The 1987 Toyota Camry has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,139,058 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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 UNDER MANUAL OPERATION.
Consequence
IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Remedy
INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.
SEAT BELTS92V0250001992-02-28175,923 affected
Defect
LIQUID SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE AREA CAN PENETRATE TO THE HOUSING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS. LIQUID CONTAMINATION OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE UNIT SIGNAL NEEDED TO ACTIVATE THE MOVEMENT OF THE MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE.
Consequence
THE MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES MAY NOT MOVEPROPERLY, RESULTING IN LACK OF SAFETY BELT PROTECTION FOR SEAT OCCUPANTS OF THEFRONT SEAT, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY BELT SYSTEM.
SEAT BELTS89V1750001989-10-18408,225 affected
Defect
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
Consequence
SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy
REPLACE LAP BELT WITH A REDESIGNED BELT GUIDE.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS
12
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
7
2fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
2crashes3injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
2
Total complaints70
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The automatic seat belt on driver side does not retract back when door has been closed”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1987 toyota camry. Upon starting the vehicle engine, the vehicle abnormally accelerated without driver intent. She was unable to stop the vehicle and proceeded to crash into a nearby building. She sustained major injuries, including a broken right leg, right shoulder and…”
“The passenger seat belt experienced the same defect as stated in recall 92 v 025 000. *jb”
“My car keeps stalling out. I can smell gas most of the time. We cannot locate a leak - have changed the fuel filter, distributor cap & oxygen sensor but when it rains or is humid the cars stalls until it gets warm (after running for about 30 minutes). This happens when you press the gas pedal even…”
“Both the drivers side and passenger side automatic seat belt are defective along with both lap belts they do not lock upon applying the brakes.*ak”
“Sudden acceleration while traveling at highway speed of 70 mph with cruise control engaged. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak”
“After parking the vehicle, driver smelled burning rubber, looked under the hood, and spotted a fire near the driver side in the engine compartment. Catalytic converter had clogged up, causing a fire to start.*ak *ml”
“The doors are stuck loocked and it is a factory defect. The company is responsible for fixing them but, are they responsible for fixing the hood latch cable that was broke in the process of tryingto get into the car to find out why the doors would not unlock. Also, the seat belts are defected as…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP92001 Opened 1992-01-06 · closed 1992-05-08
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION
InvestigationEA89020 Opened 1989-03-22 · closed 1989-11-16
FRONT LAP BELT JAMS
===
InvestigationEA90028 Opened 1990-05-29 · closed 1992-02-28
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILS
===
InvestigationEA92013 Opened 1992-05-08 · closed 1993-05-12
STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKS
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA92044 Opened 1992-12-18 · closed 1994-01-31
THROTTLE STICKING
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA93010 Opened 1993-04-26 · closed 1993-09-29
UNDER DASH FIRES
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA97008 Opened 1997-04-23 · closed 1998-04-22
LEAKING FUEL TANK
CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK
InvestigationPE89014 Opened 1988-11-18 · closed 1989-03-22
FRNT SEAT LAP BELT JAMMING
===
InvestigationPE90027 Opened 1989-12-15 · closed 1990-05-29
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNIN
===
InvestigationPE92065 Opened 1992-07-16 · closed 1992-12-18
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Toyota Camry as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.