1997 Toyota Camry Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 108about this part
- Share
- 19%of 555 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 108 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Toyota Camry, 19% of the 555 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is a significant amount of play and body roll with respect to the steering components/steering wheel of the vehicle. This has existed from date of purchase. Additionally, the braking system is not as responsive as that which I have experienced in all other vehicles. The depth which the brake pedal must be depressed is much deeper and requires a greater amount of pressure, than that of any other vehicle I have driven. Finally, the headlights provide poor visibility both in the amount of light emitted and in their low mounting or angle which they sit at. …”
NHTSA complaint #10152645, filed 2006-03, 37,177 miles“Steering wheel and handle bar are loose. The electrical system including the ignition are not working properly. The service brakes and the hydraulic parts seems to wobble while driving . The exterior lighting headlights are so dimmed it is hard to see while driving at night. The vehicle is parked in front of my house.”
NHTSA complaint #11340044, filed 2020-07, 1,223 miles“Summary vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan,minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. A condition can occur where accumulated moisture can temporarily freeze in the brake vacuum hose if the vehicle is used in extremely cold climates for an extended period of time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11013834, filed 2017-08, 289,859 miles“The vehicles' front brake rotor continuously whop, and when brakes are applied the front end of the vehicle vibrates. The dealership has turned the rotor 6 times, but problem continues. Please provide more details. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10001563, filed 2002-12, 20,000 miles“Failed to stop on highway at 65 MPH. The road was icy but the vehicle's ABS was not working and the vehicle did not decelerate at all. I steering the vehicle to the ditch. I was lucky of not hitting other vehicles and I was safe. There is a problem with Toyota Camry's braking, it did not feel right!”
NHTSA complaint #10215767, filed 2008-01Related recalls
- 97V156000Sep 17, 1997Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine…Covers: Toyota Camry 1997, Lexus ES300 1997, Toyota Avalon 1997
Related service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10131928Feb 5, 2014A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs…
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
- 10061620Sep 9, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 6 | 9% |
| 2022 | 7 | 11% |
| 2021 | 16 | 10% |
| 2020 | 12 | 4% |
| 2019 | 42 | 11% |
| 2018 | 165 | 22% |
| 2017 | 21 | 14% |
| 2016 | 19 | 10% |
| 2015 | 39 | 14% |
| 2014 | 38 | 8% |
| 2013 | 20 | 7% |
| 2012 | 55 | 9% |
| 2011 | 49 | 8% |
| 2010 | 53 | 9% |
| 2009 | 107 | 8% |
| 2008 | 83 | 9% |
| 2007 | 316 | 11% |
| 2006 | 39 | 12% |
| 2005 | 95 | 13% |
| 2004 | 74 | 12% |
| 2003 | 118 | 15% |
| 2002 | 173 | 18% |
| 2001 | 27 | 10% |
| 2000 | 62 | 14% |
| 1999 | 85 | 17% |
| 1998 | 121 | 20% |
| 1997 | 108 | 19% |
| 1996 | 54 | 13% |
| 1995 | 57 | 19% |
| 1994 | 42 | 15% |
| 1993 | 30 | 12% |
| 1992 | 18 | 3% |
| 1991 | 16 | 11% |
| 1990 | 6 | 4% |
| 1989 | 7 | 6% |
| 1988 | 5 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1986 | 3 | 9% |
| 1985 | 3 | 23% |
| 1984 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Camry
96 complaintsSuspension
70 complaintsAir bags
55 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