MYRModel Year Report

1988 Toyota Camry

▲ Better than typical
1988 Toyota Camry
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:36:27.003Z

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: 32 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 64 complaints 1988 1989: 113 complaints 1989 1990: 134 complaints 1991: 149 complaints 1992: 565 complaints 1993: 260 complaints 1994: 287 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: 931 complaints 2009: 1289 complaints 2010: 600 complaints 2011: 597 complaints 2012: 587 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 452 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 177 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 726 complaints 2019: 385 complaints 2019 2020: 263 complaints 2021: 153 complaints 2022: 57 complaints 2023: 58 complaints 2024: 45 complaints 2025: 133 complaints 2025
1988: 64 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198632
198758
198864
1989113
1990134
1991149
1992565
1993260
1994287
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008931
20091289
2010600
2011597
2012587
2013274
2014452
2015268
2016177
2017148
2018726
2019385
2020263
2021153
202257
202358
202445
2025133

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 7 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20100806

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file.

SEAT BELTS 8%

8% of complaints: seat belts — 5 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 19950615

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.

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 engine and engine cooling issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (5 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 ▲ 2022

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 engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Toyota Camry have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.