FaultScore

1997 Toyota Camry seat problems

30 of the 685 complaints about the 1997 Toyota Camry are about the seats — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,000 miles.

D

30

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Seats 17 56.7%
Power Adjust 6 20.0%
Recliner 6 20.0%
Head Restraint 1 3.3%

Seats across every Toyota Camry year

1997 30 39.5%
2000 13 17.1%
2001 11 14.5%
2009 11 14.5%
2012 11 14.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 57,000 miles Baltimore, MD

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT LONGER MOVE BACK OR FORWARD IN THE SEAT TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA complaint #10405389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Seattle, WA

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT INVOLUNTARILY SLIDES BACK WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TYPE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10326574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Gatos, CA Crash

SEATS

ON SEPT. 15, 2009 I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A LARGE TRUCK WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. THE BACK OF THE SEAT FELL DOWN AND I WAS THROWN BACKWARDS TO THE BACK SEAT ABOUT 3 OR 4 INCHES . THE BACK OF THE SEAT LAID FLAT DOWN IN THE BACK SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10289038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Iowa City, IA

SEATS

MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY CE HAS HAD, SINCE IT'S VERY FIRST YEAR, AN OCCASIONAL BUT PERSISTENT AND RECURRING ISSUE WHERE THE DRIVER'S SEAT WILL SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFT AND RELATCH WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS OCCURS EVEN IF THE SEAT HAS NOT RECENTLY BEEN REPOSITIONED MANUALLY. IT FEELS AS IF IT IS RELATCHING ON ONE SIDE. THE RESULT IS A SUDDEN REPOSITIONING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF UP TO A FEW INCHES, AND RUNS THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF LOSS-OF-CONTROL IF IT WERE TO OCCUR AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME. NO POST-MARKET MODIFICATIONS TO MY DRIVER'S SEAT HAVE BEEN MADE AND THIS IS ALL IN REFERENCE TO ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS EQUIPMENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1996 (1997 MODEL YEAR). I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN RETITLED. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY TOYOTA, BUT WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE FOR SAFETY REVIEW. I WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS SITE, AND THUS THE DELAYED REPORT.

NHTSA complaint #10273006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

DRY Fork, VA 2 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

THE FRONT SEATS IN MY 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY LE COLLAPSE, ON TAKEOFFS OR LEANING BACK ON THEM WITH NOT MUCH PRESSURE OR FALL BACKWARDS WITHOUT NOTICE.

NHTSA complaint #10107570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY Crash

SEATS

CONSUMER STATES WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROX 25-30 MPH AND IN TURN COLLIDED W/A VEHICLE IN FRONT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS BUCKLED AND COLLAPSED BACKWARD. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SEVERE WHIPLASH INJURIES AS A RESULT. MR

NHTSA complaint #8020849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ALMOST ANY SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLIDES FORWARD AS IF IT IS NOT LOCKED INTO PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, ALTHOUGH THE SEAT HAD BEEN LOCKED INTO POSITION. AFTER AN OCCURENCE, I HAVE TRIED TO SEE IF THE SEAT WAS LOCKED BY SCOOTING FORWARD MANUALLY (WITHOUT USE OF THE LEVER). IT DOES NOT SLIDE AFTER DOING THIS, GIVING ME THE IMPRESSION THAT IT IS LOCKED. THE SEATBACK OF THIS SAME SEAT DOES NOT STAY LOCKED WELL EITHER. SOMETIMES, JUST GETTING IN THE VEHICLE AND LEANING ON THE SEAT, CAUSES IT (SEATBACK) TO SLIP OUT OF POSITION (BACKWARDS).

NHTSA complaint #762242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duball, WA

SEATS

DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK BROKE WHICH CAUSED SEAT TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST CONSUMER. AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #877651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gras Lake, MI

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

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.

NHTSA complaint #875209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

SEATS

DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK AND FORTH/UP AND DOWN, WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THEREFORE A BROKEN TRACK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, DRIVER'S SEAT BACK VERY LOOSE, CAUSING IT TO MOVE FORWARD PARTICULARLY DURING DRIVING. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Weatherford, TX Crash 2 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A RED LIGHT AND VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, IMPACT SPEED 40-45 MPH. BOTH, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATS COLLAPSED IN THE RECLINING POSITION, VEHICLE WAS FORCED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #871251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Copiague, NY

SEATS

DRIVERS SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. NLM

NHTSA complaint #784600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING SEAT GAVE AWAY. IT RECLINED STRAIGHT BACK IN A RESTING POSTION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN OF NO HELP.

NHTSA complaint #861709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rocklin, CA

SEATS

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

NHTSA complaint #713363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fullerton, CA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

MODEL XLS, POWER SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS MOVING WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING , JUST ENOUGH TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE . DLR CLAIMS NO REPAIR. TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ONLY MECHANICALSEATS.

NHTSA complaint #849888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angele, CA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

POWER SEAT ADJUSTER DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #606768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grover Beach, CA

SEATS

DRIVERS SEAT WASHER/NUT MISSING.

NHTSA complaint #607582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

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

NHTSA complaint #703559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Smyrna Beach, FL Crash

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

CONSUMER WAS REARENDED BY A VEHICLE GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ,DRIVER SEATBACK TRACK BROKE, CAUSING HER TO MOVE FORWARD, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #831647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valley Village, CA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, MOSTLY IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS, VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO STOP. ALSO BRAKES MAKE GROWLING NOISES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE HAS VISUAL PROBLEMS; HEADREST , BLOCKS VIEW WHEN LOOKING OUT OF REAR WINDOW. PROBLEM IS WITH ALL 4 HEADRESTS. HEADREST ARE TOO WIDE AND HIGH. POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW. DEALERS ARE AWARE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DEATAILS.

NHTSA complaint #827790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whittier, CA

SEATS

FRONT SEAT MOVED FORWARD ON THE TRACK WHEN REAR ENDED.

NHTSA complaint #537011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

WHEN SITTING IN THE VEHICLE THE SEAT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE. WHENEVER STOPPING AND PROCEEDING FORWARD THE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. HAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES, AND THEY SAID THERE SUPPOSE TO BE MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #824231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunnyvale, CA

SEATS

DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH. THE SEAT TRACK AND FRAME HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, YET THE MOVEMENT REMAINS.

NHTSA complaint #530885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunnyvale, CA

SEATS

DRIVER SEAT IS NOT STABLE, IT MOVE BACK AND FORTH.

NHTSA complaint #530747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK LOCKING MECHANISM DISENGAGED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, ALLOWING DRIVER'S SEAT TO SLIDE FORWARD/BACKWARD. DRIVER MADE SUDDEN STOP, SEAT SLID FORWARD, LAP BELT SQUEEZED DRIVER'S BELLY, RUPTURIED AMNIOTIC SACK. DEALER HAS NO PART TO CORRECT PROBLEM. REPORTED BY LAWYER.

NHTSA complaint #818872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Prospect Park, NJ

SEATS

DRIVER'S SEAT HAS ALOT OF PLAY. WHEN BRAKING IT FEELS LIKE THE DRIVER IS GOING OUT OF THE WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #526215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

SEATS

DRIVER'S ADJUSTABLE SEAT IS LOOSE, CAUSING IT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. IN ADDITION, FRONT END MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL SIDEWAYS UNDER RAINY/SNOWY CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #518902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER'S SEATBACK ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AND MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING.

NHTSA complaint #517932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Holly, CA

SEATS

THE CENTURY INFANT SEAT DOES NOT FIT IN THE CENTER OF REAR SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #511885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Toyota Camry problems

← Full 1997 Toyota Camry report