repaired · 2017 Q4
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
1988 Toyota CamryProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 64 owner complaints about the 1988 Toyota Camry, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-396 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 17, 2018. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1988 Toyota Camry has problems
64 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
13Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
10Seat belts5 crash/fire/injury
9Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
9Power train1 crash/fire/injury
6Latches/locks/linkages
6Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
6Structure
4Service brakes, hydraulic
3Steering
1610 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 13 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 10 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 1 |
| Power train | 9 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 16 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1988 Toyota Camry recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Doors: latch
Risk. IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
no report yet
Seat belts: front
Risk. SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.
no report yet
Mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
Risk. JACK COULD LOWER ITSELF WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE PERSONALINJURY.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Best & worst years
1988 vs. every other Camry year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Camry median. How we score
68133258641131341495652602873034175556005014542729537836387213172,8899331,294604602590274455271184148757405276158666753
'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
8 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1988 Toyota Camry, and the recalls they led to.
- FRONT LAP BELT JAMSLed to recall 89V-175
- PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILSLed to recall 92V-025
- STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKSLed to recall 92V-135
- THROTTLE STICKINGNo recall
- LEAKING FUEL TANKNo recall
- FRNT SEAT LAP BELT JAMMINGNo recall
- PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNINNo recall
- THROTTLE STICKINGNo recall
In owners' words
What Camry owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
FLYWHEEL TEETH FOR STARTER IS GETTING CHEWED UP. COSNUMER HAS HAD STARTER AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED TWICE. MANUFACTURER HAS REDESIGNED PARTS. *AK
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. *AK
Own a 1988 Camry?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.