IllustrationVEHICLE 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.
1988 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1988 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 64 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
64 reports1988 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
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. T…
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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.
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…
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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
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
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 B…
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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
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
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM REAR WHICH WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS . PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
FLYWHEEL TEETH FOR STARTER IS GETTING CHEWED UP. COSNUMER HAS HAD STARTER AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED TWICE. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED PARTS. *AK
THE TIRE BLEW WHILE IN THE TRUNK (IN TRUNK FOR 3 YEARS). SEPARATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TREAD. TIRE HAD 75% OF TREAD. FIRE DEPARTMENT AND NEIGHBORS THOUGHT IT WAS A BOMB.( DOT NUMBER: Y382E TIRE SIZE: 185/70SR14 )
Official recalls
416V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 2, 2016
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 & remedy
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.
92V135000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Sep 22, 1992
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 & remedy
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.
89V175000 · Seat Belts:front
Oct 18, 1989
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
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.
88V127000 · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift; Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer
Aug 1, 1988
DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE THREAD PROFILE OF THE CAR JACK, WHEN THE WAGON IS RAISED, THE JACK MAY BE UNABLE TO SUSTAIN THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: JACK COULD LOWER ITSELF WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE PERSONALINJURY.
Remedy: REPLACE JACK.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift
DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE THREAD PROFILE OF THE CAR JACK, WHEN THE WAGON IS RAISED, THE JACK MAY BE UNABLE TO SUSTAIN THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: JACK COULD LOWER ITSELF WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE PERSONALINJURY.
Remedy: REPLACE JACK.
Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer
DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE THREAD PROFILE OF THE CAR JACK, WHEN THE WAGON IS RAISED, THE JACK MAY BE UNABLE TO SUSTAIN THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: JACK COULD LOWER ITSELF WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE PERSONALINJURY.
Remedy: REPLACE JACK.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
8EA97008 · Leaking Fuel Tank
Opened Apr 23, 1997 · Closed Apr 22, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK
EA92044 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Dec 18, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE92065 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Jul 16, 1992 · Closed Dec 18, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA92013 · Stuck Power Door Locks
Opened May 8, 1992 · Closed May 12, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA90028 · Passive Safety Belt Fails
Opened May 29, 1990 · Closed Feb 28, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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PE90027 · Passive Safety Belt Warnin
Opened Dec 15, 1989 · Closed May 29, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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EA89020 · Front Lap Belt Jams
Opened Mar 22, 1989 · Closed Nov 16, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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PE89014 · Frnt Seat Lap Belt Jamming
Opened Nov 18, 1988 · Closed Mar 22, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
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