1986 vs 1987 Toyota Camry

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

1986

Nothing that 1987 lacks.

1987

  • Leaking fuel tanks All years

    What to check: Smell for fuel around the car and look at the tank's seams and straps from underneath for wet spots or rust.

    SlashGear lists fuel tank leaks among the NHTSA investigations of the 1987–1991 Camrys. One All-Trac owner in Curbside Classic's comments reports a leaking tank and says no replacement tanks are to be had.

    SlashGear, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Seat belts that stick or lock All years

    What to check: Pull each belt out and let it wind back, and buckle and release the lap belts. Ask a Toyota dealer whether recall 89V175000 was done, and on a 1987 recall 92V025000 for the motorized belts.

    SlashGear lists sticky and jammed seat belts among the NHTSA investigations of these years. Recall 89V175000 covered 1987–1989 lap belts whose retractor could lock in the stowed position.

    NHTSA, SlashGear

Recalls

1986

Nothing that 1987 lacks.

1987

  • 89V175000 1987–1989

    Releasing the lap belt a certain way can lock the retractor with the belt stowed. NHTSA

  • 92V025000 1987

    A spill in the console can reach the motorized seat belt computer and stop the belts moving. NHTSA

  • 92V135000 1987–1990

    The power door lock computer can fail with its contacts welded, so the doors may not lock or unlock, even by hand. NHTSA

What changed between

After 1986, up to and including 1987.

  1. 19872nd gen begins.
  2. 1987New model, a sedan or wagon in base, DX or LE trim. A published reference

What it came with

1986

Engines
2.0L turbo diesel (1986) A published reference
Body styles
Liftback A published reference

1987

Body styles
Wagon A published reference
Trims
Base Edmunds, a published reference

Both years

Engines
2.0L four-cylinder Curbside Classic, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual Curbside Classic, a published reference, 4-speed automatic Curbside Classic, a published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Sedan A published reference
Trims
DX Edmunds, a published reference, LE Edmunds, a published reference

Colors

1986

  • White 041, 1985–1986 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Gray Metallic 157, 1986 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Brown on Beige Metallic 2Z1, 1986 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Red 3F1, 1985–1986 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Blue on Light Blue Metallic 2Y9, 1986 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Metallic 8D4, 1986 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1987

  • Super White 040 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver Metallic 164, 1987–1988 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Gray on Silver Metallic 20C, 1987 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Gray Metallic 167, 1987–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Brown Metallic 4H2, 1987 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Red Pearl 3H3, 1987–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Blue on Light Blue Metallic 21C, 1987–1988 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Blue Pearl 8E3, 1987–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Beige Metallic 4H3, 1987 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Blue Metallic 8D8, 1987–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1986

Nothing that 1987 lacks.

1987

  • Watch for: 1987 Less sought after One source so far

    SlashGear says the 1987 drew more NHTSA investigations than any other Camry year, ten, over under-dash fires, fuel tank leaks, stuck throttles and jammed seat belts. It counts the 1987 with the 1st gen. SlashGear