaints1996: 567 complaints1997: 685 complaints1998: 751 complaints1999: 661 complaints2000: 577 complaints2001: 356 complaints2002: 1,183 complaints2003: 946 complaints2004: 798 complaints2005: 905 complaints2006: 393 complaints2007: 3,669 complaints2008: 1,139 complaints2009: 1,611 complaints2010: 764 complaints2011: 779 complaints2012: 807 complaints2013: 377 complaints2014: 637 complaints2015: 362 complaints2016: 249 complaints2017: 206 complaints2018: 1,082 complaints2019: 551 complaints2020: 374 complaints2021: 192 complaints2022: 87 complaints2023: 85 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 198 complaints
Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Toyota Camry problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes12618%
Engine10816%
Suspension7110%
Airbags558%
Electrical System467%
Transmission375%
Steering315%
Seats304%
Speed Control304%
Body & Structure274%
Seat Belts264%
Lighting244%
Tires & Wheels193%
Fuel System172%
Other142%
Visibility & Wipers91%
Latches & Locks61%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)51%
Child Seat41%

Does the 1997 Toyota Camry have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

99V307000SteeringNovember 1, 1999 · 540,037 units

Defect

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

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

97V213000Electrical SystemNovember 20, 1997 · 289,326 units

Defect

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

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.

97V156000BrakesSeptember 17, 1997 · 18,746 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE ROAD ABOUT 40-45 MPH WITH ABOUT 4 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE COMSUMER WHEN HE SAW THE VEHICLES STOP, AND COMSUMER TRIED TO STOP BY STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT COULD NOT STOP IT ON TIME AND SMASHED FRONT OF VEHICLE OR REARENDED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 6, 1997 · crash

“1997 TOYOTA CAMRY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON I-87. FIRE BEGAN SOMEWHERE UNDER THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. BRAKES FAILED WHILE MOVING TO HIGHWAY SHOULDER. PASSENGERS WERE IMMEDIATELY EVACUATED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 31, 2006 · fire

“FRONT STRUTS WERE A KNOWN DEFECT, DEALER TOLD ME, THEY BANG LOUDLY AND MAY FAIL I FEAR. DEALER SERVICE DEPT TOLD ME THE STRUTS WERE KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT KNOW THIS. NOW THEY ARE REALLY BAD, TO”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · crash

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE ROAD ABOUT 40-45 MPH WITH ABOUT 4 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE COMSUMER WHEN HE SAW THE VEHICLES STOP, AND COMSUMER TRIED TO STOP BY STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT COULD NOT STOP IT ON TIME AND SMASHED FRONT OF VEHICLE OR REARENDED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 6, 1997 · crash

“MY CAR MADE A WINING NOISE AND THEN A LOUD POP. I MANAGED TO GET IT OFF RT 40 AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND THERE WAS SEVERE SMOKE. I DID ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW HALF WAY AND THEN SHUT CAR OFF TRIED THE UNLOCK BUTTON AND IT DID NOT WORK. I THEN CRAWLED OUT THE WINDOW AND RAN THE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 8, 2014 · fire

1997 Toyota Camry — common questions

Is the 1997 Toyota Camry reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 685 complaints put the 1997 model at #13 of 43 Camry years. It is one of the Camry years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Camry problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (126 complaints), engine (108 complaints), suspension (71 complaints).

Does the 1997 Toyota Camry have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Toyota Camry under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Camry years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camry years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2004, 2011, 2010, 1998, 1997, 1999, 1992, 2014, 2000, 1996, 1995. The cleanest record among Camry years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.