1990 vs 1991 Toyota Camry

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

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

1990

Nothing that 1991 lacks.

1991

Nothing that 1990 lacks.

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

Rare catches

1990

Nothing that 1991 lacks.

1991

Nothing that 1990 lacks.

Both years

  • Rare All-Trac all-wheel drive Drivetrain

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

Recalls

1990

  • 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

1991

  • 93V147000 1991

    A part in the radio can fail and cause a short circuit. NHTSA

What changed between

After 1990, up to and including 1991.

  1. 1991A redesigned front valence. The DX gets color-keyed bumpers and new cloth in place of the tweed, and the DX and LE new hubcaps. A published reference

What it came with

1990

Nothing that 1991 lacks.

1991

Nothing that 1990 lacks.

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
Packages
Anti-lock brakes (1989–1991) A published reference

Colors

1990

  • Silver Metallic 173, 1989–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Sandalwood Metallic 4J8, 1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Mahogany Pearl 4J7, 1989–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Blue Pearl 8E3, 1987–1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1991

  • Silvermist Metallic 176, 1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Almond Beige Pearl 4J1, 1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Metallic 8J3, 1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Gray Metallic 185, 1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black 202, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Red Pearl 3J9, 1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Red Pearl 3J5, 1990–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Ice Blue Metallic 8G2, 1990–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Indigo Blue Metallic 8G5, 1990–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1990

Nothing that 1991 lacks.

1991

Nothing that 1990 lacks.

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