Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 1
Average Mileage:
58,627 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Toyota Camry engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Toyota Camry:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Toyota Camry Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Jan 082014

Camry 4-cyl

  • 123,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Accelerator pedal sometimes sticks at a stop when pushed to start moving forward. I have noticed this for the past few years.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #23

Nov 162013

Camry

  • 260,000 miles
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.

- Sylmar, CA, USA

problem #22

Jul 012013

Camry

  • miles
1997 Toyota Camry. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. The consumer stated he was at a gas station, and almost parked, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated, and was unstoppable. Consequently, he crashed into a fence. The consumer and his passenger were injured.

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 082011

Camry 4-cyl

  • 79,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Backing down access road to parking lot, boat ramp and recreation area. Had foot on the brake when sudden acceleration endangered car and driver. Directed car into the side of a parked truck to avoid crashing into area where people were working, and also to avoid going into river which was very close by. Back end of car struck side of truck then car bounced off careened toward river with accelerator still jammed. Pressed foot down hard on brake and pulled up E brake until car finally stalled.

- Mclean, VA, USA

problem #20

Dec 072010

Camry

  • 143,057 miles
With my right foot on the brake pedal, prepared to come to a complete stop when parking in the carport stall there was instead a sudden acceleration and the car "jumped" over the concrete curb on the floor and broke through the carport wall. Another problem occurred some years earlier when the gas pedal got stuck while driving on the freeway. Frightening as it was I managed to reach down and manually release the pedal.

- Goleta, CA, USA

problem #19

Oct 112010

Camry

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking spot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated in reverse crashing into the vehicle behind it. No one was injured crash. The manufacturer had not been notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Valley Glen, CA, USA

problem #18

Apr 202010

Camry

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact stated that when he depressed the brake pedal to slow down, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, spun around twice and crashed into a guard rail. The contact suffered neck injuries and a police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact had not called the manufacturer when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Newtown, PA, USA

problem #17

Jun 212002

Camry

  • miles
While driving at approx. 70 mph. On cruise control. Cancel cruise control was pushed. However, the accelerator stuck. Causing the a head-on collision. The driver of the other car was killed on impact. Updated 9/29/11

- Porter Ranch, CA, USA

problem #16

Nov 251997

Camry

  • miles
While sitting in the passenger seat of a moving 1996 or 1997 Toyota Camry the driver turned to me and asked how I liked his mom's new car. I said I liked it. At that moment the vehicle began accelerating eastward on rt. 105 in hope, Maine. Thinking my friend (the operator of the vehicle) was in control I failed to pull the E-brake situated to my left. The driver then looked at me in fear as the car continued accelerating. Driver then jammed on the brakes, the vehicle swerved to the right and exited the paved road traveling extremely fast (about 150 mph's). Immediately before slamming head-on into the trees lining me rt. 105 the vehicle launched into the air flipping end over end 2 full rotations before halting on it's base. Driver's mom's 1996, or 1997 Toyota Camry was completely totaled during this accident. Police and rescue eventually arrived and removed us from the vehicle after a passerby phoned for help.

- Providence, RI, USA

problem #15

Jul 112008

Camry

  • 95,000 miles
My 1997 Toyota Camry experienced a sudden acceleration problem. I am convinced it was not the pedal becoming stuck. I felt the pedal depress from my foot and the car began to rapidly accelerate. I hit the brakes, but could not stop the car from accelerating so I shifted it to neutral at which point the engine blew. Smoke began pouring out of the hood but the brakes were able to stop the car at this point so I pulled over and got out of the car. The charlottesville/albemarle fire department was called but when they arrived the fire had gone out. The police department also arrived on scene, but apparently they did not file a report because there were no injuries and there was no accident. As I was waiting for a tow truck a drunk driver crashed about 50 feet from my car, but that's a different matter altogether.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #14

Feb 012010

Camry

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 1997 Camry xle. In the past year it has developed a "sticky" accelerator which causes the car to lunch from a standing still takeoff. This now typically occurs several times in an average errand related trip. It feels very mechanical as opposed to electronic. The accelerator is not slow to return and the floor mats are definitely not involved. I have sought no diagnosis or repair to date.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

problem #13

Jul 152007

Camry

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. Whenever the contact would drive the vehicle at 45mph he noticed that the vehicle would continue drive and maintain its speed even after the contact would release his foot from the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be serviced. The contact has noticed the failure since the day he purchased the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 32,000.

- Moultrie, GA, USA

problem #12

Jan 112009

Camry

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 30 mph on normal road conditions pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal and the pedal began to stick. The driver exerted an aggressive force before the accelerator pedal was released. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Shrewsbury, NJ, USA

problem #11

Oct 032005

Camry

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. While driving 40 mph the contact tried to slow the vehicle down by applying the brakes. The vehicle would not slow down, which caused a crash into another vehicle. The vehicle was totaled and the contact was injured by the air bag. The contact feels the accelerator pedal was sticking and that cause the crash. The contact did not called the manufacturer regarding this issue. The failure mileage was 93,000. The VIN 3 was unavailable.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 252009

Camry

  • 101,993 miles
Was parking the car, when it surged with unexpected burst of acceleration. Foot was on brake, not accelerator.

- Venice, CA, USA

problem #9

Jan 222008

Camry

  • miles
Failed to stop on highway at 65 mph. The road was icy but the vehicle's ABS was not working and the vehicle did not decelerate at all. I steering the vehicle to the ditch. I was lucky of not hitting other vehicles and I was safe. There is a problem with Toyota Camry's braking, it did not feel right!

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #8

Aug 152001

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine constantly surged. She was told that it could go out anytime.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #7

Jan 012001

Camry

  • miles
Car was driven for about 2 hours came to stop sign, stopped then presased on gas, engine revved, but acted as if it was in neutral, then power kicked in as if nothing happened. Ten minutes later I restarted the car, and had a hard time pulling it into the garage, it did the same thing in all gears including reverse. The next moring it did the same thing, after moving it was fine until stopped. The engine sounded fine and you would hear it reving then power kicks in. By that afternoon the car was fine and after two days at the dealer they have found nothing. I do not want my wife or I to drive this car.

- Linwood, NJ, USA

problem #6

Nov 211999

Camry

  • miles
Was backing into a parallel parking space when vehicle suddenly accelerated. Slammed on brakes. Hit another vehicle. Took foot off brakes and vehicle continued to surge backwards.

- Tahlequeah, OK, USA

problem #5

Aug 031998

Camry

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Isc valve is sticking.

- Alhambra, CA, USA

Read the next 4 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?