1990 Toyota Camry recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heat…
What could happen: 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. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 CAMRY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V396000 (manufacturer code SET16B).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-405-4226.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Summary: 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, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. 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.
What could happen: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 CAMRY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V135000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: STRUCTURE: POWER DOOR LOCKS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH POWER DOOR LOCKS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Toyota Camry owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (27), Body / structure (22), Latches / locks (21), Vehicle Speed Control (16), Engine (15).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/06/2015 · Seat belts · crash
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 OPE…
07/29/2014 · Latches / locks
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 DI…
03/18/2010 · Latches / locks
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…
02/28/2010 · Vehicle 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 A…
02/24/2010 · Wheels / tires
TIRE TREAD FAILURE SEPARATED. BOUGHT TIRES USED NOV/DEC 2009. TIRE=GENERAL AMERI G4S I HAVE PICTURES. *TR
11/15/2008 · Brakes
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
06/16/2006 · Latches / locks
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…
03/26/2006 · Brakes
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…