Toyota acknowledges to have issued only a "service bulletin" to its dealers on this issue. It does acknowledge a high number of incidents of failed struts and mounts on 1997, 1998 and1999 camrys.
1997 Toyota Camry engine complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 103, newest first, as owners wrote them.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Dealer says car not serviced properly....I have changed oil as required and contacted previous owner who says that he has done the same. No safety defect listed.
Brake pedal was going to the floor, dealer repaired front brakes. Consumer stated there is a noise in the front of the vehicle, dealer states 2 front struts need replaced, also axle boots leaked and dealer replaced. Vehicle was hard to start and then would die, dealer replaced the isc valve. Water pump leaked and was replaced.
Engine oil changed every 3000-4000 miles. I previously had honda accord with 186000 miles and no problems. There is an obvious defect with this engine!
The engine failed and the vehicle would not start, the failure resulted in an explosion and a hole in the engine, the warranty on the car was for 60000 miles, the dealer refused to abide by the warranty stating that the oil was not changed properly resulting in sludge, the consumer believes the vehicles slanted engine could possible impede the flow of oil as it returnes to the oil chamber thus resulting in sludge. Nlm
Excessive amounts of smoke was coming from rear of vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to a dealership that determined that an o-ring was allowing oil to leak from engine, which was burning up on engine/exhaust system. Please provide any additional information.
Transmission makes a noise when car is placed in reverse or placed in drive and the engine dies leading to brake failure.
The brakes are constantly squealing, I was told this is normal....the car keeps dying when I am coming to slow down to take right hand turn. Has been dangerous problem, I drive through two rotarys, it has stauled around them. I am very concerned.
For the last three years there has been a smell of sulfur that comes into the car whenever I acclerate or open the drivers side window. The catalytic converter has passed inspection checks. On the advice of my mechanic I changed the oxygen sensor and was even told to change to high test gasoline which helped slightly but the smell is still there. I contacted my dealer(lee toyota)who told me that noth8ing is wron with the converter. My private mechanic insists that the converter is the cause of the smell, but because it passes the emissions test it is not considered defective. A new converter will cost about $1200, but a defective one is warranted up to 80000 miles
When five people were in the vehicle, the tires scraped rear wheel wells and undercarriage scraped pavement.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Vehicle experienced problems with front end, upper strut mounts replaced twice, stabilizer and bushings replaced, and front end alignment, due to front end problems the tires were also replaced, consumer wants reimbursement.
My 1997 camry is having engine problems the dealer informerd me that the engine need a new short block and overhaul, and cost and labor will be $5952.56 plus tax , and that the work was not going to be covered under warrenty because I didn't have reciepts for the oil changes and in which paid the cost of $2011.52 just for them to tear apart the engine and find what was wrong with it put it back together. The dealer also informed me that the had engingeers from toyota come out take pictures of the engine and take a oil sample and at that time they made the decision that the company was not going to cover the car under the 60,000 mile warrenty. The explanation to me was the piston rings was burnt and the cyclinder was deaply scared and there was metal fragment in theoil pan and oil pump and that it all needed replacing. I disagreed with them when they stated to me this was the cause of bad oil in the engine also I did give them the last oil change reciept I did which was only the month before and also told them that my car usely set in storeage due to the fact that I am the only driver to the vehicle and I was deployed at sea every three months. Also on the $2011.52 payment they quoted me a cost of 2506.00 plus tax , also the reason I'm writing this is because a friend gave me a copy of the october 1999 consumer reports ad on hidden warranties and that did sounded like one of those cases.
Motor requires rebuilding due to oil sludge, oil has been changed in excess of warranty requirements, but factory will not honor warranty.
This vehicle never had repairs other than a shock replacement on the passenger side and normal maintenence. The vehicle left home in the morning and with in 4 miles smke came out of the engine compartment. All the guages showed normal right before the engine quit. It then became engulfed in flames and actually melted the entire engine compartment. This appears to be a serious defect and should be investigated. Toyota will not release the cause of the fire.
Oxygen sensors failed causing the check engine light to illuminate.
Engines stalls approx. 15 min. After warmed up upon acceleration and will does not restart for at least 1 min.
Wheels locked up on two occasions; one on a stop, and the other on a wet pavement. Also noticed grinding sound coming from front wheels. Vehicle hesitateing while stopping. Dealer / manufacturer notified.
Possible engine failure resulted in fire under the hood. Nlm
After a headgasket repair @ gresham toyota when the vehicle AC is turned on engine speed increases 500 rpms each time the AC pump cycles on , mostly while the vehicle is in motion, intermitently when the vehicle is stopped. When this happens at a stop the vehicle can lurch forward without warning posing a potentially hazardous condition. Also because of the constantly fluctuating engine speed (every 30 seconds at stop & every 10 seconds while in motion ) it is causing un-necessary wear & tear on other vehicel componants ie. Brakes,transmision AC compressor cooling fans (radiator) etc.
Spark plug loose, repairs were done.
While driving vehicle caught on fire, the location of where the fire started has not been determined, cause is also unknown. Please give any further details.
Rear wheel cylinder brake kit repair. Yh
Engine making knocking noise. Nm
Charcoal canister failed. Yh
Oxygen sensor failed.
Oil pan failed. Mjs
Smog sensor failed. Yh
Isc valve failed. Mjs
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Toyota Camry?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history