1997 Toyota Camry Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Steering wheel/handle bar
  11
• Column
  2
• Rack and pinion
  2
• Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
  2
• Column locking › Anti-theft device
  1
• Linkages › Tie rod assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  17%
• 25k–50k
  17%
• 50k–75k
  429%
• 75k–100k
  429%
• 100k–150k
  214%
• 150k+
  214%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The steering wheel is set off center to the right of the driver. Yes it is available upon request. Causes extreme back pains. Has not been inspected by police or insurance reps. Has not been inspected yet. No warning lights or messages in car dash for this. Since I had the car noticed this.

Tl contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry which was purchased in September 1997. While driving at speeds of less than 30 MPH in wet and icy conditions, the steering wheel completely came off of the steering column into her hands. The vehicle swerved all over the road and barely missed crashing into a residence. The contact had no control over the vehicle and proceeded to crash into a snow bank. She was able to travel home safely without incident and replaced the steering wheel loosely back onto the column. The dealer was contacted and stated that NHTSA campaign id number 99V307000, steering wheel and handle bar recall was performed on the vehicle and they would not have any further liability for the failure. She had no knowledge of the prior recall repairs performed on the vehicle. …

Tl contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. While attempting to make a right turn at 25 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly locked in place. The contact crashed into a tree, but was unharmed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact did not notice any differences prior to the failure. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the power steering and the brakes suddenly malfunctioned causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.

I was driving on an off ramp of interstate I 94 and completely lost control of the car spun to the left hit the barrier continued spinning and hit the barrier on the right. The car was totaled. The weather was overcast. There had been rain. The road was not slick.

I was driving my 97 Camry I went to make a turn and the entire steer wheel spinned around like a spinning top. I had no control the car ran up on the curve. I called the dealership and was told that my vehicle did qualify under this recall but records indicate that they had tighten the steering wheel. I explain that I have no records of any repairs to the vehicle for recall. I then called the corp office for Toyota and was told that my vehicle did vehicle was not part of the recall and they have no info on the dealership making any repairs for this recall. I explained that I was told by the dealership that my vehicle was under the recall and that I was trying to see why they would have differing information. I could have been in a very bad accident Toyota clearly has a recall my vehicle fits the criteria it a 1997 and I don't understand why the would not take care of this issue.

Car : 97 Toyota Camry le 4 cylinder three major problems 1) blue smoke at cold-starting (mileage: 87 miles -aug. 2001) engine gave off blue smoke from the exhaust when cold-starting in the morning. After replacing valve stem seals (paid around $1000 to a Toyota dealer for the repair), the problem was solved. 2) power steering rack & pinion leaking (mileage: 87kmiles -aug. 2001) power steering rack & pinion leaked and a mechanic replaced it with a new one. 3) EGR vsv failure (mileage: 100 kmiles -oct. 2004) check engine light came on. OBD ii scanner says "insufficient EGR flow." a mechanic replaced EGR vsv and the problem was solved. 4) front strut mounts failure ((mileage: 87 kmiles -aug. 2001) both front strut mounts made noise. After a Toyota dealer replaced it, the problem was solved.

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. Thank you for your time and efforts on my behalf. Best regards.

Key will not turn to start car. Steering wheel lock goes in and out. Eventually (5-20 minutes) do something that works (don't know what) and car will start. When it happened once, I figured it was an anomaly. But it has not happened five times and I am now in constant worry about it happening again. Updated 9/21/15 ...updated 10/01/15 the consumer stated using a different ignition key seemed to have alleviated the problem. Updated 10/13/15

Tl contact owns a 1997 Toyota Camry. While driving 32 MPH, the steering wheel locked, the brakes failed, and all the instrument panel lights illuminated. There was no warning prior to the failures. The vehicle lost complete power. The contact turned off the engine for approximately 30 seconds and the vehicle was able to be restarted. The failure has occurred three times. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 74,000.

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other Camry years