1988 vs 1989 Toyota Camry

Both years

• 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

Both years

• Rare All-Trac all-wheel drive Drivetrain

  Four model years, sedan only; Toyota expected 5% of Camry sales Curbside Classic

Both years

• 89V175000 1987–1989

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

Both years

Engines

2.0L four-cylinder Curbside Classic, a published reference, 2.5L V6 (1988–1991) 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, All-Trac all-wheel drive (1988–1991) Curbside Classic, 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

Both years

• Super White 040 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Silver Metallic 173, 1989–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Gray Metallic 167, 1987–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Black 202, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Medium Red Pearl 3H4, 1988–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Dark Red Pearl 3H3, 1987–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Dark Blue Pearl 8E3, 1987–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Light Blue Metallic 8D8, 1987–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

• Sought after: An All-Trac for snow 1988–1991

  Owners in the comments under Curbside Classic's All-Trac piece, an unofficial source: of seven commenters who owned, drove or want one, three praise it in snow or its center differential lock, one of them with a car that reached 399,000 miles. Curbside Classic, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Watch for: The 1988–1991 cars Less sought after One source so far

  SlashGear ranks these years fourth worst of the Camry's generations. Each drew more NHTSA investigations than any Camry year but the 1987, over fuel tank leaks, stuck throttles, sticky seat belts and engine-bay fires, though few complaints are logged. SlashGear