1997 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

A GROANING OR CURNCHING NOISE MAY BE HEARD FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMP OR DIPS ON THE ROAD. *AK

THIS IS MAINLY AN INQUIRY REGARDING A FAILURE IN A SEATBELT THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER IS SAYING THAT THE SEATBELT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AS IT IS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM, WE ASSUMED IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY FOR MUCH LONGER. THE REAR SEATBELTS ARE RARELY USED. THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED BY AN SUV LAST YEAR BUT IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS IT WAS USED A COUPLE OF TIMES AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. *AK

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. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

DRIVERS OUTSIDE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE BROKE, RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE OF CAR

CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH INDICATING BRAKE PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATES TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING. CONSUMER STATES BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOUR TIMES. CONSUMER FEELS THERE A DEFECT IN THE BRAKES THAT ARE BEING PUT ON VEHICLE. MR MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM MET THE SATISFACTORY SPECIFICATIONS-DECLINED REPAIR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ELAPSED BRAKE WORK ON THE DATE OF 8/15/02 IN THE AMOUNT OF $659.44. SCC

THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT MAKES A LOT OF NOISE. SOMETIMES GRINDS AND VIBRATE. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE DONE WORK TO THEM ONCE. THEY TELL ME EVERY IS TO CODE. ON FRIDAY OCTOBER22, 1999 THEY FAILED ON ME. DEALER SAYS BECAUSE THE CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEY CAN NOT FIX IT. THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE.

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

THE ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS ARE DEFECTIVE. WHEELS ARE DELAMINATING CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. PH

97 CAMRY 4 CYLLINDER PURCHASED USED (34533 MI) SEPT, 99. WITHIN A WEEK NOTICED: FRONT GRILL BROKEN; GRINDING, SCRAPING NOISE IN FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM; DISTINCT "CHUNK" NOISE PRIMARILY IN RT FR WHEEL WELL AREA FROM MACPHERSON STRUT (LFT NOISY ALSO); CA

DRIVER POWER SEAT MOVES FRONT/BACK WHEN ACCELERATING/BRAKING. VERY ANNOYING AND CHEAP FEELING. COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT INJURY.

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. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK; SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY. ON THE THIRD INCIDENT SHE SWIPED A FENCE. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED $1,600.00 WORTH OF DAMAGES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,125. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000. UPDATED 03/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB

ENGINE STOPS AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. ACTS AS THOUGH IT WAS OUT OF GAS. CONSEQUENTLY I HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP AND SOMETIMES ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS.

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESTITATE WHEN APPLYING THE GAS. WOULD GO SHORT DISTANCES AND MAKE CLANKING/SCRAPING NOISES. PULLED INTO GAS STATION & WAS INFORMED TO TOW VEHICLE TO MECHANIC. THOUGHT IT WAS DIFFERENTIAL. THERE WAS A LOT METAL INSIDE TRANSMISSION. *AK

OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *MJS

MOTORIZED REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 60 MPH A POPPING NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD BEFORE THE VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. NLM

THE SECOND AC COMPRESSOR FAILED AFTER 9,000 MILES, THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME,TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER COSTS, WANTS 1400.00 TO REPLACE. *AK

DURING COLLISION AIRBAG'S EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT, CAUSING THE DRIVER AND HIS WIFE TO SUSTAIN SOME INJURIES. *YC

AS MY CAR CRESTED A SMALL HILL ON 7-15-99, THE ENGINE REVVED TO ABOUT 4000 RPM AND THERE WAS NO POWER. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE WHICH THEN WORKED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT TWO BLOCKS LATER. I TOOK THE CAR TO WILKINS TOYOTA THE NEXT DAY. THEY REPLACED A SPEED SENSOR. THE CAR SEEMED OK BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED A FEW DAYS LATER. I RETURNED TO WILKINS TOYOTA 7-21. THEY REPLACED ANOTHER SPEED SENSOR, SAYING TOYOTA HAD A DEFECTIVE LOT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON BUT LATER WENT BACK OFF. WILKINS SAID THE FAULT CODE WOULD BE STORED ANYWAY AND BRING IT BACK. I DID. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO FAULT CODE AND DECLINED TO DO ANYTHING. AT THIS TIME I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE INTERNET BUT NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY. THE CAR WAS THEN OK FOR A WHILE (I WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS) UNTIL THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON 10-27. I TOOK THE CAR TO WILKINS TOYOTA. THEY REPLACED YET ANOTHER SPEED SENSOR WHICH FAILED TONIGHT AFTER ONLY 15 MILES. THIS IS DANGEROUS. TWO OF THE FAILURES WERE ON THE FREEWAY, INCLUDING TONIGHT'S. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND HAD TO USE 2ND GEAR AT IGH RPMS TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD EXIT. THIS IS FOUR BAD SENSORS IN 3 MONTHS AND WITHIN 2500 MILES. I BELIEVE SOMETHING IN THE CAR IS CAUSING THE FAILURES BECAUSE TOYOTA COULDN'T HAVE SO MANY BAD ONES OR NO ONE'S CAR WOULD RUN. CAN YOU HELP?

CAR WRECK.AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. CONSUMER OBTAINED POLICE REPORT. *AK

THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE RATTLES AS IF THE STRUTS ARE LOOSE. DEALER STATES UPPER STRUT BUSHINGS ARE NOW WORN OUT, BUT NOT A HAZARD. PEOPLE RIDING IN MY CAR STATE THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF, WHEN THE CAR RUNS OVER BUMPS. THIS NOISE STARTED DURING MY WARRANTY PERIOD ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE ONLY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE RIGHT STRUT WAS FINE. TODAY, THEY STILL SAY THE STRUTS ARE STILL FINE, BUT NOW BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEELS SOUND LOOSE. *AK

FRONT BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOICE. DEALER REPLACED A 2-PAGE LIST OF PARTS AT 22K MILES. THE NOISE IS BACK AT 44K MILES. ANY ADVISE?*AK

SUN ROOF EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY FOR NO REASON, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND HAD A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT THE VEHICLE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. ALSO THE REAR SHOULDERBELT DID NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND THE OCCUPANT SUSTAIN INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.

CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING ABOUT 53 MPH, AND COULDN'T CONTROL VEHICLE. DROVE OFF THE ROAD, AND CRASHED. UPON IMPACT, VEHICLE NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

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.

THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE MOTOR THAT CONTROLS THE WINDOW JUST DIED. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST BY A BODY SHOP. THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ON 4/16/01 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM ON 4/19/01 AND REPLACED AIR FUEL RATIO (AFR) SENSOR. ON 6/26/02 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM ON 6/29/02 AND AGAIN REPLACED AFR SENSOR. IT COST OVER $700.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ARE THERE PROBLEMS WITH AFR SENSORS? --- ABOUT MAY, 1999, THE VEHICLE STARTED PRODUCING VISIBLE EXHAUST SMOKE AT START UP. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TODAY. THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN STARTING A COLD ENGINE (WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS NOT RUN FOR FEW HOURS). VEHICLE RECENTLY PASSED A SMOG CHECK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. ARE THERE KNOW PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE PRODUCING EXHAUST SMOKE WHEN STARTING A COLD ENGINE? IS THE EXHAUST SMOKE RELATED TO AFR SENSOR FAILURE?*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 25-30 MPH, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

SPARK PLUG LOOSE, REPAIRS WERE DONE. *YC

HAD TO REPLACE 3 MOTORS IN DRIVER'S POWER ADJUSTING SEAT. PIN KEPT FALLING OUT. DEALER REPAIRED FIRST TIME. CURRENTLY, COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, SEAT HAS BEEN LOOSE. DEALER SAID NEW SEAT TRACK NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED AT $1600. ADD VIN AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION.*AK

LIGHTER FLEW OUT OF LIGHTER HOLDER CAUSING A FIRE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.

WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS CONSUMER TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES, AND FELT THE ABS KICKING. BUT, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. *AK

DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH, AND MAKES CLICKING NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND GOING. *AK

PROBLEM STARTED 12/17/97 WITH 4581 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM BEING A NOISE UNDERNEATHJ THE CAR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHE THE LAST BEING 2/2/99 TRYING TO GET THE PROBLEM SOLVED. THEY HAVE TRIED ON EACH TIME WORKING WITH THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY AND THE STRUTS. THEY HAD TOYOTA REP IN ON THIS LAST TIME AND HE SAID THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM MORE NOTICEABLE IN COLD TEMPERATURE AND THAT THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO COME UP WITH A FIX. PROBLEM IS MAINLY A DESIGN PROBLEM IN THE STRUT ASSEMBLY. ALSO HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF POOR VISABILITY PATTERN THEY PROJECT AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. THIS MATTER HAS ALSO HAD SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT CORRECTING WITH THE LAST BEING 2/2/99

HAD FOOT FIRMLY ON BRAKE, CHANGED GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND WHILE FOOT WAS STILL ON BRAKE THE CAR STARTED ROLLING AND CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL IT HIT A TREE.

LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BULB BURNED OUT. *YC

LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED. *YC

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO ACCIDENTS. 1ST. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE SIDE. 2ND ACCIDENT INVOLVED A HEAD-ON COLLISION. ON BOTH OCCASIONS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED OF THE THE 1ST ACCIDENT. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE SIDE. ON THE SECOND ACCIDENT DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THE TIME. 831843 DUP OF 831726; POSTED ON 09-07-1999. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS IN WHICH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON BOTH OCCASIONS. DEALER/MFR. NOTIFED. *AK

VEHICLE EXPRIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM SQUEAKING WHILE STOPPING OR MAKING A TURN. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS FOR REPAIR AND PARTS REPLACEMENT. BUT SQUEAKING STILL OCCURS. SEEKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH HAD A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE ENGINE SIEZED AT 21,000 MILE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN #. *AK

FRONT STRUT FAILING TO OPERATE BETWEEN 6000 -7000 MILES OF WEAR. WHENEVER VEHICLE HIT A BUMP THE STRUT WOULD BOTTOM OUT/ METAL TO METAL ARE HITING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

ENGINE DIED, DIAGNOSED THAT A POWER SHORT ON AIR BAG ASSEMBLY FAILED. YH

WHEN GETTING IN OR OUT OF VEHICLE & CLOSING THE DOOR, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD BE MAKING A CLICKING SOUNDS AS IF LOCKING. THE DOORS ARE NOT LOCKED. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE DOOR IS LOCKED. THE SOLENOID WOULD MAKE THAT CLICKING NOISE. CONTACTED DEALER & WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED NOR WAS PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. *AK