1997 Toyota Camry Problems

STEERING WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR ARE LOOSE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE IGNITION ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SERVICE BRAKES AND THE HYDRAULIC PARTS SEEMS TO WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING . THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIMMED IT IS HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE VACUUM HOSE LEAK AND TRACTION FAILURE. THE TRACK OFF WARNING INDICATOR WAS RESET AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

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.

STEERING WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR ARE LOOSE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE IGNITION ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SERVICE BRAKES AND THE HYDRAULIC PARTS SEEMS TO WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING . THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIMMED IT IS HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS WERE LEAKING OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN

MY REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED AND BROKE INTO TWO PIECES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CLOSE TO THE MOUNTING BOLTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END DRIVER SIDE COLLISION. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN BOTH A SIDE IMPACT AND FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (ACCIDENT NUMBER 2822). THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A BROKEN JAW AND NERVE DAMAGE THAT REQUIRED APPROXIMATELY 23 SURGERIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

TAKATA RECALL 1997 CAMRY HAD A MALFUNCTION IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND OFF, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATED AND EJECTED OCCUPANT OUT OF VEHICLE. ARE 1997 TOYOTA AIR BAGS GOING TO BE RECALLED?

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.

KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START CAR. STEERING WHEEL LOCK GOES IN AND OUT. EVENTUALLY (5-20 MINUTES) DO SOMETHING THAT WORKS (DON'T KNOW WHAT) AND CAR WILL START. WHEN IT HAPPENED ONCE, I FIGURED IT WAS AN ANOMALY. BUT IT HAS NOT HAPPENED FIVE TIMES AND I AM NOW IN CONSTANT WORRY ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. UPDATED 9/21/15 *LN ...UPDATED 10/01/15*BF THE CONSUMER STATED USING A DIFFERENT IGNITION KEY SEEMED TO HAVE ALLEVIATED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/13/15*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT LONGER MOVE BACK OR FORWARD IN THE SEAT TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT INVOLUNTARILY SLIDES BACK WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TYPE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

BOTH LEFT REAR AND RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS NO LONGER RETRACT, MAKING FOR AN EXTREMELY LOOSE AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCHES FOR ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT HOLD THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT EACH LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED FOUR OF THE FIVE LATCHES IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SOMETIMES STICKS AT A STOP WHEN PUSHED TO START MOVING FORWARD. I HAVE NOTICED THIS FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

The steering wheel is set off center to the right of the driver. Yes it is available upon request. Causes extreme back pains. Has not been inspected by police or insurance reps. Has not been inspected yet. No warning lights or messages in car dash for this. Since I had the car noticed this.

KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START CAR. STEERING WHEEL LOCK GOES IN AND OUT. EVENTUALLY (5-20 MINUTES) DO SOMETHING THAT WORKS (DON'T KNOW WHAT) AND CAR WILL START. WHEN IT HAPPENED ONCE, I FIGURED IT WAS AN ANOMALY. BUT IT HAS NOT HAPPENED FIVE TIMES AND I AM NOW IN CONSTANT WORRY ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. UPDATED 9/21/15 *LN ...UPDATED 10/01/15*BF THE CONSUMER STATED USING A DIFFERENT IGNITION KEY SEEMED TO HAVE ALLEVIATED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/13/15*JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHICH SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE FRONT. WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED AND THE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMERS RADIO WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT STICKS. VEHICLE TRUNK LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. THE DRIVER SIDE ADJUSTABLE HANDLE DOES NOT WORK. THE RUBBER ON THE MOTOR MOUNT DOES NOT LAST AND BREAKS. THE VEHICLE JERKS REPEATEDLY. *TC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE CURRENTLY HAS A PERMANENT BACK PROBLEM DUE TO THE ADJUSTABLE HANDLE NOT WORKING. *SC

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END ALSO, HAD PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK

1997 TOYOTA CAMRY TRAVELING AT OR ABOUT 30 MPH STRUCK A STANDING/STOPPED VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. STANDING VEHICLE STRUCK REAR END OF CAR IN FRONT. 1997 TOYOTA DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE, BODILY INJURIES. FACIAL INJURIES INCLUDE LIP/MOUTH CONTUSION, EYE SOCKET BRUISES FROM STRIKING STEERING WHEEL. STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN. OTHER BODILY INJURIES INCLUDES LARGE INTERIOR RIGHT KNEE HEMATOMA, BROKEN LEFT FOOT REQUIRING IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION OF METAL PLATE & SCREWS & MULTIPLE BRUISES TO BOTH LEGS. DRIVER IS WW2 VET & IS SCHEDULED FOR 3 WEEKS REHAB IN CARE FACILITY. CAR IS CURRENTLY A LOCAL SALVAGE YARD AWAITING DISPOSITION WITHIN 2 DAYS. POLICE REPORT 902361501 ON FILE AT AVON INDIANA POLICE DEPARTMENT & INDICATES DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

