NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Tank Assembly
728.0%
Webbing
416.0%
Filler Pipe AND CAP
312.0%
Buckle Assembly
312.0%
Switch
28.0%
Engine
28.0%
Ignition
28.0%
Front Underhood
28.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 5Dec 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Toyota Camry
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK
EA93010Opened 26 Apr 1993Closed 29 Sep 1993VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
UNDER DASH FIRES
EA92044Opened 18 Dec 1992Closed 31 Jan 1994VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THROTTLE STICKING
PE92065Opened 16 Jul 1992Closed 18 Dec 1992VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THROTTLE STICKING
EA92013Opened 8 May 1992Closed 12 May 1993STRUCTURE
STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKS
DP92001Opened 6 Jan 1992Closed 8 May 1992UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION
EA90028Opened 29 May 1990Closed 28 Feb 1992SEAT BELTS
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILS
===
PE90027Opened 15 Dec 1989Closed 29 May 1990SEAT BELTS
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNIN
===
Recalls on the 1987 Toyota Camry
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
92V135000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
Risk: IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
92V025000
SEAT BELTS
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.
Risk: 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.
89V175000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
Risk: SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199212438,787 units in Canada
Electrical
CERTAIN RELAYS IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MAY FAIL, CAUSING THEIR CONTACTS TO "WELD", RESULTING IN DOOR LOCK SOLENOID DAMAGE, POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE LOCKING OR UNLOCKING OF THE DOOR, EVEN UNDER MANUAL OPERATION. THIS WOULD PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM BEING ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. CORRECTION: AN ADDITIONAL SUB-CIRCUIT INCLUDING THE RELAYS TO THE ECU WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Stanton, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 TOYOTA CAMRY. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY BUILDING. SHE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, INCLUDING A BROKEN RIGHT LEG, RIGHT SHOULDER AND STERNUM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/07/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10
NHTSA complaint #10318098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Haven, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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.
NHTSA complaint #865661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Hill, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, DRIVER SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND SPOTTED A FIRE NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CLOGGED UP, CAUSING A FIRE TO START.*AK
NHTSA complaint #857511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liberty, MOFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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 GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #828576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liberty, MOFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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 GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #828576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, TXFire
SEAT BELTS
MOTORBELT FAILED/CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 184,592 milesWoodvillage, OR
SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT BACK WHEN DOOR HAS BEEN CLOSED
NHTSA complaint #11378339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanton, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 TOYOTA CAMRY. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY BUILDING. SHE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, INCLUDING A BROKEN RIGHT LEG, RIGHT SHOULDER AND STERNUM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/07/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10
NHTSA complaint #10318098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesLincoln, NE
STRUCTURE
DT: CONTACT STATES THAT THE RUST ON THE VEHICLE IS CAUSING GAS FUMES TO COME INTO THE CAB OF VEHICLE. THE RUST IS IN THE REAR WHEEL WELLS. HE BELIEVES THE RUST WEAKENS THE STRUCTURE. DEALER WOULD OFFER NO HELP AT THEIR EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER OFFERED THE CONTACT $500.00 OFF OF A NEW VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10139479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesCorona, NY
SEAT BELTS
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 92 V 025 000.
