Comments: 1-15, 16-27
The engine threw a rod and had to be entirely replaced after only 48,000 miles.
At the same time the dealer replaced the engine, the dashboard died. The dashboard was replaced twice before a wiring problem was found in the firewall.
At 60,000 miles the front struts had to be replaced on both sides, along with the front brakes.
I purchased this vehicle believing it was one of the most reliable sedans on the market---that belief has disappeared.
The dealer service has been horrible. The service department has failed to earn any confidence.
The wear and tear on the vehicle does not match the usage. I've never heard of a vehicle needing an engine, or struts replaced after only 60,000 miles.
I agree with this post 100%. I have a 1996 Camry up here in Toronto, Canada. I only have about 59,500 km (that's only about 27,000 miles) and just got the bad news today that I have to replace the front struts. Total bill is $720. I bought this Camry brand new and hardly drove it. My previous car was a used $4500 Ford Tempo. The struts on the Ford lasted until the car hit 240,000 km (110,000 miles).
Toyota Camry LE-very, very, very, very reliable. I don't even have enough room here to write about every American that I have been in or have know to constantly have problems that are not "standard". Where are you people taking your cars to get serviced? Are you taking them to authorized Triple AAA certified Toyota dealerships or are you all taking the cheap way out because that is what will get you in trouble-mechanics from no name car shops who "say" they have a Toyota part, but do they really? Anyway, I have a 1997 Toyota Camry LE and I love it-great car, never had any problems! Very, very reliable!!!
I have owned my 1997 Toyota Camry for over three months and have put over 7000 miles on it. The only real problem that I have encountered is the front strut supports wearing out and the dealer took care of that under the warranty. This car has been all over California and Oregon and starts and drives just as if it were new. My Aunt has a 1995 Camry and it has been driven into the ground (ie. put into reverse while at freeway speeds, corners on 2 wheels, hard acceleration off the line every time) and it has over 130,000 miles on it and it is still running and is a reliable commuter vehicle now! I can't believe it, but the car still works. Two thumbs up for Toyota!
I have to agree, there is something wrong if you have to replace the motor at low mileage especially a Toyota! Make sure you are getting s good quality oil and filter, some garages use low quality cheap oil and that is one of the worse things you can do for your car no matter how much you change it...and the front strut problem, if it's a '97 and you are putting new struts on it in 2003 and that is all then I think you are doing well! I would never compare Toyota to a Ford come on!
I own a 1997 Camry, I just found out I need front and back struts, that will put me back at about $900. I only have 46,000 miles and don't drive in dirt roads.
My 1997 Camry LE has almost 100k miles and not one drop of oil or transmission fluid anywhere. I change the oil every 2k miles and the transmission fluid every 10k. The oil all has to meet the same minimum requirements, so it does not matter if it is cheaper or not. The filter must be changed each time however. Change it hot and often and you will get 200 k out of these engines no problem.
The shock mounts go bad on these cars and the suspension is not as good as the 6 cylinder models. My front drivers side mount went out around 55k and just made a rattling noise. I will replace the shocks with the 6-cylinder model when I have more time.
Plastic pieces broken off here and there. This is typical for a Japanese car. Drivers lock is going out and the trunk lock can only be opened now with the latch inside.
The car is dead reliable. I drive it everywhere. Nothing but regular maintenance. I do not mind about the plastic and the locks, these do not leave me stranded, and can be fixed on your own with some patience. The suspension is inferior, but can be corrected.
I'm sorry to hear about your experiences. I have never ever heard of a Toyota throwing a rod at such a low mileage. There must have been an outside reason for this. (IE incorrect oil level etc). Dealers are synonymous with lying as well.
I just had the front struts replaced on my 1997 Toyota Camry LE, which has 90,000 miles. I bought the car new and have babied it, expecting it to last for years based on all the favorable comments other Toyota owners have conveyed to me. However, today the engine threw a rod and the engine must now be replaced. I am very disappointed.
I own a 97 Camry (4cyl) The only parts I have put into it besides the normal oil/filter every 3000 miles is the front brakes need replacing more than normal (every 15-20 thousand miles).
The alternator, plugs/plug wires, A/C, and struts are all original.
Btw...it has 125,000 miles on it.
Ballard.
I bought a 1997 Camry LE and have had it for 2 years now. I bought it used from my brother at 80,000 miles.
With the exception of the inferior suspension mounts, my car has had no problems at all. The mounts do not worry me, all it does is rattle when you go over a big bump. This doesn't interfere with the performance of the handling, etc. Even with the rattle, this is one of the quietest cars I have ever had. I can hear myself whisper while driving on the highway.
It just passed the 150,000 mark this week. I drive 300+ miles every week during college and it is more dependable than any car I have ever had.
I forgot to add one more problem - the battery connections show corrosion very quickly after cleaning, or replacing. But since I check and clean them every few months, it isn't a problem.
I too was surprised to have so many problems with a car that was considered reliable. At 45,000 miles my shock mounts started creaking when I drove over rough road. My trunk lock started giving me problems around 50,000 miles and I now must resort to using the inside latch to get it open. My gas latch is now starting to go and I have had to pry open the swing door to get to the gas cap on several occasions. Today my car has 80,000 miles on it and the front struts and alternator need to be replaced as soon as possible. What is really aggravating is that all of this has occurred despite faithful oil changes and check-ups with the dealer.
I purchased my '97 Camry LE 4 cyl. about 18 months ago with 67,000 miles on it. It now has more than 92,000 miles. Other than having the timing belt replaced at about 80,000 miles and regular oil/filter changes every 4000 miles I haven't had to do anything else. The noisy shock mounts are "typical" on the 97 Camry. While it is an annoyance, I would take that over the typical American made piece of junk that you only dream of getting 100,000 miles from without shelling out $5,000 worth of repairs during that time. As with every single purchase one can make there will always be the risk of getting a lemon. But I'll take my chance with getting the 1-in-a-thousand Toyota lemon rather than the 1-in-a-hundred chance with a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge.
I have been mostly satisfied with my '97 6-cylinder CE, which is now at 130K km. The only big problem has been the suspension. It started knocking at about 90 000 km. The dealership tried to fix it, but failed. Though the car was still under warranty, nothing further was done to help me. The dealership claimed that mine was the only one they'd ever heard of having such a problem. I find that hard to believe, given the comments from others here.
Too bad, really, because the car is so fine otherwise. The engine is so quiet that the suspension noise seems even louder.
Gary
I owned a Toyota Camry 97 LE. I just bought it for 2-3 months now when there was 73,000 miles on it. Now it has 76,xxx. One day my Check Engine signal came on, I brought it to the dealer. They told me I had to replace/change timing belts, rotors, and bunch of other tune up. However, the worse thing is that I was told to replace the front Catalytic Converter and maybe the back as well. That itself will cost me at least $1600 as estimated. I was told that Cat Converter may be under warranty, so I am still waiting on that. If anybody know more about this, please post or email me stallionmvp@yahoo.com. Thanks!
I now have 250,000 km on my '97LE (4cyl.). The engine was replaced under warranty at 80,000kms as the balance shaft inexplicably ground itself into metal shavings. The head was also replaced under warranty at 70,000 km due to antifreeze leaking. Other than this trauma, the car has been very reliable.
The struts are a bit noisy, especially in bitter cold, but I have not had to replace them.
My 1997 Toyota Camry backup lights will not come on, but the brake lights do. I check the fuse and the bulbs, and everything is OK. What is the problem? Help!