5th Jul 2004, 07:08

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.

22nd Jul 2004, 18:09

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!

6th Aug 2004, 09:55

My 1997 V6 Toyota Camry Le has meant the world to me. Day after day, I get in my car and it cranks right up, no problem. I have to admit though that I baby it. I put a coat of wax on it every week, change the oil with Max life every 3000, and use no other than genuine Toyota oil filters. No exceptions, every tank I use Shell V-power premium fuel. I have 87,000K miles on it and have changed all the belts, plugs, and wires just as precaution. I am on my second set of tires and I plan on owning the car for a long long time. It's my baby. Great job Toyota. Money well spent.

19th Aug 2004, 21:06

I purchased a used 1996 Camry 4 cylinder in 1998 off a dealer in Richmond Hill, Ont. with 75000k on the clock. Today it has 254000k and runs like a charm.

It still has the original battery.

Starts in all weather conditions fist time, every time.

Change oil and filter every 6000k and replaced the spark plugs at 160000k. also changed 2 timing belts and replaced the front rotors and pads. Hoping to change the rear drums this fall.

I hope to get 500000k out of this car.

21st Oct 2004, 17:52

21st OCt 2004, 5:25.

We recently purchased our 1997 Camry LE about 13 months ago. It had 89,000 miles. We have changed the oil every three thousand miles and made sure everything is in working condition. We love Toyotas. We own a 1993 Corolla DX and a 1995 truck. The car has been an excellent vehicle until last week, when my husband was driving it and heard a clanking noise that came from the engine, which stopped the car. We received the bad news from our mechanic that the engine needs to be replaced. Help! What does a person do when they still owe on the vehicle, and need to put another chunk of money on a car that's not worth that amount?

Please contact us with any suggestions at Denorganizer@msn.com Thanks.

18th Dec 2004, 11:09

1997 Toyota Camry LE.

We had just hit 90k miles on our camry which had been maintained religiously at Toyota Dealerships in California. We were cut off on the freeway resulting in pretty hard breaking, followed by about 3 seconds of a clunking noise. we coasted to the shoulder, noticing that rpms were at zero. I got out to check for flat tires, and found everything to be fine... got it towed and found that the engine is seized. no explanation. we don't have the oil sludge problem that I know of, because the oil has been changed at no more than 3500 miles. if you can't count on a camry running more than 90 thousand miles, what can you count on?!

15th Oct 2007, 11:33

Between the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, I choose the Accord. I have owned both and although the accord isn't as smooth a ride as the Camry, it was by far and away the most reliable across the board. I had a 97 Accord with over 193k miles that gave me absolutely no problems. The only things I had done were the brakes and timing belt. No leaks and didn't burn a drop of oil. I have a 97 Camry with 125k miles that has suspension problems and needed the engine rebuilt at 105k. I bought the Camry used so I'm not sure how diligent the previous owner was with the regular maintenance, but I was with my Accord.

28th Jan 2008, 14:45

I own and love my 1993 Toyota Camry LE. Five months ago smoke [or steam] from the tailpipe indicated that oil and water were mixing in one or more of the cylinders. The car was taken to a very fine AAA approved local Toyota dealer with an outstanding service department. The heads were removed and sent out to a private shop to be re-leveled. Carbon deposits were removed from the pistons. When the engine was reassembled and completed, the car resumed its momentarily interrupted perfect performance. Not a trace of smoke or steam from the tail-pipe remained.

Last week, a mere three months after this just described major servicing, which cost close to $3,000.00, I was driving one mile home from the post office and suddenly, the engine threw a rod! Oil levels are all topped off at normal and the vehicle was being driven at a low speed, as I was in a residential neighborhood.

Upon reporting this dilemma to the Service Department manager where the major work was performed three months ago, I was informed that the car is now totaled. When picking the car up after the major work had been performed three months ago, I was told that the parts and labor were under warranty, and that I now had a good 200,000 more miles to go before I should expect any other major or significantly additional [other than the normal routine] servicing, as what had been done was the equivalent of placing a new engine in the car.

I'm at a loss as to what I should do? Living on monthly SSI disability income severely curtails what options remain open to me, if any?

Apart from this, I love the car. I have only the highest regard for the local Toyota agency that, in the past, has been so efficient and professional in helping me with other, ancillary matters pertaining to my car. My only wish is that the Service Manager's parting words to me in regard to my car's foreseeable performance had only proven to be true.

9th Oct 2008, 19:32

I just bought my 1997 LE. 16500 miles, it rides like a dream.

Yes, the strut problem is obvious, but it doesn't bother me. I've done all the regular maintenance on it and I'll drive it as long as I can.

7th Dec 2008, 20:55

I own a 1997 Toyota Camry V6 3Lt done 154000 kms. The economy is quite surprising for such a large car average of 11 Lts per 100 kms on an average of town and country running. Being heavier in the front a nicer ride. Lubing the front strut bearings makes a huge difference to the steering also. Extremely important to follow the Toyota Service schedule and changing oils at 15000 kms is OK. Physically cleaning throttle body with tooth brush and injector cleaner from time to time works a treat. Dyson.