27 of the
685 complaints about the 1997 Toyota Camry are about the
body and structure — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
100,000 miles.
1997 TOYOTA CAMRY TRAVELING AT OR ABOUT 30 MPH STRUCK A STANDING/STOPPED VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. STANDING VEHICLE STRUCK REAR END OF CAR IN FRONT. 1997 TOYOTA DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE, BODILY INJURIES. FACIAL INJURIES INCLUDE LIP/MOUTH CONTUSION, EYE SOCKET BRUISES FROM STRIKING STEERING WHEEL. STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN. OTHER BODILY INJURIES INCLUDES LARGE INTERIOR RIGHT KNEE HEMATOMA, BROKEN LEFT FOOT REQUIRING IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION OF METAL PLATE & SCREWS & MULTIPLE BRUISES TO BOTH LEGS. DRIVER IS WW2 VET & IS SCHEDULED FOR 3 WEEKS REHAB IN CARE FACILITY. CAR IS CURRENTLY A LOCAL SALVAGE YARD AWAITING DISPOSITION WITHIN 2 DAYS. POLICE REPORT 902361501 ON FILE AT AVON INDIANA POLICE DEPARTMENT & INDICATES DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10670012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesOAK Lawn, IL
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10627284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,362 milesElkhart, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED AND BROKE INTO TWO PIECES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CLOSE TO THE MOUNTING BOLTS.
NHTSA complaint #10505870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesMonona, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD DETACHED AND FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HINGES FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10470429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL BE UNLOCKED ITSELF WHEN THERE IS A SMALL EXPTERN FORCE ACT TO DOOR FROM INSIDE THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE DASH BOARD ALSO INDICATE THE DOOR IS UNLOCK AND THE DOME LIGHT IS ONL. FURTHER MORE, IT HAPPENDS SOMETIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHCIH IS NOT COMPLANATE.
NHTSA complaint #10179238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesColumbus, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WITHIN 1 MONTH, BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10102158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesPoland, ME
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TRUNK LID WAS CUTTING THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE BACK UP LIGHTS WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE TRUNK. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10079902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesIrmo, SC
STRUCTURE
DURING COLD WEATHER THE PISTON THAT RELEASES THE GAS HATCH DOOR FROZE TO THE HOUSING. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE THE GAS DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE PISTON BROKE IN HALF. SINCE THE PISTON WAS FROZEN IN PLACE, THE GAS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. OWNERS MANUAL DID NOT REFERENCE HOW TO DEFEAT THE MECHANISM AND DRIVER COULD NOT FILL WITH GAS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMarietta, GA2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
IN 2001, WHEN OPENING DRIVER'S DOOR FROM OUTSIDE WITH THE DOOR UNLOCKED THE FLAT PART OF THE HANDLE THAT IS FLUSH WITH THE OUTER BODY OF THE DOOR BROKE OFF FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE HANDLE FIXED INTO THE DOOR LEAVING A SHARP PIECE OF PLASTIC ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HANDLE AREA THAT MUST BE PRIED UP TO OPEN THE DOOR. IN THE SAME WEEK, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID THE SAME THING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT "THESE PLASTICS JUST DON'T HOLD UP WELL IN THIS SUN." I WAS ALSO TOLD IT WOULD COST $150 TO REPAIR THEM [AS OF JANUARY 2003 IT WOULD NOW COST $200 TO REPAIR THEM] AND THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS IN ITS FOURTH YEAR, THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. I AND MY WIFE HAVE BOTH BEEN CUT SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE IS STILL "THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR 36 MONTHS."
