Toyota Recalls 287,000 Camrys

TORRANCE, CA December 3 (Autopedia) - Toyota Motor Corporation today announced that it would be recalling 287,000 1997 Camry 4-door sedans equipped with automatic transmissions due to a problem related to the ignition lock system.

The recall includes all of the 1997 model year production of Toyota's U.S. built Camry with automatic transmissions, from its Georgetown, KY plant which accounts for nearly 80% of all Camrys sold in the U.S.

The problem stems from reports of problems with the steering wheel mounted ignition locking mechanism that is designed to prevent the ignition key from being removed except when the transmission is in the "PARK" position. A Toyota spokesman said that there had been fewer than 10 reports of minor damage resulting from Camrys that were in either the "DRIVE" or "NEUTRAL" position when the ignition keys were somehow removed.

Owners of the vehicles involved in the recall will be contacted by mail beginning this month and directed to have their local Toyota dealers replace the part, which should take less than 30 minutes.

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