NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 558 owner complaints for the 1997 Toyota Camry. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (94) and engine and engine cooling (94). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Camry model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 421 |
| 1997 | 558 |
| 1998 | 610 |
| 1999 | 590 |
| 2000 | 530 |
| 2001 | 330 |
| 2002 | 1,039 |
| 2003 | 818 |
| 2004 | 799 |
| 2005 | 721 |
| 2006 | 435 |
| 2007 | 3,616 |
| 2008 | 1,178 |
| 2009 | 1,412 |
| 2010 | 614 |
| 2011 | 624 |
| 2012 | 645 |
| 2013 | 301 |
| 2014 | 480 |
| 2015 | 271 |
| 2016 | 189 |
| 2017 | 148 |
| 2018 | 754 |
| 2019 | 400 |
| 2020 | 275 |
| 2021 | 158 |
| 2022 | 65 |
| 2023 | 65 |
| 2024 | 52 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.”
“PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION BELOW, AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME PURSUE THIS MATTER. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST TOYOTA AND LUCAS OIL. > ATTORNEY COMMENT: THE WEBSITE FOR LUCAS OIL REGARDING ITS STOP LEAK PRODUCT SAYS THAT IT REPAIRS WORN SEALS WITHOUT RISK OF DAMAGE. > >ATTORNEY COMMENT: THIS SITUATION PRESENTS AN UNUSUAL ISSUE IE THE LIABILITY OF THE OIL LEAK PRODUCT FOR NOT WARNING AGAINST USE OF THE PRODUCT IN A CAR PRONE TO SLUDGING. > > I ADDED 1 QUART OF LUCAS ENGINE OIL STOP LEAK (PURCHASED AT PEP BOYS) TO THE ENGINE OIL OF MY 1997 V-6 TOYOTA CAMRY, WHICH CAUSED A ROD TO BE THROWN, KILLING THE ENGINE. (PRIOR TO THIS, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE, BUT I DID HAVE A SLIGHT ENGINE OIL LEAK PROBLEM.) THE ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS $3,171.91. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS 177,559 MILES ON IT. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THAT MY CAR ENGINE IS PRONE TO SLUDGE AND SLUDGE DAMAGE DUE TO DESIGN ERROR. HAD I BEEN AWARE OF THIS, I NEVER WOULD HAVE ADDED THIS PRODUCT. AS IT IS, NEITHER TOYOTA NOR LUCAS OIL POSTED ANY WARNINGS ABOUT USING THIS PRODUCT IN MY CAR ENGINE. AS SUCH, I CONTACTED BOTH…”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camry Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Camry Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Camry Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Camry Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 558 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (94), engine and engine cooling (94), suspension (69). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Toyota Camry at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).