Model year record

1994 Toyota Camry recalls & problems

The 1994 Toyota Camry has 3 safety recalls and 287 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (53 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints287filed by owners

Crashes · fires56 · 10reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths48 · 8reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

SteeringJul 8, 1998

Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 98V155000104,928 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT IN JAPAN. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Risk: THE NUT CAN EVENTUALLY COME OFF ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE STEERING SET NUT.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Toyota Camry 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Camry

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Camry

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Camry Wagon

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Camry

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Camry Wagon

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	53	41	0	36	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	43	10	0	7	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	43	1	4	1	81,598 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Gear box › Shaft sector	35	2	0	1	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	30	12	2	9	107,077 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition › Switch	24	0	5	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Constant velocity joint	21	2	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	17	1	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Macpherson strut	17	1	0	1	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members	16	1	0	3	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	13	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt; Temporary/emergency spare tire	11	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO STEVENS CREEK TOYOTA (4202 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129, (408) 984-1234) TO INQUIRE ABOUT AN OWNER'S MANUAL CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V188000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL WAS STILL IN PRODUCTION. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL, BUT THEN CALLED BACK TO INDICATE THAT AN OWNER'S MANUAL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO ALTERNATIVE OPTION FOR HOW TO ACCESS THE INFORMATION, WHEN NEEDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Aug 6, 1998
Service brakesCrash2 injuries
"TAKATA RECALL" MY BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A DIRT ROAD TO GET HOME. INSTEAD I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A DITCH. MY AIRBAGS INFLATED. NOW MY MUFFLER SOUNDS LIKE ITS RATTLED AND A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE ALWAYS OCCUR WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE DUE TO THE CRASH. ONLY INTERNAL AND PRIOR TO THIS, MY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME OFF AND ON. I WAS TOLD THAT IT JUST MEANT THAT MY BRAKE SENSOR HAD A GLITCH. OTHER THAN THAT MY BREAKS WORKED JUST FINE WITH NO WARNING SIGNS OF THEM GOING OUT SOONER.
Oct 20, 2017
Vehicle speed controlCrash
I WAS SLOWLY TURNING TO THE RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPACE AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A TREE THERE TO STOP THE CAR. IN THE PREVIOUS MONTHS, SEVERAL OF THE PANEL WARNING LIGHTS HAD BEEN COMING ON AND OFF. I HAD TOYOTA CHECK THEM. THEY REPLACED THE EGR VALVE BUT IT KEPT HAPPENING SO I TOOK IT BACK. THEY SAID THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATING, BUT IT MIGHT HAVE.
Oct 15, 2016 · 240,600 miles
Vehicle speed controlFire
ON 4/5/16, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RIGHT LANE GOING STRAIGHT, I PUT CRUISE CONTROL ON AND IT WAS WORKING OKAY FOR APPROX 15 MINUTES. CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP TO 80 AND WENT UP IN FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD WITHIN MINUTES. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR UNHARMED BUT IT IS A TOTAL LOSS.
Apr 5, 2016 · 275,000 miles
Air bags
1994 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAG INSTALLATION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB
Oct 1, 2014
Air bagsCrash1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND FLIPPED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD, SHOULDER, AND SPINAL INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Feb 26, 2015
Fuel/propulsion systemCrash1 injury
PRESS GAS PEDAL IT JAM CAR SUDDEN ACCELERATION JUMP UP TO 65 MPH. MAKING CAR SIDE HIT OTHER CAR AND THEN CRASH INTO GARAGE. CAR IS TOTAL DESTROY, WALK AWAY FROM ACCIDENT, BUT WITH INJURY AT FACE, NECK, SHOULDER AND BACK. LITE INJURY TO CHEST AND LEG/KNEECAP. *TR
Aug 16, 2014
Service brakes
AT NOON ON 6/11/12, I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT MY CAR'S GEARSHIFT OUT OF PARK. I REMOVED THE TAB THAT COVERS THE GEARSHIFT RELEASE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT PANEL AND UNLOCKED THE SHIFTER. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO MECHANICSVILLE TOYOTA (MECHANICSVILLE, VA) AND HAD THE PROBLEM ASSESSED BY THE SERVICE PERSON, [XXX]. SHE SAID SHE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THE CHANCES WERE PRETTY HIGH THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH (ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL) WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE SAID THAT CAUSES THE GEARSHIFT TO LOCK UP AND FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. INDEED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AT THAT TIME. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART (BRAKE…
Jun 11, 2012 · 183,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION/DISENGAGEMENTClosedLed to recall 98V155000
BY LETTER DATED JULY 8, 1998, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED NHTSA OF IT DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 105,000 OF THE SUBJECT 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES BUILT IN JAPAN.THIS SAFETY RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ESTIMATED 218,000 SIMILAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES.NHTSA HAS DESIGNATED THIS RECALL ACTION AS CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V-155.A COPY OF THE MANUFACTURER'S LETTER TO NHTSA REGARDING THIS ACTION IS ATTACHED.
EA97014 · opened Jun 3, 1997 · closed Jul 14, 1998
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION/DISENGAGEMENTClosed
FURTHER INFORMATION AND DATA ARE REQUIRED TO FULLY ASSESS THIS ISSUE.OF SPECIFIC AND IMMEDIATE CONCERN ARE MANUFACTURING/ASSEMBLY/QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES EMPLOYED TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME STEERING COMPONENTS.FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE, THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
PE97004 · opened Jan 29, 1997 · closed Jun 3, 1997