Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Toyota Camry, and it carries 2 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 | 23 | 16% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 21 | 14% |
| Structure | 19 | 13% |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 9% |
| Fuel system | 9 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 5% |
| Power train | 8 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 5% |
| Tires | 5 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
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
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
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
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TIRE TREAD FAILURE SEPARATED. BOUGHT TIRES USED NOV/DEC 2009. TIRE=GENERAL AMERI G4S I HAVE PICTURES. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
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 SH
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1990 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.
| Reliability | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 23 of them (16%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (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 1990 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.