1988 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 1988 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
- Electrical1214.5%
- Seat belts1012.0%
- Engine910.8%
- Interior & seats910.8%
- Transmission78.4%
- Brakes78.4%
- Driver assistance67.2%
- Body & structure67.2%
- Visibility33.6%
- Fuel system33.6%
- Steering33.6%
- Tires & wheels33.6%
- Powertrain (other)22.4%
- Suspension22.4%
- Exterior lighting11.2%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A SPARK NEAR THE VEHICLE'S HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER MOMENTS BEFORE IT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE IGNITED, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED AT BI-CITY TOWING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000. *AK
FLYWHEEL TEETH FOR STARTER IS GETTING CHEWED UP. COSNUMER HAS HAD STARTER AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED TWICE. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED PARTS. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH FRONT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER AND SEAT BELTS DO NOT CATCH OR HOLD OR GET RESTRAINED WHEN PULLED IN A JERKY FASHION. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO CATCH/HOLD WHEN PULLED IN A JERKY FASHION SIMILAR TO A FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, IMPACT LEFT FRONTAL BUMPER AT 10-15 MPH. DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK, THROWING OCCUPANT HIT THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
FLYWHEEL TEETH FOR STARTER IS GETTING CHEWED UP. COSNUMER HAS HAD STARTER AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED TWICE. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED PARTS. *AK
WHENEVER VEHICLE IS AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT & ABOUT TO TAKE OFF, VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT FOR NO REASON. THERE IS NO WARNING. BOTH THE AIR FLOW METER AND THE DISTRIBUTOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *ML
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM REAR WHICH WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS . PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NECESSARY PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED TO CORRECT RECALL 92V135000. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH THE DOOR LATCHES AND LOCKS, ALSO, CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR RECALL SERVICE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE SPEED DROPPED DRAMATICALLY TO 25-30 MPH AND CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SOMEHOW MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE CAR THROUGH THE TRAFFIC. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ON THIS CAR.*AK
I WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING (AND GEAR SHIFT IN PARK) IN DRIVE-THRU AT BANK. I MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT TO 'DRIVE' WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, AND WITH NO WARNING, THE ENGINE MADE A REVVING/RACING SOUND, AND THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AT GREAT SPEED. THE CAR TRAVELED THREE CAR LENGTHS (IF PLACED SIDE-BY-SIDE) AND AS I TURNED LEFT TO SWERVE, THE CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR CAUSING IT TO SPIN AROUND ABOUT 180 DEGREES. I WAS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION AND IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR, I COLLIDED WITH THE CURB AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO REST. THE REVVING/RACING NOISE CONTINUED FOR THE DURATION OF THE INCIDENT, AND EVEN THOUGH I WAS BRAKING, THE CAR NEVER STOPPED UNTIL I HIT THE CURB AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION.
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
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
MACPHERSON STRUTS FAILED 3 TIMES. ALSO, MUFFLER/STARTER/FLYWHEEL AND BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. *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
1988 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. CONSUMER STATES SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DEFECT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. *JB
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHICH RESULTED IN COLLISIONS.ET
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
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (92V135000). HOWEVER, FOR THE PASS FOUR YEARS, THE RIGHT SIDE POWER WINDOW HAS EXPERIENCED FAILUE WHICH COULD BE THE RESULT OF A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *YC
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
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
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
ALL 4 POWER WINDOWS AND POWER SUN ROOF MALFUNCTIONED, WILL NOT OPERATE. NEVER BEEN TO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN WENT AWAY. MOMENTS LATER A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE THEN POWER LOSS. AS VEHICLE BEING MERGED EMERGENCY LANE VEHICLE ERUPTED FLAMES AND BURNED COMPLETELY.
WHENEVER THE TANK IS FILLED UP ALL THE WAY CONSUMER SMELLS GAS. IF IT IS NOT FILLED UP, CANNOT SMELL GAS. TOOK TO DEALER,AND THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A HAIRLINE SPLIT IN TANK. DEALER DID NOT REPAIR. CONSUMER FEELS IF CAR RUNS OVER A CIGARETTE IT MIGHT EXPLODE. *AK
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 POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE 19'88 CAMRY WAS RUBBING AGAINST ITSELF AT THE LOOP MOUNTED ON THE FIREWALL, RESULTING IN WORN HOSE AND LEAK AT THE PRESSURE HOES AND LOSS OF FLUID. NOW THE CAR IS OLD, BUT THE HOSE SHOULD NOT BE RUBBING AGAINST ITSELF.*AK
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH PEP BOYS FUTURA 185/14 RADIAL 775 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) HE HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED BUBBLES FORMED ON THE TREAD. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR TIRES ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE FIFTH OCCASION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS DISCONTINUED THE TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE TIRE SIZE AND THE MODEL NUMBER WERE NOT AVAILABLE ON THE DROP DOWN MENU.
TREAD SEPARATED ON MY LEFT FRONT FIRESTONE FIREHAWK SS10 RADIAL TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THIS CAUSE MUCH SKIDDING AND LOSS OF CONTROL. IT IS A MIRACLE I MANAGED TO GET OVER FOUR LANES TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE OR VICE VERSA. THE TREAD RUINED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR BEFORE BEING UNATTACHED AND BECOMING A HAZARD FOR THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE BEHIND ME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FIRESTONE HAS INDIRECTLY TRIED TO KILL ME I WAS A VICTIM OF THE EXACT SAME INCIDENT 15 YEARS AGO ON SOME FIRESTONE 500'S IN MY FATHERS CAR. WHERE IS SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR? *LA
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
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
TRANSAXLE FACEPLATE FAILED.
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
MACPHERSON STRUTS FAILED 3 TIMES. ALSO, MUFFLER/STARTER/FLYWHEEL AND BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
STARTER/FLYWHEEL/MUFFLER/BRAKES/MCPHERSON STRUTS FAILED. *AK
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
LEFT/REAR TAIL LIGHT TOO BRIGHT. *AW
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 .