1991 vs 1992 Toyota Camry

1991

• 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

1992

• Oil leaks All years One source so far

  What to check: Look under the car and around the engine for oil, and ask what has been resealed.

  In the comments under Curbside Classic's 1992–1996 article, an unofficial source, two owners of wagons report oil leaks and a third an oil leak with timing belt and check-engine light work; ten of the 38 owners report a problem of some kind, among them engine mount failure and a failed 2.2L.

  Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Worn CV joints and boots All years

  What to check: Look at the drive shaft boots for tears and thrown grease, and listen for clicking on full-lock turns.

  Jalopnik's writer needed new CV joints on a 1996, and a commenter under Curbside Classic's article reports a torn CV boot.

  Jalopnik, owners' reports (unofficial)

1991

• Rare All-Trac all-wheel drive Drivetrain

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

1992

Nothing that 1991 lacks.

1991

• 93V147000 1991

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

1992

Nothing that 1991 lacks.

1991

Engines

2.0L four-cylinder Curbside Classic, a published reference, 2.5L V6 (1988–1991) A published reference

Transmissions

4-speed automatic Curbside Classic, a published reference

Drivetrains

All-Trac all-wheel drive (1988–1991) Curbside Classic, a published reference

Trims

Base Edmunds, a published reference

1992

Engines

2.2L four-cylinder A published reference, 3.0L V6 (1992–1993) A published reference

Transmissions

Automatic Edmunds, a published reference

Trims

XLE Toyota, a published reference, SE Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

Leather seats Toyota, Edmunds, Third-row seat A published reference

1991

• Gray Metallic 185, 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)
• Blue Metallic 8J3, 1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1992

• Silver Taupe Metallic 923 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Wineberry Pearl 3K2, 1992–1993 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Dark Emerald Pearl 6M1, 1992–1995 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Ice Blue Pearl 8G2, 1992 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Frosted Sapphire Pearl 8J4, 1992–1993 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

1991

• 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

1992

• Sought after: The 1996, and the V6 All years

  Jalopnik calls this the best Camry ever, tough and roomy, with about 190 hp in the V6. Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, suggests the 1996 may be the best Camry of all, and singles out the V6, the wagon, the 1994 coupe and the rare 1995–1996 V6 XLE with leather. Jalopnik, Curbside Classic

• Sought after: Long-lived, by owners' accounts All years One source so far

  Owners in the comments under Curbside Classic's 1992–1996 article, an unofficial source: of 38 commenters who owned one, 22 praise how long theirs lasted, with cars past 390,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Watch for: A bare base car All years Less sought after One source so far

  Jalopnik calls the base model sparsely equipped, with little more than seats, air conditioning and a cassette player. Jalopnik