NHTSA complaint #10015768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesTheodore, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY CAR KEEPS STALLING OUT. I CAN SMELL GAS MOST OF THE TIME. WE CANNOT LOCATE A LEAK - HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER, DISTRIBUTOR CAP & OXYGEN SENSOR BUT WHEN IT RAINS OR IS HUMID THE CARS STALLS UNTIL IT GETS WARM (AFTER RUNNING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES). THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL EVEN SLIGHTLY. NO ONE CAN LOCATE THE PROBLEM - SOMEONE I WORK WITH HAD ONE THAT DID THE SAME THING UNTIL THEY SOLD IT. YOU CAN PAD THE PEDAL AND SOMETIMES GET PAST THE POINT OF STALLING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10014123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annandale, VA
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE DRIVER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A RATTLE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ACCOMPANIED BY ERRATIC SWAYING OF THE REAR END AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SINCE MAY OF 1996. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN DEC2001. THE REAR TORSION BAR WAS BROKEN AT A BEND AT IT CROSSES NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE. A REPLACEMENT BAR WAS SOUGHT AT AN AUTO JUNK YARD AND IT WAS NOTED THAT ALL 5 OF THE SAME MODEL CARS AT THE YARD HAD THE SAME FAILURE AT THE SAME LOCATION!!!! THIS FALURE CAN CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND SHOULD MAY EASILY BE CONFUSED AS A FAILURE CAUSED BY THE SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT. IN FACT THE FAILURE JUST PRIOR TO ACCIDENT CAN CAUSE THE ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEED AND SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR AFTER ANY REPORTED ACCIDENT WITH THIS CAR. THE FAILURE CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO EASILY LEAVE THE ROAD OR DRIVE ERRATICALLY AND MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO DRIVER ERROR RATHER THAN MECHANICAL FAILURE, WHICH IT APPEARS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #755228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
SEAT BELTS
BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ARE DEFECTIVE ALONG WITH BOTH LAP BELTS THEY DO NOT LOCK UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #748099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRONT TO REAR OF VEHICLE HAVE RUSTED THROUGH; CONSUMER HAVE REPLACED BRAKE LINE, AND HAD OLD LINE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #891588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #745717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
STRUCTURE
A LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE OCCURS WHEN DRIVING OVER DIPS OR SPEED BUMPS IN FRONT END. *AK THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE STRUT TOWER SUPPORT MOUNT AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #880345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #873427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
S. Pasadena, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE BELT HAS A PLASTIC HOUSING ON FEMALE SIDE THAT CAME OFF AND WITHOUT THAT ON CAN'T FASTEN BELT. CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO USE LAP BELT.
NHTSA complaint #873408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Haven, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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.
NHTSA complaint #865661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
SEAT BELTS
DOOR SWITCH THAT RETRACTS SAFETY BELT LEAVES THE CONSUMER BELTED IN UNLESS THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPEN, WITH THE DOOR FULLY OPEN THE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #784715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF AND ON WHILE USING THE TURN SIGNALS. NL,
NHTSA complaint #784715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
SEAT BELTS
DOOR SWITCH THAT RETRACTS SAFETY BELT LEAVES THE CONSUMER BELTED IN UNLESS THE DOOR IS SLIGHTLY OPEN, WITH THE DOOR FULLY OPEN THE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #784715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF AND ON WHILE USING THE TURN SIGNALS. NL,
NHTSA complaint #784715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Hill, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, DRIVER SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND SPOTTED A FIRE NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CLOGGED UP, CAUSING A FIRE TO START.*AK
NHTSA complaint #857511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #832761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humboldt, TN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE DOORS ARE STUCK LOOCKED AND IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THEM BUT, ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE HOOD LATCH CABLE THAT WAS BROKE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYINGTO GET INTO THE CAR TO FIND OUT WHY THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTED AS WELL. IS THE COMPANY REQUIRED TO FIX THEM AS WELL? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO BE FIXED WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THANK-YOU.
NHTSA complaint #715090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humboldt, TN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
THE DOORS ARE STUCK LOOCKED AND IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THEM BUT, ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE HOOD LATCH CABLE THAT WAS BROKE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYINGTO GET INTO THE CAR TO FIND OUT WHY THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTED AS WELL. IS THE COMPANY REQUIRED TO FIX THEM AS WELL? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO BE FIXED WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THANK-YOU.
NHTSA complaint #715090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chico Hills, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S AND THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES DISINTEGRATED. AS A RESULT, SEAT BELTS WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN EVENT OF A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #850257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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 REPAIRED THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #840377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
IN THE MORNING AFTER THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN USED OR IN COLD WEATHER DURING SHORT PERIODS THE ACCELORATOR LINKAGE ON THE FOOT PEDAL STICKS REQUIRING ME TO PRESS HARD QUICKLY TO UNSTICK THE LINKAGE. AT TIMES IT WILL DO THIS WHILE TRAVELING ONLY WHEN REAL COLD AND AM AFRAID SOMETIME THAT IT WILL STICK IN TRAVELING OR LEAVING A CONGESTED AREA WHERE I CANNOT CONTOL THE SPEED OT THE CAR DUE TO THIS JERK OF ACCERATION.
NHTSA complaint #707073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #545445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.