MYRModel Year Report

1988 Toyota Camry

▲ Better than typical
1988 Toyota Camry
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:28:47.818Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Camry Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1988 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 780 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1293 complaints 2010: 602 complaints 2011: 598 complaints 2012: 589 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 181 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 737 complaints 2019: 393 complaints 2019 2020: 271 complaints 2021: 155 complaints 2022: 58 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 50 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1988: 69 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198633
198758
198869
1989117
1990136
1991155
1992569
1993263
1994306
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008933
20091293
2010602
2011598
2012589
2013274
2014455
2015269
2016181
2017148
2018737
2019393
2020271
2021155
202258
202364
202450
2025146

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%

22% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing starter assembly and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070416

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE FIRE EXTENDED TO CONSUMER'S HOME. *SLC

NHTSA ODI report, 19951109

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TIMING BELT FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19941121

SEAT BELTS 16%

16% of complaints: seat belts — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing anchorage and webbing.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED DURNG ACCIDENT, CAUSING CHEST TO FALL FORWARD/INJURY. *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19950615

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASH INJURY
STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and trunk lid.

Show complaint excerpts

FIREWALL FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSBLE TO STEER VEHICLE. *DH

NHTSA ODI report, 19940205

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19880822 — equipment

DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE THREAD PROFILE OF THE CAR JACK, WHEN THE WAGON IS RAISED, THE JACK MAY BE UNABLE TO SUSTAIN THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: REPLACE JACK.

Campaign 88V127000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19881118 — PE (closed 19890322)

FRNT SEAT LAP BELT JAMMING

I 19890322 — EA (closed 19891116)

FRONT LAP BELT JAMS

I 19891215 — PE (closed 19900529)

PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNIN

R 19891228 — seat belts

OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.

Remedy: REPLACE LAP BELT WITH A REDESIGNED BELT GUIDE.

Campaign 89V175000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900529 — EA (closed 19920228)

PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILS

I 19920508 — EA (closed 19930512)

STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKS

I 19920716 — PE (closed 19921218)

THROTTLE STICKING

R 19921109 — latches/locks/linkages

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

Remedy: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.

Campaign 92V135000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19921218 — EA (closed 19940131)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19970423 — EA (closed 19980422)

LEAKING FUEL TANK

R 20160714 — seats

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,...

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.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 88V127000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V175000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V135000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2009 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Toyota Camry reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Toyota Camry is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Toyota Camry?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Toyota Camry have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.