Engine problems of the 1997 Toyota Camry

Connecting rod went through the engine block.

While driving the vehicle threw a rod through the engine and destroyed it. This occurred on August 31, 2005. The consumer had the vehicle towed to a mechanic, who told him that it was the piston rod that came loose. No one was injured. They were not having the vehicle repaired. When the consumer contacted the manufacturer, they told him that they would not cover the damage. 11/02/05.

While driving front end/steering wheel vibrated. Dealership informed consumer that the problem pertained to engine sludge.

1997 Toyota camary heavy blue smoke on cold starts, originaly taken in for oil gel problem was told no gelling found but valve oil seal worn and need replace $1000. 00. Car has 85,000 miles and has been servied by Toyota per thier service manual. Have talked with numerious other Toyota owners with same complaint. Feel this is a problem with the valve seals being sub standard. Please advise if other complaints have been posted.

Engine seized. Problems with oil.

I have a 1997 Toyota Camry with 85,000 miles on it, I have regular maintenance on it keep it in good shape, and the engine just cracked I had got a letter from Toyota that talked about oil gelling but I didn't have the problem then. I took it to phillips Toyota in leesburg FL and they could not tell me why my engine went. I know with regular maintenance my engine would last well over 120,000 miles.

Poor design and build - 1997 Toyota Camry le (4 cylinder). I own a 1997 4-cylinder Camry le. It is well maintained and has less than 80,000 miles. A few months ago, its starter went bad and was replaced. This morning, the dealer found that its engine valve seals worn out and must be replaced (over $1000 repair). I checked the internet car forums and found that this is a common problem with 1997 model year 4-cylinder Toyota Camry. I believe that it is a poor design and build problem. Customers should not be paying a problem caused by the manufacturer's poor design and build. All 1997 4-cylinder Camry should be recalled and repaired by Toyota.

Valve oil seal failure due to oil sludging or jelling smokes while starting.

Consumer states the engine seized w/o warning. Vehicle checked by dlr who diagnosed that the piston was cracked. Nlm.

Engine exploded - hole in block alots of smoke no fire- have replaced car - asked Toyota to research unusual event at their cost - they refuse - going to scrap car but worried about other drivers - I want nothing from Toyota.

Engine sludge and puff of black smoke when car is started.

Toyota acknowledges to have issued only a "service bulletin" to its dealers on this issue. It does acknowledge a high number of incidents of failed struts and mounts on 1997, 1998 and1999 Camrys.

Dealer acknowledges high number of strut and mount failures on 1997, 1998 and 1999 Camrys. Probably design defect.

Oil pan failed. Mjs.

Defective engine mounts.

Motor requires rebuilding due to oil sludge, oil has been changed in excess of warranty requirements, but factory will not honor warranty.