STEERING WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR ARE LOOSE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE IGNITION ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SERVICE BRAKES AND THE HYDRAULIC PARTS SEEMS TO WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING . THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIMMED IT IS HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE AUGUST OF 2002. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE. ON THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $5,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CURRENTLY REMAINS ILLUMINATED, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS STILL BEING DRIVEN. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR BECAUSE THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE CRACKED AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE MACHINED. THE TAILLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/10/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH GOODYEAR KELLY NAVIGATOR GOLD TIRES. THE TIRE SIZE WAS P195/70/R14 AND THE DOT NUMBER WAS M7RW17KR2407. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPEN, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUISHING NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE BELT SEPARATED WITHIN THE TIRE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND OFFERED TO PRORATE THE PRICE TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ON 3/21/07, I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FROM MERCHANTS TIRE IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WHICH INCLUDED NEW VALVE STEMS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I DROVE AWAY FROM THE SERVICE FACILITY, MY RF TIRE WAS FLAT. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION BY THE SERVICE WRITER AT MERCHANTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A LEAK HAD DEVELOPED FROM A CUT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VALVE STEM. IT WAS THE SERVICE WRITERS THEORY THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS NOT REPLACED DURING THE TIRE SERVICE. THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED AND NO PROBLEMS OCCURRED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR. ON 3/11/08, I COMPLAINED TO THE SAME FACILITY ABOUT ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH A CUT VALVE STEM BUT NO LEAKAGE OCCURRED. PROMPT REPLACEMENT WAS EFFECTED ON REQUEST AND AS OF THIS DATE, I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. *TR

ON SATURDAY 8/23/14 I WAS DROVE ON SW WALKER IN BEAVERTON, OREGON WITH THE SPEED IS 45RPM. THEN I WAS SMELL THE GAS IN MY CAR. THE SMELL OF GAS MAKE ME HEADACHE VERY BAD. I DROVE HOME AND CHECKED UNDERNEATH FRONT OF THE CAR AND SEE THE LEAK LOOK LIKE OIL LEAK ON THE GROUND BUT THIS IS NOT THE OIL LEAK. IT IS THE FUEL LEAK. I OPENED THE HOOK TO CHECKED FOR THE LEAK TO FIND WHERE THE LEAK COME FROM? I FOUND THE LEAKED CAME FROM THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL INJECTION CONNECTED TO FUEL FILTER. THE PIPE WAS CRACKED AND LEAD. MONDAY I DROVE 97 TOYOTA CAMRY TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR THE FUEL LINE LEAK. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP CHARGED ME $351.12 FOR REPLACED THE FUEL LINE TO STOP THE LEAK. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC ,WHERE HE DETERMINED THAT THE 90 DEGREE FUEL LINE CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TO LEAK OVER THE OUTSIDE OF THE TANK. THE CONTACT HAD THE FUEL LINE REPLACED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER FELT THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM AND CHARGED THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK THE FULE PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/25/07. *JB

WHEN TURNING ON HEATING SYSTEM THERE IS A BAD SMELL COMING THR0UGH THE VENT SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN FIVE PEOPLE WERE IN THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES SCRAPED REAR WHEEL WELLS AND UNDERCARRIAGE SCRAPED PAVEMENT. *SLC

BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND THE CAR RAN WELL BUT NOW THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WOULD SLIP FROM TIME TO TIME BUT NOW IS OUT COMPLETELY. WHICH SEEMS TO BE VERY MYSTERIOUS. I WAS SEARCJING TO SEE HOW COMMO. THE PROBLEM IS OR HAS BEEN. I THOUGHT THERE MIGHT. HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT DIDN'T SEE ANY...

I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL FOR A CONDITION THAT ALLOWS THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE TRANSMISSION STILL IN DRIVE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL EVENTS WHEN I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, REMOVED THE KEY AND IT STARTED TO ROLL AWAY DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING IN DRIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE VACUUM HOSE LEAK AND TRACTION FAILURE. THE TRACK OFF WARNING INDICATOR WAS RESET AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

SEAT BELTS WON'T RETRACT. HAVE HAD FRONT BELTS REPLACED ON MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY TWICE AND PROBLEM COMES BACK. BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT AND HANG OUT DOOR OR ON ME AFTER RELEASING. *NLM

5INCIDENTS: 1) MILDEW ODOR FROM AIRCONDITION (BROUGHT CAR TO CHECK--DATE NOT AVAILABLE). THE AIRCONDITION WAS REPLACED WITH EITHER NEW OR USED PART. *AK 2) WENT TO RENO (SNOWING) AND THE AIRCONDITION (HOT/COLD) DID NOT DEFROST PROPERLY ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALL FOGGED WITH NO VISIBILITY. I STICKED MY HEAD TO THE SIDE WINDOW AND DRIVE VERY SLOWLY & ON A SLOW LANE BEHIND A HUGE TRUCK--IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY!!!!! 3) PERIODICALLY, THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT FLASH TOO FAST BUT BY HITTING THE FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR IT'S WENT BACK TO NORMAL. 6) WHEEL ALIGNMENT--ALWAYS HAVE PROBLEM WITH THAT TOO (AT THE MOMENT CANNOT RECALL DETAILS). 5) ON 6/9/04, MY HUSBAND WENT TO GET A SMOG CHECK. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 15,000 MILES BU IT DIDN'T PASSED THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS VISUAL INSPECTION/FUNCTIONAL CHECK RESULTS. "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT--FAIL. THIS VEHICLE FAILED THE MIL/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DUE TO OBD COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE."--NO SIGNAL. THE CAR IS HARDLY USED AND PARKED IN GARAGE. WHAT SHOULD WE DO AND HOW CAN YOU HELP? THANKS ;-)!!!

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) WHEN A SOLID LIQUID STARTED SPILLING OUT OF THE VENTS. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE A/C REFRIGERATOR.*AK