IllustrationAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE TIMES. *AK
1990 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1990 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: 14 of 134 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.
- Seat Belts. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
134 reportsFUEL TANK LEAKS, CAN SMELL GASOLINE AFTER FILLING TANK AND PARKING IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. REPAIRED BY LOCAL MECHANIC, STILL HAS PROBLEM. *AK
SEAT BELTS: THE SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS STUCK IN FORWARD POSITION, DOES NOT RETRACT AT ALL.TOOK IN FOR REPAIR, BUT DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING DONE BECAUSE DEALER WAS GOING TO CHARGE THEM, AND THEY FELT IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY. *AK
THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND SPILLED GASOLINE OUT OF THE CAR. *AK
CAR ENGINE CONTINUALLY STALLS AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS.
INTRIOR SYSTEM: SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
WHEN THE CAR IS FILLED UP WITH GAS IT SMELLS LIKE GAS VERY STRONGLY AND THERE MAY BE A POSSIBLE GAS LEAK. *AK
ALL 4 DOORS WERE LOCKED, WITH PASSENGER INSIDE NONE OF THE DOOR COULD BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. PASSENGER EXITED THROUGH WINDOW.
BROKEN REAR AXLE. *AK
Official recalls
216V396000 · 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.
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
9EA97008 · 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
PE97003 · Leaking Fuel Tank
Opened Jan 21, 1997 · Closed Apr 23, 1997
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.
EA93032 · Alleged Battery Explosions
Opened Dec 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE93074 · Alleged Battery Failures
Opened Aug 27, 1993 · Closed Dec 27, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
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
EA91027 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 6, 1991 · Closed May 29, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE91042 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Feb 7, 1991 · Closed Jun 6, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
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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