Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 1988 Toyota Camry, and it carries 4 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 | 11 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 13% |
| Power train | 10 | 13% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 8% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 6% |
| Structure | 5 | 6% |
| Tires | 4 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN WENT AWAY. MOMENTS LATER A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE THEN POWER LOSS. AS VEHICLE BEING MERGED EMERGENCY LANE VEHICLE ERUPTED
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 A
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH PEP BOYS FUTURA 185/14 RADIAL 775 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) HE HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED BUBBLES FORMED ON THE TREAD. HE STATED THAT THE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A SPARK NEAR THE VEHICLE'S HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER MOMENTS BEFORE IT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE IGNITED, AND THE FIRE D
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE POWER STEERING HOSE ON THE 19'88 CAMRY WAS RUBBING AGAINST ITSELF AT THE LOOP MOUNTED ON THE FIREWALL, RESULTING IN WORN HOSE AND LEAK AT THE PRESSURE HOES AND LOSS OF FLUID. NOW THE CAR IS OLD, BUT THE HOSE SHOULD N
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TREAD SEPARATED ON MY LEFT FRONT FIRESTONE FIREHAWK SS10 RADIAL TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THIS CAUSE MUCH SKIDDING AND LOSS OF CONTROL. IT IS A MIRACLE I MANAGED TO GET OVER FOUR LANES TO THE SHOULDER
NHTSA complaint: Tires
BOTH FRONT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER AND SEAT BELTS DO NOT CATCH OR HOLD OR GET RESTRAINED WHEN PULLED IN A JERKY FASHION. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO CATCH/HOLD WHEN PULLED IN A JERKY FASHION SIMILAR TO A FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM REAR WHICH WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS . PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seats
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1988 Toyota Camry. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 Priu
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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
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.
Risk: IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Fix: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.
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.
Risk: JACK COULD LOWER ITSELF WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE PERSONALINJURY.
Fix: REPLACE JACK.
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
Risk: SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.
Fix: REPLACE LAP BELT WITH A REDESIGNED BELT GUIDE.
| Reliability | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 11 of them (14%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1988 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 76/100. 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.