MYRModel Year Report

1997 Toyota Camry

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-09-02

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: 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 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: 933 complaints 2009: 1293 complaints 2010: 602 complaints 2011: 598 complaints 2012: 589 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 180 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 736 complaints 2019: 392 complaints 2019 2020: 270 complaints 2021: 154 complaints 2022: 58 complaints 2023: 62 complaints 2024: 47 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
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008933
20091293
2010602
2011598
2012589
2013274
2014455
2015268
2016180
2017148
2018736
2019392
2020270
2021154
202258
202362
202447
2025146

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 23%

23% of complaints: service brakes — 125 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20140618

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%

18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 101 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 70 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and macpherson strut.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 55 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 40 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and ignition.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20240413

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, 20020909

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 issues (125 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (101 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (70 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 ▲ 1987

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, 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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.