1987 Toyota Camry Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1987 Toyota Camry, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Seat belts2031.3%
- Fuel system1117.2%
- Engine69.4%
- Electrical69.4%
- Brakes46.3%
- Driver assistance46.3%
- Body & structure34.7%
- Interior & seats23.1%
- Steering23.1%
- Visibility11.6%
- Exterior lighting11.6%
- Powertrain (other)11.6%
- Suspension11.6%
- Tires & wheels11.6%
- Transmission11.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT BACK WHEN DOOR HAS BEEN CLOSED
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 92 V 025 000. *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE AND WHEN PUTTING TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND THEN IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. UPON STARTING UP AGAIN THE VEHICLE BLEW UP, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MELT. A FIRE BROKE OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE, AND SAW A BIG HOLE IN THE TANK, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR KEEPS STALLING OUT. I CAN SMELL GAS MOST OF THE TIME. WE CANNOT LOCATE A LEAK - HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER, DISTRIBUTOR CAP & OXYGEN SENSOR BUT WHEN IT RAINS OR IS HUMID THE CARS STALLS UNTIL IT GETS WARM (AFTER RUNNING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES). THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL EVEN SLIGHTLY. NO ONE CAN LOCATE THE PROBLEM - SOMEONE I WORK WITH HAD ONE THAT DID THE SAME THING UNTIL THEY SOLD IT. YOU CAN PAD THE PEDAL AND SOMETIMES GET PAST THE POINT OF STALLING. *NLM
AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, DRIVER SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND SPOTTED A FIRE NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CLOGGED UP, CAUSING A FIRE TO START.*AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER 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
COLD STARTER SWITCH. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRONT TO REAR OF VEHICLE HAVE RUSTED THROUGH; CONSUMER HAVE REPLACED BRAKE LINE, AND HAD OLD LINE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. HAD NOTICED A LOT OF BRAKE FLUID ON RIGHT HAND SIDE. HAD TAKEN PICTURES OF THE DUCT TAPE USED FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL BEFORE HUSBAND REPAIRED THE BRAKES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 TOYOTA CAMRY. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY BUILDING. SHE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, INCLUDING A BROKEN RIGHT LEG, RIGHT SHOULDER AND STERNUM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/07/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10*JB
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: CONTACT STATES THAT THE RUST ON THE VEHICLE IS CAUSING GAS FUMES TO COME INTO THE CAB OF VEHICLE. THE RUST IS IN THE REAR WHEEL WELLS. HE BELIEVES THE RUST WEAKENS THE STRUCTURE. DEALER WOULD OFFER NO HELP AT THEIR EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER OFFERED THE CONTACT $500.00 OFF OF A NEW VEHICLE. *AK
A LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE OCCURS WHEN DRIVING OVER DIPS OR SPEED BUMPS IN FRONT END. *AK THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE STRUT TOWER SUPPORT MOUNT AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DOORS ARE STUCK LOOCKED AND IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THEM BUT, ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE HOOD LATCH CABLE THAT WAS BROKE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYINGTO GET INTO THE CAR TO FIND OUT WHY THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTED AS WELL. IS THE COMPANY REQUIRED TO FIX THEM AS WELL? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO BE FIXED WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THANK-YOU.
ALL ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DOORS ARE STUCK LOOCKED AND IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THEM BUT, ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE HOOD LATCH CABLE THAT WAS BROKE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYINGTO GET INTO THE CAR TO FIND OUT WHY THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTED AS WELL. IS THE COMPANY REQUIRED TO FIX THEM AS WELL? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO BE FIXED WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THANK-YOU.
COLD STARTER SWITCH. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
COLD STARTER SWITCH. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR SWITCH THAT RETRACTS SAFETY BELT LEAVES THE CONSUMER BELTED IN UNLESS THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPEN, WITH THE DOOR FULLY OPEN THE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
AXLE ON THE FRONT BROKE WHILE DRIVING. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A RATTLE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ACCOMPANIED BY ERRATIC SWAYING OF THE REAR END AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SINCE MAY OF 1996. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN DEC2001. THE REAR TORSION BAR WAS BROKEN AT A BEND AT IT CROSSES NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE. A REPLACEMENT BAR WAS SOUGHT AT AN AUTO JUNK YARD AND IT WAS NOTED THAT ALL 5 OF THE SAME MODEL CARS AT THE YARD HAD THE SAME FAILURE AT THE SAME LOCATION!!!! THIS FALURE CAN CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND SHOULD MAY EASILY BE CONFUSED AS A FAILURE CAUSED BY THE SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT. IN FACT THE FAILURE JUST PRIOR TO ACCIDENT CAN CAUSE THE ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEED AND SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR AFTER ANY REPORTED ACCIDENT WITH THIS CAR. THE FAILURE CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO EASILY LEAVE THE ROAD OR DRIVE ERRATICALLY AND MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO DRIVER ERROR RATHER THAN MECHANICAL FAILURE, WHICH IT APPEARS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE SEPARATED AND FAILED.(TOYO TIRE CORPORATION 185/70R14)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .