Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 1997 Toyota Camry experienced a sudden acceleration problem. I am convinced it was not the pedal becoming stuck. I felt the pedal depress from my foot and the car began to rapidly accelerate. I hit the brakes, but could not stop the car from accelerating so I shifted it to neutral at which point the engine blew. Smoke began pouring out of the hood but the brakes were able to stop the car at this point so I pulled over and got out of the car. The charlottesville/albemarle fire department was called but when they arrived the fire had gone out. The police department also arrived on scene, but apparently they did not file a report because there were no injuries and there was no accident. As I was waiting for a tow truck a drunk driver crashed about 50 feet from my car, but that's a different matter altogether.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. On three separate occasions the accelerator pedal became stuck; subsequently causing unintended acceleration. The first time the vehicle was damaged while reversing out of the drive-way. On the third incident she swiped a fence. The vehicle received $1,600.00 worth of damages. The dealer was notified, and she was advised that they were not aware of the failure. The current mileage was approximately 55,125. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. Updated 03/01/10 the consumer was informed her vehicle was not included in the recall. Updated 07/09/10.
Backing down access road to parking lot, boat ramp and recreation area. Had foot on the brake when sudden acceleration endangered car and driver. Directed car into the side of a parked truck to avoid crashing into area where people were working, and also to avoid going into river which was very close by. Back end of car struck side of truck then car bounced off careened toward river with accelerator still jammed. Pressed foot down hard on brake and pulled up e brake until car finally stalled.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. While driving 40 MPH the contact tried to slow the vehicle down by applying the brakes. The vehicle would not slow down, which caused a crash into another vehicle. The vehicle was totaled and the contact was injured by the air bag. The contact feels the accelerator pedal was sticking and that cause the crash. The contact did not called the manufacturer regarding this issue. The failure mileage was 93,000. The VIN 3 was unavailable.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact stated that when he depressed the brake pedal to slow down, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, spun around twice and crashed into a guard rail. The contact suffered neck injuries and a police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact had not called the manufacturer when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking spot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated in reverse crashing into the vehicle behind it. No one was injured crash. The manufacturer had not been notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
While sitting in the passenger seat of a moving 1996 or 1997 Toyota Camry the driver turned to me and asked how I liked his mom's new car. I said I liked it. At that moment the vehicle began accelerating eastward on rt. 105 in hope, maine. Thinking my friend (the operator of the vehicle) was in control I failed to pull the e-brake situated to my left. The driver then looked at me in fear as the car continued accelerating. Driver then jammed on the brakes, the vehicle swerved to the right and exited the paved road traveling extremely fast (about 150 MPH's). Immediately before slamming head-on into the trees lining me rt. 105 the vehicle launched into the air flipping end over end 2 full rotations before halting on it's base . Driver's mom's 1996, or 1997 Toyota Camry was completely totaled during this accident. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 30 MPH on normal road conditions pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal and the pedal began to stick. The driver exerted an aggressive force before the accelerator pedal was released. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. Whenever the contact would drive the vehicle at 45mph he noticed that the vehicle would continue drive and maintain its speed even after the contact would release his foot from the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be serviced. The contact has noticed the failure since the day he purchased the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 32,000.
With my right foot on the brake pedal, prepared to come to a complete stop when parking in the carport stall there was instead a sudden acceleration and the car "jumped" over the concrete curb on the floor and broke through the carport wall. Another problem occurred some years earlier when the gas pedal got stuck while driving on the freeway. Frightening as it was I managed to reach down and manually release the pedal.
Acceleration complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1997 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1997 Toyota Camry, 5% of the model year's 555 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Toyota Camry acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1997 Toyota Camry, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Toyota Camry acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 2 fires and 7 injuries and 1 death to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.