1987 Toyota Camry V20

Overview

Engines

2.0L four-cylinder

Came as

• Sedan
• Wagon

On record

2 warnings, 3 recalls

What changed for 1987

• New model, a sedan or wagon in base, DX or LE trim. A published reference

Compare 1987 with 1986

Colors

• Gray on Silver Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)20C, 1987
• Beige Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)4H3, 1987
• Brown Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)4H2, 1987
• Silver Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)164, 1987–1988
• Dark Blue on Light Blue Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)21C, 1987–1988

Sources: An owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

• 2.0L four-cylinder Curbside Classic, a published reference

  Twin cam; 115 hp in the All-Trac

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
• Wagon A published reference

Trims

• Base Edmunds, a published reference
• DX Edmunds, a published reference
• LE Edmunds, a published reference

Also in the generation, years not known: Split-folding rear seat Edmunds

Figures for the whole 2nd gen

• Built: Japan, and Georgetown, Kentucky from May 1988. A VIN starting with J is Japanese-built, one starting with 4 US-built A published reference
• Drag coefficient: 0.34 for the sedan A published reference
• V6: Fuel-injected, 24 valves and twin overhead cams A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Leaking fuel tanks All years

  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

  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

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 1987–1990 Recall 92V135000

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

• 1987 Recall 92V025000

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

• 1987–1989 Recall 89V175000

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

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.