1997 Toyota Camry Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 10%of 555 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Toyota Camry, 10% of the 555 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 44 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was involved in a 5 car pile up on interstate 94, hit vehicle in front of me going at 45-50 MPH, and airbag did not deploy. According to Toyota, this is acceptable due to the particular type of frontal accident I had. If hitting a car at 45-50 MPH dead on is not a good enough reason for the airbag deploying then what is? Due to the airbag not deploying, I suffered a severe brain contusion with bleeding in the brain and loss time off of work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070036, filed 2004-01, 84,000 miles“I was driving straight on route 93 south in massachusetts behind a sedan. There driving conditions were not good; it was raining heavily. There was a truck in front of the sedan and it had just passed its exit. The truck then went in reverse to go back to the exit. The sedan was unable to stop in time and rear ended the truck. By the time I had realized what was happening it was impossible for me to stop. I slid on the wet road straight into the back of the sedan. I would assume that because I crashed into a car going over 40 MPH, straight on, that my airbags would deploy but they did not. …”
NHTSA complaint #10220497, filed 2008-03, 147,500 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670012, filed 2015-01, 100,000 miles“Owner was driving on the freeway at approximately 60 MPH and while trying to avoid hitting a vehicle, owner rear ended another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. Provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #10113078, filed 2005-02, 123,000 miles“The contact owned a 1997 Toyota Camry. While driving 45 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck on the front driver side by another vehicle. The front driver side tire deflated and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 255,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10621817, filed 2014-08, 255,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 12% |
| 2023 | 5 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 17% |
| 2021 | 78 | 49% |
| 2020 | 49 | 18% |
| 2019 | 24 | 6% |
| 2018 | 22 | 3% |
| 2017 | 24 | 16% |
| 2016 | 31 | 17% |
| 2015 | 21 | 8% |
| 2014 | 42 | 9% |
| 2013 | 36 | 13% |
| 2012 | 75 | 13% |
| 2011 | 72 | 12% |
| 2010 | 49 | 8% |
| 2009 | 66 | 5% |
| 2008 | 46 | 5% |
| 2007 | 138 | 5% |
| 2006 | 59 | 19% |
| 2005 | 65 | 9% |
| 2004 | 79 | 12% |
| 2003 | 73 | 9% |
| 2002 | 89 | 9% |
| 2001 | 38 | 14% |
| 2000 | 58 | 13% |
| 1999 | 74 | 15% |
| 1998 | 50 | 8% |
| 1997 | 55 | 10% |
| 1996 | 47 | 11% |
| 1995 | 41 | 14% |
| 1994 | 43 | 15% |
| 1993 | 45 | 17% |
| 1992 | 33 | 6% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Camry
108 complaintsEngine cooling
96 complaintsSuspension
70 complaintsElectrical system
40 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsSeats
30 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
30 complaintsSeat belts
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota Camry
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology