1990 Toyota CAMRY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
76 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
150,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 76 complaints (14.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 11 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 11; Structure:Body:Door: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Seat Belts: 6; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 8
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 62 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 22 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 22; 1996: 15; 2000: 7; 2001: 5; 2002: 3; 2003: 7; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 4; 2008: 1; 2010: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001624 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL#92V135000 (LATCHES AND LOCKS). DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. * TS THE DRIVER DOOR'S ELECTRIC LOCK OPENED FROM THE LOCK POSITION. RECALLL# 92V135000 *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008362 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
I HAVE 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY AND DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT, GOT STUCK IN OPEN POSITION. 8NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 186,253 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017851 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018297 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED A YELLOW BOX IN THE TRUNK TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026166 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
POWER DOOR LOCKS SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED. VEHICLE'S VIN NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 92V135000. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED HE/SHE MAY EXPERIENCE TROUBLE EXITING/ENTERING VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033623 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION. THE TIRE HAD BEEN REMOVED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. DOT NUMBER #ACJ73JFFF1500. *AK THE DEALER SAID THAT THE STEEL BELT WAS BROKEN AND CAUSED A FLAT AREA. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033942 · 2003-08-14 (August 14, 2003)
FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT MECHANISM WILL BUCKLE, BUT WON'T RELEASE. ALSO, PLASTIC COVER WHICH PROTECTS THE METAL FELL OF. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052530 · 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
WILDE TOYOTA WILL FIX A PROBLEM ON MY MOM'S 1990 TOYOTA CAMERY. WE HAVE 2 DIFFERENT GARAGES SAYING THAT THE REPAIR THAT WILDE TOYATA MADE WADNT DONE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052530 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V396000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V135000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 1992-09-22 (September 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