1990 Toyota Camry

Routine

Owners filed 134 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the latches/locks/linkages › doors › latch. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch17
001
Structure › Body › Door13
010
Seat Belts13
102
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal8
000
Vehicle Speed Control7
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly7
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine6
000
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments4
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline4
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler16V396000
Filed Jun 2, 20167,749 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc

Defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch92V135000
Filed Sep 22, 1992554,910 vehiclesToyota Motor Co., Ltd.

Defect. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM CAN FAIL, CAUSING THE CONTACTS TO "WELD", AND RESULTING IN DOOR LOCK SOLENOID DAMAGE, WITH FAILURE OF THE DOOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, EVEN UNDER MANUAL OPERATION.

Risk. IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.

Remedy. INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seat BeltsCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 6, 2015PA

MY HUSBAND WAS A PASSENGER IN THIS CAR WHEN A DUMP TRUCK SMASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, THE IMPACT CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN WHICH UNLOCKED THE SEAT BELT WHICH ALLOWED MY HUSBAND TO BE EJECTED FROM THE CAR. HE SUFFERED BROKEN BACK, CRUSHED TIBIA, BROKEN RIBS....ALL BECAUSE THE DOOR OPENED AND THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS UNLOCKED WHEN DOOR OPENED. SEATS WHERE SUPPOSED TO KEEP YOU IN THE CAR AND NOT EJECTED FROM THE CAR. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 29, 201454,310 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BENT LOCK MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,310.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 18, 2010WA

1990 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILURE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS COMPLETELY FAILED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS MANUALLY OR WITH THE KEY. THIS OCCURRED DURING FREEZING TEMPERATURES, SO AT FIRST SHE THOUGHT THE LOCKS WERE FROZEN. SHE USED DE-ICER TO NO AVAIL. FORTUNATELY, HER SON WAS ABLE TO PERFORM A MANEUVER TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET IN THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK/OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND INSERT THE KEY IN THE LOCK, TURN IT SLIGHTLY AND THEN PULL ON THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. THEN ON THE WAY HOME, THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED AND SHE HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR HANDLE WHILE DRIVING WITH ONE HAND. THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR OVER A HALF OF MILLION CAMRY'S FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HER LOCAL DEALER AND SHE WAS INFORMED, HER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 28, 2010MI

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WHILE DRIVING, MY DAD'S CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE SAID THAT HE HAD TO DRIVE WITH BOTH FEET ON THE ACCELERATOR. LATER, HE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING OCCUR AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. FINALLY, MY BROTHER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD A HEATED DISCUSSION WITH THE DEALERSHIP. MY DAD WENT TO PICK THE CAR UP, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PROVIDE ANY PAPERWORK TO HIM ON WHAT REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS ADAMANT ABOUT NOT DISCLOSING ANY DETAILS. IT WAS ONLY MONTHS LATER WE FOUND OUT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. SADLY, WE DO NOT KNOW IF THEY DISCONNECTED IT OR IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. EITHER WAY, WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE SINCE THEN. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE EXACT DATES, BUT I AM HOPING THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS RECORD OF THIS TRANSACTION. I AM SENDING THIS EMAIL FOR NOTIFICATION PURPOSES IN LIGHT OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON WITH TOYOTA CAMRY. [XXX] *TR

Tires
Filed Feb 24, 2010162,500 milesAZ

TIRE TREAD FAILURE SEPARATED. BOUGHT TIRES USED NOV/DEC 2009. TIRE=GENERAL AMERI G4S I HAVE PICTURES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 15, 2008238,000 milesIL

MY REPORT IS ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL TO CASE #10153732 EXCEPT WE LIVE IN THE MIDWEST NEAR CHICAGO. WE REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES FOR THE REAR AND NOW, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE FRONT LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 16, 2006151,000 milesWI

DEAR SIR, I HAVE A 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY AND THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK DOESN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS SINCE MARCH OF 2005. THE LOCK DOESN'T WORK MANUALLY ALSO I.E. INSERTING A KEY FROM OUTSIDE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR DOESN'T OPEN IT. THIS HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCOMFORT COMING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR AS I NEED TO USE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. I HAVE SEEN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME DEFECT THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FOR THE PAST ONE YEAR WITH MY CAR. WHEN I MENTIONED THE ISSUE TO TOYOTA THEY SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. I WANTED TO COMPLAIN THIS ISSUE AND IF THERE ARE MORE NUMBER OF CASES LIKE MINE THEN MAY BE TOYOTA CAN CONSIDER OUR CASE. WITH BEST REGARDS, -RAJA. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 26, 2006130,450 milesNY

