VehicleVerdict

1990 Toyota Camry problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1990 Toyota Camry is among the quieter years of the Camry on NHTSA's books: 160 complaints (57% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (27), body & structure (22), and latches & locks (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

160

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

9

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Camry years?

Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted3,669 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 35 complaints1987: 70 complaints1988: 88 complaints1989: 138 complaints1990: 160 complaints1991: 186 complaints1992: 646 complaints1993: 334 complaints1994: 364 complaints1995: 373 complaints1996: 567 complaints1997: 685 complaints1998: 751 complaints1999: 661 complaints2000: 577 complaints2001: 356 complaints2002: 1,183 complaints2003: 946 complaints2004: 798 complaints2005: 905 complaints2006: 393 complaints2007: 3,669 complaints2008: 1,139 complaints2009: 1,611 complaints2010: 764 complaints2011: 779 complaints2012: 807 complaints2013: 377 complaints2014: 637 complaints2015: 362 complaints2016: 249 complaints2017: 206 complaints2018: 1,082 complaints2019: 551 complaints2020: 374 complaints2021: 192 complaints2022: 87 complaints2023: 85 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 198 complaints
Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Toyota Camry problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts2717%
Latches & Locks2214%
Body & Structure2214%
Speed Control1711%
Engine159%
Electrical System128%
Fuel System106%
Brakes85%
Transmission85%
Visibility & Wipers64%
Tires & Wheels43%
Lighting43%
Suspension11%
Seats11%
Other11%
Steering11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1990 Toyota Camry have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V396000SeatsJune 2, 2016 · 7,749 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

92V135000Latches & LocksSeptember 22, 1992 · 554,910 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY HUSBAND WAS A PASSENGER IN THIS CAR WHEN A DUMP TRUCK SMASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, THE IMPACT CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN WHICH UNLOCKED THE SEAT BELT WHICH ALLOWED MY HUSBAND TO BE EJECTED FROM THE CAR. HE SUFFERED BROKEN BACK, CRUSHED TIBIA, BROKEN RIBS....ALL BECAUSE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · March 25, 2015 · crash

“ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK SYSTEM WHICH IS ROUTED IN THE DASH BY THE A/C SYSTEM VENTS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSNG A FIRE IN THE DASH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 3, 1999 · fire

“WAS LOCKED INSIDE 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY, ABOUT 250 DEGREES OR MORE. ALL DOOR HANDLES FAILED. MOONROOF WOULD NOT OPEN. HAD TO KICK OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO ESCAPE. TOYOTA, IF YOU DON'T THINK THESE ARE DEFECTIVE CARS, YOU MUST BE FROM AN ALIEN PLANET. PLEASE, POLICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I SURVIVED A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · June 18, 2005

“WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP, AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND COULDN'T PUSH IT DOWN. CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE, TOOK HAND AND PUSHED PEDAL UP AND DOWN, TO LOOSEN IT UP. DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. CONSUMER FELT THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 8, 1999

“VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS. REFILLED VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. DROVE VEHICLE TO FRIEND'S HOUSE & THEN IT DIED OUT AGAIN. VEHICLE NEEDED GAS AGAIN. VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OVER. ALSO, DISTRIBUTOR CAP GOT WET & HAD TO BE REPLACED. STALLING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS & WOULD NOT MAKE A CATCHING NOISE WHEN TRYING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 9, 2000

1990 Toyota Camry — common questions

Is the 1990 Toyota Camry reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 160 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Camry year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1990 Camry problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (27 complaints), body & structure (22 complaints), latches & locks (22 complaints).

Does the 1990 Toyota Camry have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Toyota Camry under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 9 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Camry years should you avoid?

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.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.