Verdict · NHTSA data
Among the better years
The 1987 Toyota Camry is among the quieter years of the Camry on NHTSA's books: 70 complaints (81% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.
Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (33% of the total).
70
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
10
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
7
Fires reported
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 23 | 33% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 12 | 17% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 7 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 6 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 4 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 4 | 6% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 2 | 3% | new |
| Latches & Locks | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 3% | — flat |
| Lighting | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — flat |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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
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.
Defect
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
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.
Defect
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DON'T WORK. WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE CONSUMER CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING, BUT THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WON'T GO ACROSS UNLESS THE CONSUMER PULLED THE SHOULDER BELT PART OVER THEM IN ORDER FOR THE SEAT BELT TO WORK.…”
“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…”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 70 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Camry year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (23 complaints), fuel system (12 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 10 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camry years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2004, 2011, 2010, 1998, 1997, 1999, 1992, 2014, 2000, 1996, 1995. The cleanest record among Camry years belongs to 1983.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.