NHTSA complaint #10005020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMarietta, GA2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
IN 2001, WHEN OPENING DRIVER'S DOOR FROM OUTSIDE WITH THE DOOR UNLOCKED THE FLAT PART OF THE HANDLE THAT IS FLUSH WITH THE OUTER BODY OF THE DOOR BROKE OFF FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE HANDLE FIXED INTO THE DOOR LEAVING A SHARP PIECE OF PLASTIC ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HANDLE AREA THAT MUST BE PRIED UP TO OPEN THE DOOR. IN THE SAME WEEK, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID THE SAME THING. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT "THESE PLASTICS JUST DON'T HOLD UP WELL IN THIS SUN." I WAS ALSO TOLD IT WOULD COST $150 TO REPAIR THEM [AS OF JANUARY 2003 IT WOULD NOW COST $200 TO REPAIR THEM] AND THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS IN ITS FOURTH YEAR, THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. I AND MY WIFE HAVE BOTH BEEN CUT SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA'S RESPONSE IS STILL "THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY FOR 36 MONTHS."
NHTSA complaint #10005020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jensen Beach, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, DRIVER'S RIGHT LEG HIT BOTTOM CORNER OF DOOR, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY HALF WAY BETWEEN ANKLE AND KNEE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #897806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irmo, SC
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER'S OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILED - PLASTIC HANDLE BROKE - DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #750379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PLASTIC LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE & COULD NOT GET OUT OF CAR THROUGH DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #738311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waynesboro, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MY TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I HAD THEM REPLACED. LESS THAN SIX MOTHS LATER THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. ONE OF MY ELECTRIC LOCKS NO LONGER WORKS. THE DOOR DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. THE DEALER FIXED IT, AND THEN THE LOCK ASSEMBLY WENT BAD A MONTH LATER. MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS, IT S NOT THE BULB. THE SHIFTER LIGHT WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT WENT OUT. MY ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT BEEP TO CONFIRM ITS OPERATING. I WAS CHARGED TO HAVE IT RESET AND IT WENT BAD LESS THAN SIX MONTHS LATER. NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #736572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
STRUCTURE
FRONT AIR DAM SCRAPES WHEN VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER DIPS AND IN TO DRIVEWAYS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER'S SUN VISOR SNAPPED OFF THE RETAINING CLIP, HITTING DRIVER ON THE FOREHEAD. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
STRUCTURE
COMPANY AGREES THAT HEADLINER IS LOOSE WILL NOT REPAIR OR GIVE ESTIMATE BECASE NOT COVERED BY CURRENT TSB AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. TSB IS OUT CURRENTLY FOR SOME CAMRY'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. SERVICE MANAGER STATES THIS IS A SERVICE ADJUSTMENT AND NOT A DEFECT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND CAUSES A LOSS IN VALUE.
NHTSA complaint #718560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St.louis, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY
WITH MORE THEN TWO PASSENGERS BOTTOM OF AUTO SCRAPES THE SURFACE OF ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #716049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Missouri City, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVERS OUTSIDE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE BROKE, RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE OF CAR
NHTSA complaint #713847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND COUSING DAMAGE ON THE CAR. YH
NHTSA complaint #609297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northridge, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR PANELS INSIDE UPHOLSTRY FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #608765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Crescen, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INSIDE DOOR RELEASE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northprt, ALCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE HYDROPLANED @ APPORX. 65-70 MPH HITTING A CONCRETE BRIDGE WHICH TURNED THE VEHICLE 180 DEGREES AND THE FRONT HIT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BRIDGE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED SPINNING. NIETHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #700142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grover Beach, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HINGE LOOSE ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #607582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SAFETY HAZARD QUESTION: DUE TO CAR AERODYNAMICS, DOORS, ESPECAILLY FRONT DRIVER/PASSENGER DOORS CURVE INWARD TO A SHARP POINT AT TOP EDGE. POSES HAZARD TO PASSENGERS SHUTTING THE DOORS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF SHORTER STATURE BECAUSE IT IS AT FACE/HEAD LEVEL. HAVE HAD PASSENGERS CLOSING DOOR CATCH THAT POINT-EDGE, ONE REQUIRED SEVERAL STITCHES TO TEMPLE AFTER "CATCHING THE EDGE." HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS KIND? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. MARY TAYLOR
NHTSA complaint #703878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Larchmont, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
THERE IS SHAKING IN THE TIRE, AND THE TIRERS ARE OUT OF BALANCE. ALSO, THERE IS A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE STRUCTURE.
NHTSA complaint #830475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmingdale, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER DOOR RELAY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #528159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.