1997 Toyota Camry
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 108 of 555 complaints (19%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (39) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 417 in 1996 to 555 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–3,300 | 2,600–3,100 | 1,950–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 21–23 | 19–23 | 20–24 | 20–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–20 / 26–29 | 18–20 / 25–28 | 17–20 / 24–29 | 17–21 / 25–29 | 17–21 / 25–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–423 | 386–423 | 386–468 | 370–444 | 306–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 303 | 417 | 555 | 600 | 585 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 46 | 57 | 79 | 64 | 115 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 8 | 27 | 31 | 43 | |
| Injuries reported | 49 | 59 | 59 | 45 | 95 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Camry have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Toyota Camry?
Brakes: 108 of 555 NHTSA complaints (19%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Camry get?
EPA rates it 19–23 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Toyota Camry?
EPA estimates $2,700–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 102 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 1 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 35 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 42 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 108 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 30 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 87 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 85 | 45 | 0 | 39 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 30 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 58 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 24 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · Campaign 99V307000 · Nov 8, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 97V213000 · Nov 20, 1997
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST · Campaign 97V156000 · Sep 18, 1997
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.