TOYOTA CAMRY - SITUATION WHERE THE REAR BRAKE LINES (COVERED AND CANNOT BE SEEN) HAVE CORRODED THROUGH. MY CAMRY RECENTLY HAD ONE OF THE LINES FAIL (BOTH BRAKE LINES AND 3 FUEL LINES HAVE SEVERE CORROSION UNDER THE SHIELD) AND I'M LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYBODY. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN FOR SUCH AREAS AS MINE (SYRACUSE, NY) WHERE THERE IS SIGNIFICANT SALT USE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THE SHIELD ACTUALLY PROMOTES CORROSION BY RETAINING WINTER SLUSH, MUD AND SALT. TOYOTA SHOWS A COMPLETE OF CONCERN OVER SUCH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT IS NOT COVERED BY EITHER A SERVICE BULLETIN OR BY A RECOMMENDED INSPECTION PER THE MAINTENANCE BOOK. TOYOTA DESIGNED SUCH AN INADEQUATE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM FOR THIS MODEL FOR ANY AREA THAT USES SALT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WITHOUT EVEN A WARNING TO CHECK UNDER THE PLASTIC GUARDS FOR CORROSION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OR INABILITY TO STOP. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 14, 2006168,000 milesOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILS TO UNLOCK. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 92V135000, REGARDING THE DOOR LOCKS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE REAR WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN. UPDATED 05/02/06. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor SystemCrash
Filed Jan 30, 2006GA

WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY OUT OF PARKING THE VEHICLE ACCLERATED AT FULL SPEED AND CRASHED INTO TELEPHONE POLE. THE DRIVER DID NOT CAUSE THIS

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 7, 200582,000 milesIL

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR HINGES CRACKED CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL OFF WHEN OPENING. NO LONGER ABLE TO UTILIZE REAR PASSENGER SEATS BECAUSE OF FEAR OF DOOR SUDDENLY OPENING AND CAUSING INJURY. NOT REPAIRED. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AND PAID FOR BY TOYOTA. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 10, 200550,000 milesCA

THROTTLE INTERMITTANTLY STICKS AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE, THEN LETS LOOSE CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch1 injured
Filed Jun 20, 2005150,000 milesAZ

WAS LOCKED INSIDE 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY, ABOUT 250 DEGREES OR MORE. ALL DOOR HANDLES FAILED. MOONROOF WOULD NOT OPEN. HAD TO KICK OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO ESCAPE. TOYOTA, IF YOU DON'T THINK THESE ARE DEFECTIVE CARS, YOU MUST BE FROM AN ALIEN PLANET. PLEASE, POLICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I SURVIVED A DEATH TRAP...SEEMS LIKE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS THE ONLY ANSWER.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed May 19, 2004NY

MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION, MAKING IT UNABLE TO OPEN IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Apr 13, 2004NY

RIGHT/PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS STUCK IN A LOCKED POSITION. NOT ABLE TO OPEN LOCK MANUALLY EITHER. ALL OTHER DOORS WORKING PROPERLY WITH AUTOMATIC OR MAUAL DOOR LOCK USE. ALL POWER WINDOWS WORK PROPERLY. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL #92V135000 , BUT TOYOTA STATES IT'S NOT MY VEHICLE. THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURING, AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF EVER I WAS TRAPPED AND ME OR MY CHILDREN NEEDED TO GET OUT THAT DOOR.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Mar 8, 2004262,000 milesVA

THE DRIVER SIDE (AUTOMATIC SEATBELT) ON MY 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY WON'T RETRACT. *AK

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Jan 6, 2004WI

WILDE TOYOTA WILL FIX A PROBLEM ON MY MOM'S 1990 TOYOTA CAMERY. WE HAVE 2 DIFFERENT GARAGES SAYING THAT THE REPAIR THAT WILDE TOYATA MADE WADNT DONE. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 2, 2003170,000 milesCT

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION. THE TIRE HAD BEEN REMOVED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. DOT NUMBER #ACJ73JFFF1500. *AK THE DEALER SAID THAT THE STEEL BELT WAS BROKEN AND CAUSED A FLAT AREA. *SCC *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Aug 14, 2003GA

FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT MECHANISM WILL BUCKLE, BUT WON'T RELEASE. ALSO, PLASTIC COVER WHICH PROTECTS THE METAL FELL OF. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 26, 200368,000 milesFL

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL#92V135000 (LATCHES AND LOCKS). DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. * TS THE DRIVER DOOR'S ELECTRIC LOCK OPENED FROM THE LOCK POSITION. RECALLL# 92V135000 *SCC *JB

20 of 134 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202450100Routine
202364220Do not drive
202260110Routine
2021156121Fatalities reported
2020273320Above average
2019394610Above average
2018738840Above average
2017148350Routine
2016183220Routine
2015271131Fatalities reported
2014455341Fatalities reported
2013274211Fatalities reported
2012589260High concern
2011599570High concern
2010602910High concern
20091,29310192Fatalities reported
20089338130High concern
20072,88610644Fatalities reported
2006317542Fatalities reported
20057215106Fatalities reported
20046383115Fatalities reported
20037801105Fatalities reported
200295342012Fatalities reported
20012724113Fatalities reported
20004544283Fatalities reported
19995012422Fatalities reported
19986003310High concern
19975554273Fatalities reported
1996417785Fatalities reported
19953035111Fatalities reported
19942873108Fatalities reported
19932602102Fatalities reported
19925652190Above average
19911491101Fatalities reported
1990 — this page134230Routine

Compare every Camry year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 2, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.