Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
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. Car is currently a local salvage yard awaiting disposition within 2 days. Police report 902361501 on file at avon indiana police department & indicates driver air bag did not open.
Tl* the contact owned a 1997 Toyota Camry. The contact stated the vehicle was involved in a rear end driver side collision. The contact lost control of the vehicle and was also involved in both a side impact and front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. A police report was filed (accident number 2822). There was one injury that required medical attention. The contact suffered from a broken jaw and nerve damage that required approximately 23 surgeries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
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. Since my airbags did not deploy, my neck was thrown forward and although it did not break it has caused severe discomfort. Everyone who saw my car after the incident were amazed that the airbags did not deploy.
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. Earlier engine problem: oil sludge in engine, once repairs were done 6 months later engine mounts had to be replace front motor mount and dog bone, injectors and gaskets, why?, this was all replaced on the first engineering defect Toyota created and why should I pay a portion of their oil sludge engineering defects.
Tl* 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.
Consumer was driving at approx 65 MPH, was cut off by another vehicle, steered to the right, ended up hitting a call box head-on. Air bag did not deploy. Seat belt was worn at time of accident, but received whiplash. Toyota investigator claims was not suppose to deploy because it was hit in an angular postion. Claims adjustor/body shop technicians and 3 different Toyota dealerships agreed air bag should have deployed.this defect caused bodily harm.
Consumer experienced two accidents. 1st. Accident occurred when vehicle was hit on the side. 2nd accident involved a head-on collision. On both occasions air bags did not deploy. Dealer notified of the the 1st accident. Dealer informed consumer that the air bags did not deploy because the vehicle was hit on the side. On the second accident dealer was not notified at the time. 831843 dup of 831726; posted on 09-07-1999.
Air bag deployed in a head on accident where the vehicle was going 5mph and was it hit head on by a 90 Ford taurus stationwagon going 35mph. Speed limit on residential road was 30mph. Passenger spent 5 days in parkland trauma center due to passenger side airbag deployment . Passenger was 5'4" white female weight 115lbs was sitting in furthest postion away from airbag and was wearing seat belt.
While driving vehicle on the road about 40-45 MPH with about 4 vehicles in front of the comsumer when he saw the vehicles stop, and comsumer tried to stop by stepping on brake pedal, but could not stop it on time and smashed front of vehicle or rearended. Air bags did not deploy during the accident. The shop said it was nothing wrong with the system.
Consumer was involed in a 40 MPH frontal collision in which the vehicle was airborne, and also hitting a tree in which the drivers or passengers air bags did not deploy, causing the occupant to be severely injured. Consumer states the steering mechanism was uncontollable prior to vehicle hitting a 6ft fence.
Airbag complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Toyota Camry, 10% of the model year's 555 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Toyota Camry airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 44 crashes, 0 fires and 34 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.