Model year record

1997 Toyota Camry

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 686 owner complaints on file.

Toyota Camry, 1997–2001 generation
Pictured: the 1997–2001 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V307000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Vehicles affected
540,037
Reported to NHTSA
1999-11-01
Owners notified
1999-11-30

Defect description

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

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V213000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Vehicles affected
289,326
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-20
Owners notified
1997-12-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V156000

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Vehicles affected
18,746
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-17
Owners notified
1997-10-01

Defect description

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.

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip40—
Air bags: frontal34147,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3170,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2787,000 mi
Suspension2747,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2581,061 mi
Vehicle speed control24101,993 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components23—
Suspension: front2340,000 mi
Air bags1890,000 mi
Seats1757,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1481,826 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1464,047 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc13—
Unknown or other13—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch12—
Steering1275,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar11150,000 mi
Structure: body: door1150,000 mi
Electrical system10150,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1088,207 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1039,000 mi
Tires1065,000 mi
Engine7100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights737,177 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads7—
Structure: body7150,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood6101,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system6—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch650,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust6—
Seats: front assembly: recliner6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor649,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition5—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control5—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner587,000 mi
Power train5100,000 mi
Service brakes5100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal475,041 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system4—
Seat belts460,000 mi
Structure472,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt430 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module371,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch3—
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid3194,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring378,238 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Seat belts: rear/other317,855 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum3—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments350,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber3—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal310,000 mi
Child seat2—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk210,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe273,890 mi
Equipment: electrical2—
Exterior lighting21,223 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline2177,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly268,000 mi
Interior lighting2—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor220,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Steering: column2—
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting250,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion287,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber2—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire250,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Child seat: retractor1—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel174,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly179,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash146,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger140,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)187,000 mi
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights139,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump168,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage162,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank173,890 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other: delivery1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly184,453 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes, air1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1167,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist137,177 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device175,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly150,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1160,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm186,000 mi
Suspension: rear1—
Traction control system1147,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables150,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels120,000 mi
Wheels: hub1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Toyota Camry model years

All Toyota Camry recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.