TOYOTA CAMRY · model year

1990 TOYOTA CAMRY

160 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990TOYOTACAMRY carries 160 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 CAMRY is latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch with 20 filings, followed by seat belts (16) and structure:body:door (16). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 1990 CAMRY, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

160
Complaints
5
Crashes
3
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

160 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH20
SEAT BELTS16
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR16
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3

Recent Complaints

20150406CrashSEAT BELTS

MY HUSBAND WAS A PASSENGER IN THIS CAR WHEN A DUMP TRUCK SMASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, THE IMPACT CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN WHICH UNLOCKED THE SEAT BELT WHICH ALLOWED MY HUSBAND TO BE EJECTED FROM THE CAR. HE SUFFERED BROKEN BACK, CRUSHED TIBIA, BROKEN RIBS....ALL BECAUSE THE DOOR OPENED AND THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS UNLOCKED WHEN DOOR OPENED. SEATS WHERE SUPPOSED TO KEEP YOU IN THE CAR AND NOT EJECTED FROM THE CAR. *TR

20140729LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BENT LOCK MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,310.

Mileage: 54,310

20100318LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

1990 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILURE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS COMPLETELY FAILED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS MANUALLY OR WITH THE KEY. THIS OCCURRED DURING FREEZING TEMPERATURES, SO AT FIRST SHE THOUGHT THE LOCKS WERE FROZEN. SHE USED DE-ICER TO NO AVAIL. FORTUNATELY, HER SON WAS ABLE TO PERFORM A MANEUVER TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET IN THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK/OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND INSERT THE KEY IN THE LOCK, TURN IT SLIGHTLY AND THEN PULL ON THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. THEN ON THE WAY HOME, THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED AND SHE HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR HANDLE WHILE DRIVING WITH ONE HAND. THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR OVER A HALF OF MILLION CAMRY'S FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HER LOCAL DEALER AND SHE W

20100228VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WHILE DRIVING, MY DAD'S CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE SAID THAT HE HAD TO DRIVE WITH BOTH FEET ON THE ACCELERATOR. LATER, HE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING OCCUR AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. FINALLY, MY BROTHER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD A HEATED DISCUSSION WITH THE DEALERSHIP. MY DAD WENT TO PICK THE CAR UP, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PROVIDE ANY PAPERWORK TO HIM ON WHAT REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS ADAMANT ABOUT NOT DISCLOSING ANY DETAILS. IT WAS ONLY MONTHS LATER WE FOUND OUT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. SADLY, WE DO NOT KNOW IF THEY DISCONNECTED IT OR IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. EITHER WAY, WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE SINCE THEN. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE EXACT DATES, BUT I AM HOPING THAT THE DEALERSH

20100224TIRES

TIRE TREAD FAILURE SEPARATED. BOUGHT TIRES USED NOV/DEC 2009. TIRE=GENERAL AMERI G4S I HAVE PICTURES. *TR

Mileage: 162,500

20081115SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY REPORT IS ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL TO CASE #10153732 EXCEPT WE LIVE IN THE MIDWEST NEAR CHICAGO. WE REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES FOR THE REAR AND NOW, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE FRONT LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 238,000

20060616LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DEAR SIR, I HAVE A 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY AND THE DRIVER SIDE LOCK DOESN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS SINCE MARCH OF 2005. THE LOCK DOESN'T WORK MANUALLY ALSO I.E. INSERTING A KEY FROM OUTSIDE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR DOESN'T OPEN IT. THIS HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCOMFORT COMING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR AS I NEED TO USE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. I HAVE SEEN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME DEFECT THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FOR THE PAST ONE YEAR WITH MY CAR. WHEN I MENTIONED THE ISSUE TO TOYOTA THEY SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. I WANTED TO COMPLAIN THIS ISSUE AND IF THERE ARE MORE NUMBER OF CASES LIKE MINE THEN MAY BE TOYOTA CAN CONSIDER OUR CASE. WITH BEST REGARDS, -RAJA. *NM

