37 of the 685 complaints about the 1997 Toyota Camry are about the transmission — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.
37
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN
BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND THE CAR RAN WELL BUT NOW THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WOULD SLIP FROM TIME TO TIME BUT NOW IS OUT COMPLETELY. WHICH SEEMS TO BE VERY MYSTERIOUS. I WAS SEARCJING TO SEE HOW COMMO. THE PROBLEM IS OR HAS BEEN. I THOUGHT THERE MIGHT. HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT DIDN'T SEE ANY...
NHTSA complaint #11286748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL FOR A CONDITION THAT ALLOWS THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE TRANSMISSION STILL IN DRIVE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL EVENTS WHEN I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, REMOVED THE KEY AND IT STARTED TO ROLL AWAY DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING IN DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #11139471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS MAIN REASON THE TRANSMISSION LOCK UP. AND IT HAVE COOLING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10318334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS MAIN REASON THE TRANSMISSION LOCK UP. AND IT HAVE COOLING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10318336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING, THE MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHICH SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE FRONT. WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED AND THE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMERS RADIO WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT STICKS. VEHICLE TRUNK LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. THE DRIVER SIDE ADJUSTABLE HANDLE DOES NOT WORK. THE RUBBER ON THE MOTOR MOUNT DOES NOT LAST AND BREAKS. THE VEHICLE JERKS REPEATEDLY. *TC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE CURRENTLY HAS A PERMANENT BACK PROBLEM DUE TO THE ADJUSTABLE HANDLE NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10092351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END ALSO, HAD PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10072233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
LOUD KNOCKING HEARD FROM FRONT RIGHT OF VEHICLE. TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED CAUSE TO BE A BAD CV JOINT. ADDITIONALLY, DURING A ROUTINE ENGINE OIL CHANGE, I DISCOVERED AN UNUSUALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF BEADING SLUDGE THAT HAD TO BE REMOVED BY HAND TO DRAIL AND FILL THE OIL. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF THE TOYOTA ENGINES PRODUCING SLUDGE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS FIXED ON THEIR RECALL IF ONE OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10071232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER CAN START THE IGNITION WHEN TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED IN ANY POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10053325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED BY PIECES OF METAL.
NHTSA complaint #10019600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
UPON CHANGING GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE GEAR AUTOMATICALLY GOES INTO NEUTRAL, PLEASE PROVIDE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, AND FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE LEVER BEING IN PARK BUT NEUTRAL, THE DRIVER DID NOT REALIZE THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN DRIVEWAY AND HIT A PARKED TRUCK DAMAGING THE BACK OF THE CAR AND DAMAGING THE TRUCK. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
AS CONSUMER TRIED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. DEALER FOUND SHIFTER CABLE HAD STRETCHED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #889902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE IT HESITATES AND THEN BACKS SLOWLY. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO STERLING MCCALL TOYOTA IN HOUSTON TEXAS FOR ALL THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE MILAGE INTERVALS. ON ONE OF THE INVOICES I HAVE IT SHOWS WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN FLUSHED WHEN I TOOK IT THE 60,000 SERVICE MAINTAINENCE. I HAVE PAID FOR SEVERAL MAJOR TRANSMISSION SERVICE VISITS AND THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON MY CAR STILL EXIST. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALERSHIP ,ON BEHALF OF THEIR NEGLIANCE , INSPITE OF ALL MY SERVICE VISITS, MY TRANSMISSION HAS WORSENED. PLEASE HELP! INVESTIGATE AND ARBITRATION. IF YOU NEED FURTHER DETAILS, YOU MAY CONTACT ME ANYTIME HOME OR WORK.
NHTSA complaint #746158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION MAKES A NOISE WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN REVERSE OR PLACED IN DRIVE AND THE ENGINE DIES LEADING TO BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #745119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION LEAKED TWO TIMES RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF THE GASKET ON THE FLUID PAN. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
LEFT FRONT AXLE LEAKED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER FOR REGULAR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, SUCH AS 60,000 MILES SERVICE CHECK UP IN APR19 99. IN AUGUST, 19 99 FLUID WAS DIRTY. CONSUMER FELT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHECKED IN APR 1999. ON 01-APR-2000, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY HALF OF THE $4000. *AK THE TRANSMISSION REMAINING SLUGGISH AND WITHOUT REVERSE ACTION. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS ASKING THE DEALER TO PAY ALL THE COST OF REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #860582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VEHICLE CAN BE PLACED INTO GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING THE SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CNOTACTED. AK
NHTSA complaint #859382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
BRAKES LOCK UP, WILL NOT RELEASE EVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS,CAUSING MASS VIBRATION OR UNABLE TO STOP PROPERLY. HAVE REPLACED BRAKE CALIPERS, PROFESSIONALLY 3 TIMES. WORKED APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AND SITUATION STARTED AGAIN. 1ST INDICATION WAS BLAKES WERE ROCK HARD WHEN COMPRESSED. AS SPEED INCREASED, VIBRATION INCREASED. MECHANIC ADVISED ALSO BOLT CAME LOOSE FRM DRIVETRAIN, CAUSING BOUCEY EFFECT PRIOR TO BRAKE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #716112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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?
NHTSA complaint #714043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #849633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
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.
NHTSA complaint #849633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE VEHICLE SLIDES TO ONE SIDE AT 65 MPH. DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. YH
NHTSA complaint #606118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
KEY INTERLOCK AND SOLENOID SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #609528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INCORRECT MANUFACTURER PART INSTALLED IN TRANSMISSION. MJS
NHTSA complaint #606960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
KEY INTERLOCK SOLENOID FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION, RECALL NOTICE SENT AFTER ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #535556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
RECALL WORK CAN NOT BE DONE ON THE KEY INTERLOCK (TRANSMISSION) DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #530556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MR. SALO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY QUITS PULLING WHEN THE GEAR SHOULD BE SHIFTED FROM THE SECOND GEAR TO THE THIRD.
NHTSA complaint #828742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY PULLS WHEN THE GEAR SHOULD BE SHIFTED FROM THE 2ND GEAR TO THE 3RD GEAR, CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN ENTERING BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #780646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.