Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Toyota Camry, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 12 | 33% |
| Tires | 6 | 17% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 11% |
| Visibility | 3 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 8% |
| Structure | 2 | 6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1986 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT WE BOUGHT NEW. WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION BACK IN 1986 AND BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
RAPID RUBBER DETERIORATION ON KUHMO PASSENGER CAR TIRE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
1986 TOYOTA CAMRY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ONCE*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HE EXPERIENCED WAS DUE TO ELECTRONICS NOT THE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ON A STEEP UPHILL CLIMB ON MN HIGHWAY 52
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
3/28/04-PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FROM WAL-MART TIRE CENTER (P185/70R13 BW X-TRAC). 4/16/2005- BROKE DOWN ON SIDE OF ROAD DUE TO VEHICLE SHAKING VIOLENTLY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED; MECHANIC SAID THAT BELT IN TIRE SLIPPED. I RE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND MY CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND SAW THAT MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING ON THE ROAD NOR WAS MY T
NHTSA complaint: Tires
ENGINE MAKES CLANGING SOUND BETWEEN 1500-2500RPM WHICH INCREASES IN FREQ ALONG WITH ENGINE SPEED THEN STOPS . HEARD IN PARK AS WELL AS DRIVING CAR? WHAT IS IT? HOW CAN IT BE FIXED? DT
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THIS IS A GENERAL RATHER THAN SPECIFIC COMPLAINT, ABOUT ONE OF THE GREATEST DANGERS ON THE ROAD: THE POSSIBILITY OF SUDDEN BREAKAGE OF THE TIMING BELTS IN MANY CARS. THEY ARE PRONE TO BREAK WITHOUT WARNING, LEAVING THE C
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WINDOW HANDLE ON DRIVERS SIDE FELL OFF. HE TOOK IT TO GARAGE. THE ONLY WAY THAT THE HANDLE WILL STAY IF CONSUMER WOULD HAVE THE WINDOW OPEN, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. HE HAS KNOB NEXT TO HIM, AND THEN HE WILL STICK THE KNOB
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 48 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 12 of them (33%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.