Mileage: 151,000

20060326SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TOYOTA CAMRY - SITUATION WHERE THE REAR BRAKE LINES (COVERED AND CANNOT BE SEEN) HAVE CORRODED THROUGH. MY CAMRY RECENTLY HAD ONE OF THE LINES FAIL (BOTH BRAKE LINES AND 3 FUEL LINES HAVE SEVERE CORROSION UNDER THE SHIELD) AND I'M LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYBODY. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN FOR SUCH AREAS AS MINE (SYRACUSE, NY) WHERE THERE IS SIGNIFICANT SALT USE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THE SHIELD ACTUALLY PROMOTES CORROSION BY RETAINING WINTER SLUSH, MUD AND SALT. TOYOTA SHOWS A COMPLETE OF CONCERN OVER SUCH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT IS NOT COVERED BY EITHER A SERVICE BULLETIN OR BY A RECOMMENDED INSPECTION PER THE MAINTENANCE BOOK. TOYOTA DESIGNED SUCH AN INADEQUATE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM FOR THIS MODEL FOR ANY AREA THAT USES SALT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WITHOUT EVEN A WARNING TO CHECK UNDER THE PLASTIC GUARDS FOR CORROSION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OR INABILITY TO STOP. *JB

Mileage: 130,450

20060314LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILS TO UNLOCK. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 92V135000, REGARDING THE DOOR LOCKS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE REAR WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN. UPDATED 05/02/06. *JB

Mileage: 168,000

20060130CrashFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY OUT OF PARKING THE VEHICLE ACCLERATED AT FULL SPEED AND CRASHED INTO TELEPHONE POLE. THE DRIVER DID NOT CAUSE THIS

20050907STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR HINGES CRACKED CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL OFF WHEN OPENING. NO LONGER ABLE TO UTILIZE REAR PASSENGER SEATS BECAUSE OF FEAR OF DOOR SUDDENLY OPENING AND CAUSING INJURY. NOT REPAIRED. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AND PAID FOR BY TOYOTA. *JB

Mileage: 82,000

20050710VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

THROTTLE INTERMITTANTLY STICKS AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE, THEN LETS LOOSE CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP.

Mileage: 50,000

20050620LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WAS LOCKED INSIDE 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY, ABOUT 250 DEGREES OR MORE. ALL DOOR HANDLES FAILED. MOONROOF WOULD NOT OPEN. HAD TO KICK OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO ESCAPE. TOYOTA, IF YOU DON'T THINK THESE ARE DEFECTIVE CARS, YOU MUST BE FROM AN ALIEN PLANET. PLEASE, POLICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I SURVIVED A DEATH TRAP...SEEMS LIKE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS THE ONLY ANSWER.

Mileage: 150,000

20040519LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION, MAKING IT UNABLE TO OPEN IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.*AK

20040519LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION, MAKING IT UNABLE TO OPEN IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.*AK

20040413LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

RIGHT/PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS STUCK IN A LOCKED POSITION. NOT ABLE TO OPEN LOCK MANUALLY EITHER. ALL OTHER DOORS WORKING PROPERLY WITH AUTOMATIC OR MAUAL DOOR LOCK USE. ALL POWER WINDOWS WORK PROPERLY. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL #92V135000 , BUT TOYOTA STATES IT'S NOT MY VEHICLE. THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURING, AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF EVER I WAS TRAPPED AND ME OR MY CHILDREN NEEDED TO GET OUT THAT DOOR.

20040308SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE DRIVER SIDE (AUTOMATIC SEATBELT) ON MY 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY WON'T RETRACT. *AK

Mileage: 262,000

20040106STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

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

20030814SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT MECHANISM WILL BUCKLE, BUT WON'T RELEASE. ALSO, PLASTIC COVER WHICH PROTECTS THE METAL FELL OF. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

20030811TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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

Mileage: 170,000

Compare 1990TOYOTACAMRY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY have?
The 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY has 160 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY?
The most-complained component for the 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR.
Is the 1990 TOYOTA CAMRY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.