1990 Toyota Camry: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 134 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2015
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2008
“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”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving slowly out of parking the vehicle acclerated at full speed and crashed into telephone pole. The driver did not cause this”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2005
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 2005
“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”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2004
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 2003
“Front and rear seat belt mechanism will buckle, but won't release. Also, plastic cover which protects the metal fell of. Dealer notified.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2003
“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”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2003
“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”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Camry by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Toyota Camry reliable?
NHTSA has 134 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Toyota Camry. The most complained-about area is seat belts (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Toyota Camry problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 150,500 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Toyota Camry have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.