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.
Engine
721.2%
Starter Assembly
515.2%
Door
515.2%
Automatic Transmission
412.1%
Latch
39.1%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
39.1%
Foundation Components
39.1%
Anchorage
39.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
120.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
120.0%
150,000+ miles
120.0%
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.
Jan 1995peak 6Mar 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 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
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
EA90028Opened 29 May 1990Closed 28 Feb 1992SEAT BELTS
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILS
===
PE90027Opened 15 Dec 1989Closed 29 May 1990SEAT BELTS
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNIN
===
EA89020Opened 22 Mar 1989Closed 16 Nov 1989SEAT BELTS
FRONT LAP BELT JAMS
===
PE89014Opened 18 Nov 1988Closed 22 Mar 1989SEAT BELTS
FRNT SEAT LAP BELT JAMMING
===
Recalls on the 1988 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.
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.
Recall 19881191,098 units in Canada
Accessories
DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE THREAD PROFILE OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CAR JACK, THE JACK MAY BE UNABLE TO SUSTAIN THE VEHICLE IN THE LIFTED POSITION AND IT COULD THEREFORE LOWER ITSELF. THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO PERSONS USING THE JACK. CORRECTION: CAR JACK WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. NOTE: WAGONS ONLY AFFECTED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 245,000 milesFlowery Branch, GAFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE 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.
NHTSA complaint #11079900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesMoorestown, NJCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1988 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.
NHTSA complaint #10347730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPhoenix Citty, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10188021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Levitt, NYCrash
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM REAR WHICH WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS . PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #881297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saratoga, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, IMPACT LEFT FRONTAL BUMPER AT 10-15 MPH. DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK, THROWING OCCUPANT HIT THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #866623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minnetonka, MNCrash2 injured1 killed
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AUTO WAS STOPPED AT A PARKING RAMP TICKET BOOTH, WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PUSHED TO MOVE FORWARD,ACCELERATOR STUCK AND AUTO PROCEEDED TO INCREASE SPEED,GOING DOWN AN INCLINE TO A SPEED OF APPROX. 40-45. VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPABLE AND CRASHED INTO BRICK WALL SERIOUSLY INJURING DRIVER AND KILLING PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #703723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 245,000 milesFlowery Branch, GAFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE 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.
NHTSA complaint #11079900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesMoorestown, NJCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1988 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.
NHTSA complaint #10347730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesSanta Monica, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10199107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPhoenix Citty, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10188021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10096498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,325 milesGardena, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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?
NHTSA complaint #10045290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #743482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Levitt, NYCrash
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM REAR WHICH WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS . PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #881297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
College Park, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FLYWHEEL TEETH FOR STARTER IS GETTING CHEWED UP. COSNUMER HAS HAD STARTER AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED TWICE. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #881003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
College Park, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
FLYWHEEL TEETH FOR STARTER IS GETTING CHEWED UP. COSNUMER HAS HAD STARTER AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED TWICE. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #881003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylmar, CA
TIRES
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 )
NHTSA complaint #730322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylmar, CA
TIRES
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 )
NHTSA complaint #730322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHICH RESULTED IN COLLISIONS.ET
NHTSA complaint #553248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saratoga, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, IMPACT LEFT FRONTAL BUMPER AT 10-15 MPH. DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK, THROWING OCCUPANT HIT THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #866623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mclean, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE SPEED DROPPED DRAMATICALLY TO 25-30 MPH AND CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SOMEHOW MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE CAR THROUGH THE TRAFFIC. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ON THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #725382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
NECESSARY PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED TO CORRECT RECALL 92V135000. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH THE DOOR LATCHES AND LOCKS, ALSO, CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR RECALL SERVICE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #865399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
CONSUMER PURCHASED A DEFECTIVE (DIEHARD BATTERY), VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NO-START CONDITION AND STALLING, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO PLACE OF PURCHASE TO HAVE BATTERY INSPECTED AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY, REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, WIRING FROM THE STARTING MOTOR TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER AND FINALLY THE BATTERY, RECEIVED NOTICE OF DEFECTIVE BATTERY AFTER ALL PREVIOUS REPLACEMENTS WERE COMPLETED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (92V135000). HOWEVER, FOR THE PASS FOUR YEARS, THE RIGHT SIDE POWER WINDOW HAS EXPERIENCED FAILUE WHICH COULD BE THE RESULT OF A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #550241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Graove, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KEY CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED AND VEHICLE HAS ROLLED AWAY BEFORE. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #853709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, MS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHENEVER THE TANK IS FILLED UP ALL THE WAY CONSUMER SMELLS GAS. IF IT IS NOT FILLED UP, CANNOT SMELL GAS. TOOK TO DEALER,AND THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A HAIRLINE SPLIT IN TANK. DEALER DID NOT REPAIR. CONSUMER FEELS IF CAR RUNS OVER A CIGARETTE IT MIGHT EXPLODE.
NHTSA complaint #852018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Itasca, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
DRIVER IS ABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WITHOUT BEING IN PARK GEAR, RESULTING IN INCIDENT WHEN LEFT IN NEUTRAL GEAR VEHICLE ROLLED.
NHTSA complaint #605433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allendale, SC
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
NHTSA complaint #704926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allendale, SC
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
NHTSA complaint #704926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allendale, SC
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
NHTSA complaint #704926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allendale, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
CAR PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, MECHANIC SAIDS IT NEEDS RACK AND PINION. THE CAR FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PADS MAKES A GRINDING SOUND, WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF A STRATCH WAS ON THE DISC WHERE THE PAD OR SOMETHING WAS GRINDING IT. GOES THROUGH PAD EVERY 30,000 MILES. POWER WINDOWS AND LOCK CEASE TO OPERATE AND LOCKS MUST BE MANUALLY OPERATED.WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH THE CAR PICKS UP A KNOCKING SOUND, POSSIBLE THE WHEEL BEARING OR CV JOINT.
NHTSA complaint #704926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.