1986 Toyota Camry Problems
- Complaints
- 32filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 76,110miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Toyota Camry (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 1986 Toyota Camry. The part named most often is seat belts, with 10 complaints (31% of the total), followed by tires (5) and engine cooling (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,110 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Tires complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts10 31%
- Tires5 16%
- Engine cooling4 13%
- Brakes3 9.4%
- Body and structure2 6.3%
- Equipment1 3.1%
- Suspension1 3.1%
Example complaints
Tires: “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 returned tire to wal-mart and they gave me a pro-rated price on new tire (based on the tread that was left on damaged tire) 6/27/05-broke down on side of road again because of vehicle shaking violently. Almost hit oncoming traffic when I swerved into other lane. Had vehicle towed to mechanic-mechanic said that belt slipped on other tire. Had to have tire replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10126848, filed 2005-06Engine 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 car totally without power, power-assist steering, or power brakes, as happened to my wife in the above case. Few people are aware of this danger, or of the need to replace the timing belt after 50,000 miles or so. …”
NHTSA complaint #732841, filed 2000-09Vehicle speed control: “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. The issue with sudden acceleration has happened 3 more times most recently a few weeks ago. We have been very fortunate that we were able to put the car in neutral and avoid an accident. The last incident a few weeks ago was too close for comfort. The car only has 120k miles and runs great. Is there a specific fix for the sudden acceleration issue in the 1986 Toyota? …”
NHTSA complaint #10864119, filed 2016-05, 120 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 120 and 152,100 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Toyota Camry version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camry FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Camry FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Camry FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 26 | 33 | 29 | $3,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1986 Toyota Camry in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- PE87057Igniter assembly failureClosed · Sep 10, 1987
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Equipment. TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year…
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022Equipment, Wheels, Tires. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10188913Feb 3, 2021Equipment. TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year…
- 10174891Apr 7, 2020Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174890Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01…
- 10145749Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10145748Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10143953Jul 31, 2018Equipment. TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10131713Jan 11, 2018Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and…
- 10123420Oct 27, 2017Body and structure. TSB: Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Toyota, provided…
Other model years of the Toyota Camry
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52 | 5,555 | 1 | 5 | 26 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 65 | 30,000 | 2 | 5 | 26 | 5 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 64 | 40,500 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 158 | 20,500 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 8 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 275 | 7,750 | 3 | 5 | 31 | 52 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 400 | 11,100 | 6 | 5 | 32 | 76 · More | Stable |
| 2018 | 754 | 17,500 | 8 | 5 | 32 | 98 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 148 | 30,797 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 17 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 184 | 28,886 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 22 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 271 | 39,700 | 1 | 5 | 28 | 6 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 455 | 37,060 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 274 | 26,500 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 27 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 590 | 40,000 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 57 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 602 | 49,000 | 5 | 3–4 | 25 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 604 | 30,000 | 9 | — | 26 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 1,294 | 49,000 | 10 | — | 25 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 933 | 55,000 | 7 | — | 25 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 2,888 | 60,000 | 9 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 317 | 42,748 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 721 | 42,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 638 | 45,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 782 | 48,785 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 953 | 50,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 272 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 454 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 501 | 80,732 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 600 | 85,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 555 | 87,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 417 | 96,428 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 303 | 122,589 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 287 | 105,514 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 260 | 134,508 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 565 | 126,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 149 | 119,500 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1990 | 134 | 150,500 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 113 | 153,500 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1988 | 64 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 58 | 159,796 | 3 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1986 | 32 | 76,110 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 13 | 58,000 | 0 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 2 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Toyota Camry model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Toyota Camry have?
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 1986 Toyota Camry as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Toyota Camry is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 10 complaints (31% of the total), followed by tires with 5.
Has the 1986 Toyota Camry been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Toyota Camry get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Toyota Camry (Camry, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Toyota Camry reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,110 miles and the middle half falls between 120 and 152,100 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.