RoadVitals

1992 Toyota Camry Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest May 12, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 565 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1992 Toyota Camry submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

ElectricalInterior & seatsSteering
Filed May 12, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED OR OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD ALSO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL RADIATING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10587932
Incident
May 9, 2014
Electrical
Filed Sep 30, 2010

WHILE DRIVING MY 1992 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE 6 ON THE INTERSTATE, WITH THE RADIO ON, SMOKE SUDDENLY STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND QUICKLY FILLED THE CABIN. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I LOOKED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SAW A WIRED ELECTRIC MODULE WHICH WAS RED-HOT TO THE TOUCH. (SLIGHTLY BURNED FINGERTIP) I THEN CALLED FOR HELP AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME. THE NEXT DAY I FOUND OUT THAT THE UNDERSEAT SMOKING MODULE WAS THE STEREO POWER AMPLIFIER FOR THE RADIO. ALSO, I FOUND ON THE INTERNET REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER CAMRYS WHICH RESULTED IN FIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10358387
Incident
Sep 27, 2010
Mileage
101,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 23, 2009
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL WIRING IN FACTORY CAR STEREO STARTED ON FIRE, CAUSING CAR FIRE WHILE DRIVING. RADIO HAD TO BE REPLACED. MAY STILL HAVE OLD RADIO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10293305
Incident
Mar 10, 2007
Mileage
111,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 2007
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 45 MINUTES WHEN IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, TAIL LIGHT, AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE PANEL. THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V213000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,475 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,460. UPDATED 02-04-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAR IGNITION SWITCH HAS SUDDENLY BROKEN DOWN ALLOWING THE KEY TO BE REMOVED, WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MOON TOWNSHIP POLICE REPORT UPDATED 02/04/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10211799
Incident
Nov 20, 2007
Mileage
150,460 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2004
Fire reported

THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS FULL OF A BLUISH COLOR SMOKE WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THE ORIGINATION OF THE SMOKE WAS UNDETERMINED, BUT THE STRONGEST SMOKE SMELL WAS AT THE STEREO AMPLIFIER WIRING LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THERE'S A RECALL 93V147000 FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT'S ON AN EARLIER MODEL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10057356
Incident
Jan 30, 2004
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 23, 2003

IF THE KEYS TO THE IGNITION ARE SHUT OFF IN MID-FLIGHT YOU HAVE NO STEERING OR BRAKES PERIOD. YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10016385
Incident
Mar 1, 2003
Mileage
223,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 19, 2001

BATTERY BLEW UP SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
896490
Incident
Sep 13, 2001
Electrical
Filed Mar 15, 2001

POWER ANTENNA FAILED TO LOWER-CHEAP PLASTIC CABLE BROKE!. *AK

NHTSA ID
742516
Incident
Mar 7, 2001
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2000

VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEMS, WILL RESTART AFTER 20 OR MORE MINUTE. VEHICLE BEEN INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.*AK

NHTSA ID
871823
Incident
Mar 15, 2000
ElectricalEngineSuspension+3 more
Filed Sep 21, 2000

CONSUMER HAS HAD WHEEL ALIGNMENTS, TIRES BALANCED, AND FINALLY REPLACEMENT OF TIRES. *SLC

NHTSA ID
555101
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 1999
Fire reported

THE STEREO AMP LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMITTED A WHISP OF SMOKE AND WITHIN 20 SECONDS HAD VISIBLE FLAMES COMMING FROM IT.

NHTSA ID
705658
Incident
Apr 9, 1999
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 1999
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE IN THE ENGINE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. MJS

NHTSA ID
544990
Electrical
Filed Apr 7, 1999

HEAVY SMOKE BEGAN TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHILE PULLING FROM PARKING LOT. EVEN AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE ENGINE FINALLY WENT OFF AFTER TRYING THE KEY A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE STARTER WAS FOUND TO BE THE PROBLEM. THE STARTER HAD BEEN REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
835562
Incident
Mar 3, 1999
ElectricalSuspension
Filed Jan 26, 1999

VERY POOR DEALER SERVICE. REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY EVEN IT WAS BARELY OVER THE 60K FACTORY WARRANTY. HAD THE SUSPENSION BUSHING REPLACED AT 30K. BATTERY DIED AT 29K. *AK

NHTSA ID
702616
Incident
Dec 20, 1996
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 1998
Fire reported

WIRING HARNESS FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

NHTSA ID
541407
Incident
Jan 29, 1998
Electrical
Filed Sep 22, 1998
Fire reported

WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA ID
541034
Incident
Jan 29, 1998
Electrical
Filed May 15, 1998
Fire reported

WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT TED LIGHT FLAMES WERE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ID
535634
Incident
May 2, 1998
Electrical
Filed May 12, 1998

UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT A FIRE STARTED AND SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. DLR CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
823225
Incident
May 2, 1998
Electrical
Filed Jan 1, 1998
Fire reported

FIRE BEGAN UPON STARTING OF VEHICLE. RADIO AMPLIFIER UNDER PASSENGER SEAT BURST INTO FLAMES. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT ELECTRICAL HARNESS. FIRE WENT OUT.

NHTSA ID
527647
Incident
Oct 25, 1997
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Oct 15, 1997

HOOD SUPPORT FAILED CAUSING HOOD TO COLLAPSE. (MS)

NHTSA ID
604599
Incident
Feb 13, 1996
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed May 21, 1997

UPON CHANGING A FUSE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON ANYTIME, CAUSING ABS TO BE UNARMED. COULD RESULT IN PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG. DUE TO SENSORS THEY WOULD NEED TO RESET EACH TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
812412
Incident
May 20, 1997
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 1997

WHILE DRIVING WAS TRYING TO MERGE ON HWY, VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY, WOULD NOT START, MOVED TO SIDE OF ROAD, VEHICLE STARTED 10 MINUTES LATER; TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES & COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM; NEW BRAIN COMPUTER WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
807061
Incident
Dec 15, 1996
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 30, 1996

ENGINE HOOD SUPPORT FAILED.

NHTSA ID
509301
Incident
Sep 30, 1996
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 25, 1996

BATTERY FAILED.

NHTSA ID
506635
Incident
Jul 8, 1996
Electrical
Filed Mar 28, 1996
Crash reported

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, VEHICLE SLID INTO MOTORHOME. *AK

NHTSA ID
981368
Incident
Jan 1, 1995

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .