Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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.
In 2001, when opening driver's door from outside with the door unlocked the flat part of the handle that is flush with the outer body of the door broke off from the remainder of the handle fixed into the door leaving a sharp piece of plastic on either side of the handle area that must be pried up to open the door. In the same week, the rear driver's side door did the same thing. I was told by the dealer/service department that "these plastics just don't hold up well in this sun." I was also told it would cost $150 to repair them [as of January 2003 it would now cost $200 to repair them] and that since the car was in its fourth year, the warranty was no longer in effect. I and my wife have both been cut several times trying to get into the vehicle. Toyota's response is still "the warranty was only for 36 months."
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the hood detached and flew off the vehicle while driving 45 MPH. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was caused by the hinges failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.
During cold weather the piston that releases the gas hatch door froze to the housing. When the driver attempted to release the gas door from inside the vehicle, the piston broke in half. Since the piston was frozen in place, the gas door would not open. Owners manual did not reference how to defeat the mechanism and driver could not fill with gas.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side sun visors were fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Vehicle hydroplaned @ apporx. 65-70 MPH hitting a concrete bridge which turned the vehicle 180 degrees and the front hit the other side of the bridge and the vehicle continued spinning. Niether airbag deployed.
My tail lights went out and I had them replaced. Less than six moths later they went out again. One of my electric locks no longer works. The door didn't work at all. The dealer fixed it, and then the lock assembly went bad a month later. My license plate light no longer works, it s not the bulb. The shifter light went out at the same time the license plate light went out. My alarm system will not beep to confirm its operating. I was charged to have it reset and it went bad less than six months later. Numerous electrical problems.
Safety hazard question: due to car aerodynamics, doors, especailly front driver/passenger doors curve inward to a sharp point at top edge. Poses hazard to passengers shutting the doors, especially those of shorter stature because it is at face/head level. Have had passengers closing door catch that point-edge, one required several stitches to temple after "catching the edge." have there been any other complaints of this kind? Thank you for your assistance. Mary taylor
Company agrees that headliner is loose will not repair or give estimate becase not covered by current TSB and not covered by warranty. TSB is out currently for some Camry's with this problem. Service manager states this is a service adjustment and not a defect. I feel that this is a design defect in the vehicle and causes a loss in value.
The driver side door will be unlocked itself when there is a small exptern force act to door from inside the car. In addition, the dash board also indicate the door is unlock and the dome light is onl. Further more, it happends sometimes when I was driving on the freeway whcih is not complanate.
Body complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1997 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the body & structure of the 1997 Toyota Camry, 5% of the model year's 555 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Toyota Camry body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 136,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to body & structure 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.