Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Bought the car used and the car ran well but now the transmission went out. It would slip from time to time but now is out completely. Which seems to be very mysterious. I was searcjing to see how commo. The problem is or has been. I thought there might. Have been recalls on the transmission but didn't see any...
I was not notified of a recall for a condition that allows the key to be removed with the transmission still in drive. I have experienced several events when I turned off the vehicle, removed the key and it started to roll away due to the transmission being in drive.
Loud knocking heard from front right of vehicle. Toyota service department determined cause to be a bad cv joint. Additionally, during a routine engine oil change, I discovered an unusually large amount of beading sludge that had to be removed by hand to drail and fill the oil. I have read reports of the Toyota engines producing sludge and I would like to know how I go about getting this fixed on their recall if one occurs.
Owner parked vehicle on small incline, shifted to park, removed key, existed vehicle, heard noise, vehicle rolled backwards, hit garage door, emergency brakes not applied, gear level slipped into neutral. After the accident, the gear shifter was found on neutral positon. The roll back had occured twice before.
Shifted to park, r emoved key from ignition, vehicle rolled back wards out of garage, down incline, almost ran into child and dog, rearend of vehicle hit two mail boxes, other objects, key can be removed in any gear, with dealership for inspection.
The vehicle was parked on a level street, came out of the house and the vehicle had rolled forward and hit the back of another parked vehicle. The gear shift lever has slipped into gear several times while the lever was in the park position.
Transmission left in drive, engine turned off and keys removed from ignition. Interlock system failed , causing vehicle to roll backwards in office parking lot, hitting another vehicle, causing extensive damage prior to recall (97v-213).
As my car crested a small hill on 7-15-99, the engine revved to about 4000 RPM and there was no power. It was like the car had shifted into neutral. The "check engine" light came on. I tried shifting to 2nd gear and then back to drive which then worked. This happened again about two blocks later. I took the car to wilkins Toyota the next day. They replaced a speed sensor. The car seemed OK but the same thing happened a few days later. I returned to wilkins Toyota 7-21. They replaced another speed sensor, saying Toyota had a defective lot. The same thing happened again a few weeks later. The "check engine" light came on but later went back off. Wilkins said the fault code would be stored anyway and bring it back. I did. They said there was no fault code and declined to do anything. At this time I contacted Toyota customer service on the internet but never received a reply. …
While driving, the made a loud clanking noise which seemed to be coming from the front. When the consumer stopped and the applied the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The mechanic informed the consumer that the problem could not be duplicated. The driver informed the mechanic that this problem continued to happen over and over and the problem is still there and has not been resolved. Please fill in additional information. The consumers radio went out in the vehicle. The vehicle passenger seat belt sticks. Vehicle trunk light does not work. The driver side adjustable handle does not work. The rubber on the motor mount does not last and breaks. The vehicle jerks repeatedly. The consumer stated that she currently has a permanent back problem due to the adjustable handle not working.
When transmission is in reverse it hesitates and then backs slowly. I took the car in to sterling mccall Toyota in houston texas for all the recommended scheduled maintenance milage intervals. On one of the invoices I have it shows where the transmission should have been flushed when I took it the 60,000 service maintainence. I have paid for several major transmission service visits and the transmission problems on my car still exist. I have tried to work with the dealership ,on behalf of their negliance , inspite of all my service visits, my transmission has worsened. Please help! Investigate and arbitration. If you need further details, you May contact me anytime home or work.
NHTSA investigations
Ignition interlock failure
Transmission complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Toyota Camry, 6% of the model year's 555 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Toyota Camry transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.