IllustrationCONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WITH ENGINE RUNNING WHEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, AND FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD, MOSTLY TO THE LEFT OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
1987 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1987 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 58 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seat Belts. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports6 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
6 reportsCOLD STARTER SWITCH. *YC
WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING THE FAN/HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING TO GO OUT. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO FAIL. .CERTAIN TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DRIVER DO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENS. *AK
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED. *DSH
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOWN SOURCE OF THE FIRE. TT
ELECTRICAL FAILURE, DISTRIBUTOR MIGHT BE CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. TT
Official recalls
392V135000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Sep 22, 1992
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
92V025000 · Seat Belts
Feb 28, 1992
LIQUID SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE AREA CAN PENETRATE TO THE HOUSING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS. LIQUID CONTAMINATION OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE UNIT SIGNAL NEEDED TO ACTIVATE THE MOVEMENT OF THE MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES MAY NOT MOVEPROPERLY, RESULTING IN LACK OF SAFETY BELT PROTECTION FOR SEAT OCCUPANTS OF THEFRONT SEAT, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY BELT SYSTEM.
89V175000 · Seat Belts:front
Oct 18, 1989
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy: REPLACE LAP BELT WITH A REDESIGNED BELT GUIDE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
10EA97008 · Leaking Fuel Tank
Opened Apr 23, 1997 · Closed Apr 22, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK
EA93010 · Under Dash Fires
Opened Apr 26, 1993 · Closed Sep 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
EA92044 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Dec 18, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE92065 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Jul 16, 1992 · Closed Dec 18, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA92013 · Stuck Power Door Locks
Opened May 8, 1992 · Closed May 12, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
DP92001 · Automatic Door Lock Malfunction
Opened Jan 6, 1992 · Closed May 8, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION
EA90028 · Passive Safety Belt Fails
Opened May 29, 1990 · Closed Feb 28, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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PE90027 · Passive Safety Belt Warnin
Opened Dec 15, 1989 · Closed May 29, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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EA89020 · Front Lap Belt Jams
Opened Mar 22, 1989 · Closed Nov 16, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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PE89014 · Frnt Seat Lap Belt Jamming
Opened Nov 18, 1988 · Closed Mar 22, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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