MYRModel Year Report

1997 Toyota Camry

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
555
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1997 555 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 781 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2010: 603 complaints 2011: 599 complaints 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 182 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2022: 60 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1992 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1997 555 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 781 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2004 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2010: 603 complaints 2010 2011: 599 complaints 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 182 complaints 2016 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2022: 60 complaints 2022 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1987 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1991 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1993 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1997 555 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 1999 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 781 complaints 2003 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2005 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,293 complaints 2009 2010: 603 complaints 2011: 599 complaints 2011 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2015 2016: 182 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2017 2018: 745 complaints 2019: 396 complaints 2019 2020: 274 complaints 2021: 156 complaints 2021 2022: 60 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2023 2024: 51 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025

1997: 555 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198633
198758
198869
1989117
1990136
1991155
1992569
1993263
1994306
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003781
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072,886
2008933
20091,293
2010603
2011599
2012590
2013274
2014455
2015269
2016182
2017148
2018745
2019396
2020274
2021156
202260
202364
202451
2025146

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

23% · 125 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-18

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 101 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Suspension

13% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing front and macpherson strut.

CRASH

Air bags

10% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states was hit from the rear by another vehicle traveling approx 25-30MPH and in turn collided with a vehicle in front. Both driver and passenger air bags did not deploy.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-15

Vehicle was involved in a head-on crash going 38 MPH and there was no deployment of air bags. Vehicle will be taken to repair shop on 3/27/97.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-03-24

While driving vehicle was struck head-on from the passenger's right side and the air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-02-19

Electrical system

7% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-13

Also filed under Engine

While traveling, exiting toll, occupants heard a pop and then steering started jiggling. Before actually pulling over to inspect vehicle, smoke and then flames began shooting out from underneath by accelerator pedal.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-09

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 555 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1997-07-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-11-28 Ignition interlock failure
  3. R
    1997-10-01Service brakes, hydraulic97V156000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan,Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new design brake vacuum hose.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1997-12-15Electrical system97V213000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the key interlock solenoid.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1999-11-30Steering99V307000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel set nut may not have been sufficiently tightened causing steering vibration and looseness.

    Remedy: Dealers will tighten the steering wheel set nut.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2002-04-30Defect petitionClosed 2002-06-20 Engine seizure
  7. I
    2002-10-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-18 Engine compartment fire
  8. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 125 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 101 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 70 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V156000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 97V213000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 99V307000 · Steering
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Toyota Camry reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Toyota Camry is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota Camry?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Camry have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.