MYRModel Year Report

1997 Toyota Camry

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Camry Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 32 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 64 complaints 1989: 113 complaints 1989 1990: 134 complaints 1991: 149 complaints 1992: 565 complaints 1993: 260 complaints 1994: 287 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1997 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 780 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 931 complaints 2009: 1289 complaints 2010: 600 complaints 2011: 597 complaints 2012: 587 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 452 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 177 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 726 complaints 2019: 385 complaints 2019 2020: 263 complaints 2021: 153 complaints 2022: 57 complaints 2023: 58 complaints 2024: 45 complaints 2025: 133 complaints 2025
1997: 555 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198632
198758
198864
1989113
1990134
1991149
1992565
1993260
1994287
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008931
20091289
2010600
2011597
2012587
2013274
2014452
2015268
2016177
2017148
2018726
2019385
2020263
2021153
202257
202358
202445
2025133

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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. MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021015

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970324

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON FROM THE PASSENGER'S RIGHT SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970219

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 30 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 27 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 555
I 19970716 — PE (closed 19971128)

IGNITION INTERLOCK FAILURE

R 19971001 — service brakes, hydraulic

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,

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

Campaign 97V156000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971215 — electrical system

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID.

Campaign 97V213000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991130 — steering

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.

Campaign 99V307000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020430 — DP (closed 20020620)

ENGINE SEIZURE

I 20021022 — PE (closed 20030318)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (40 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V213000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V307000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2009 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

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, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 7% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Camry have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.