1st gen Toyota Camry 1983–1986 V10

Overview

Engines

2.0L four-cylinder, 1.8L turbo diesel, 2.0L turbo diesel

Came as

• Sedan
• Liftback

On record

0 warnings, 2 recalls

The story

Development began in August 1977, after the first oil crisis, when carmakers were turning to smaller, lighter front-drive cars. Toyota meant the Camry to replace the rear-drive Corona in many export markets, with a wheelbase 5.9 inches longer than the Accord's. A published reference

Exports began in January 1983, and by 1985 Toyota had sold 128,000 in the US. The 1983 and 1984 cars wore the quad headlamps US rules called for; a facelift for 1985 brought one-piece lamps. A published reference

Colors

• Ash Gray Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)145, 1983
• Medium Gray Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)157, 1986
• Light Beige Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)4D2, 1985
• Beige Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)4E6, 1986
• Brown Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)4E5, 1985

Sources: An owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Engines

• 2.0L four-cylinder 2S-ELC A published reference

  92 hp, about 3 hp more for 1986

• 1.8L turbo diesel 1C-TLC A published reference

  73 hp, DX only · 1984–1985

• 2.0L turbo diesel 2C-TLC A published reference

  79 hp, automatic only · 1986

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual A published reference
• 4-speed automatic A published reference

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Body styles

• Sedan A published reference
• Liftback A published reference

Trims

• DX A published reference
• LE A published reference

Packages

• Electronic instrument cluster (years not known) A published reference
• Anti-theft alarm (years not known) A published reference

Figures

• Model codes: SV10, SV11 and SV12 with gas engines; CV10 and CV11 diesels A published reference
• Layout: Toyota's first front-wheel-drive car with a transverse engine A published reference
• Wheelbase: 102.4 in A published reference
• Drag coefficient: 0.38 for the sedan, 0.36 for the liftback A published reference
• Brakes: Vented front discs, rear drums, and a chime for worn pads A published reference

Years and what changed

1. 1983

   New model, a sedan or liftback with a 92 hp 2.0L four and a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic, in DX or LE trim. A published reference

2. 1984

   An overdrive lockout switch for the automatic, and an optional 73 hp 1.8L turbo diesel for the DX, manual only. A published reference

3. 1985
   Refresh

   Facelift with one-piece headlamps. The cruise control switches move to the wiper stalk, the DX gets wider tires and a tilt wheel, gas front shocks and stiffer rear springs arrive, an alarm becomes optional, the diesel can have an automatic, and the LE offers an electronic instrument cluster. A published reference

4. 1986

   A 79 hp 2.0L turbo diesel, automatic only, replaces the 1.8L on the DX and LE. The gas engine gains about 3 hp, the power brakes are revised, and the LE gets new cloth. A published reference

Watch out

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

No warning is written up yet. That means none is recorded, not that there are none.

Recalls

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

• 1983–1984 Recall 90V040000

  The cruise control computer can malfunction when switched off after long use followed by cold weather. NHTSA

• 1983–1984 Recall 83V133000

  The voltage regulator may overcharge the battery. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

No source singles out a year, for good or bad.

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.