1990 Toyota Camry: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Toyota Camry: 2 recalls, 134 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #92V135000 · 1992 · 554,910 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the door fails to open after ECU failure, vehicleoccupants would have increased difficulty exiting the vehicle in an emergency.
The fix: Install an additional subcircuit relay control to prevent malfunction of original relays in the ECU.
Seats Vehicle recall #16V396000 · 2016 · 7,749 vehicles
What's wrong: The electrical wiring in the seat heaters May be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Why it matters: If damaged, the copper strand heating element May short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (24): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (20): the most common themes are door / lock issues (18), rust / corrosion (2).
- Latches & locks (19): the most common themes are door / lock issues (16).
- Speed control / throttle (16): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (2).
The 1990 Toyota Camry has 134 owner complaints, ranking #32 of 35 Camry model years for complaints (well below the 511 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (25 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 150,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (149 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Toyota Camry.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Toyota Camry problems?
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (24), body & structure (20), latches & locks (19).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Toyota Camry get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 7 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Toyota Camry repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.