Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1997 Toyota Camry Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 1.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
555Complaints
4Recalls
79Crashes
27Fires
59Injured
3Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (7.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 1.5× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 40 · 7.2% | Recalled | Recall 97V156000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 34 · 6.1% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 31 · 5.6% | not available | — |
| Suspension | 27 · 4.9% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 27 · 4.9% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 25 · 4.5% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 555 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 4 campaigns
Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
NHTSA campaign 99V307000 · 1999 · reported 11/01/1999
THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:ignition
NHTSA campaign 97V213000 · 1997 · reported 11/20/1997
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
NHTSA campaign 97V156000 · 1997 · reported 09/17/1997
THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, ALSO FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WERE INSTALLEDMEXHAUST FRONT PIPE WAS INSTALLED.*ADJ”NHTSA complaint 838563 — filed 05/26/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“I STILL HAVE THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEM AND UNEVEN STOPPING POWER/GRIND.”NHTSA complaint 701377 — filed 01/25/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THE FRONT BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND PRODUCE A GRINDING SOUND WHEN APPLIED WITH NORMAL PRESSURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT TOYOTA KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT…”NHTSA complaint 700668 — filed 11/17/1998 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota Camry?
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 40 of 555 NHTSA complaints (7.2%), followed by air bags:frontal (34), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (31), suspension (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Toyota Camry have?
555 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 79 involved a crash, 27 involved a fire, and 59 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E025000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Toyota Camry's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
