1983 Toyota Camry recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER MALFUNCTION COULD OCCUR UPON SHUTTING OFF THE CONTROL AFTER CONTINUOUS USE FOLLOWED BY COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
What could happen: THERMAL SHOCK TO THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER COULD RESULT IN ENGINE RACING IF THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED WITH THE MAIN CONTROL SWITCH IN THE 'ON' POSITION. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT IF THIS IS PERFORMED IN NORMAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
The fix: REPLACE COMPUTER WITH ONE OF IMPROVED DESIGN.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 CAMRY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V040000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER MALFUNCTION COULD OCCUR UPON SHUTTING OFF THE CONTROL AFTER CONTINUOUS USE FOLLOWED BY COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
Consequence: THERMAL SHOCK TO THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER COULD RESULT IN ENGINE RACING IF THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED WITH THE MAIN CONTROL SWITCH IN THE 'ON' POSITION. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT IF THIS IS PERFORMED IN NORMAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
Remedy: REPLACE COMPUTER WITH ONE OF IMPROVED DESIGN.
Notes: SYSTEM: CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. VOLTAGE REGULATOR WHICH CONTROLS THE AMOUNT OF FLOW IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR, MAY HAVE MANUFACTURING ERRORS IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT. THE REGULATOR MAY OVERCHARGE THE BATTERY.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AT NO CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 CAMRY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V133000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Summary: VOLTAGE REGULATOR WHICH CONTROLS THE AMOUNT OF FLOW IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR, MAY HAVE MANUFACTURING ERRORS IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT. THE REGULATOR MAY OVERCHARGE THE BATTERY.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AT NO CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; VOLTAGE REGULATOR.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: OVERCHARGING CAN DAMAGE THE BATTERY AND MAY RESULT INLOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. LOSS OF LIGHTS AND ENGINE IGNITIONCOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 1983 Toyota Camry owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (2), Child seat (1), Suspension (1), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
04/15/2003 · Child seat
WHILE PLACING THE CHILD INSIDE OF THE CAR SEAT THE RED BUTTON COLLAPSED. AS A RESULT THE CHILD WAS NOT RESTRAINED SECURELY IN THE SEAT. *NLM
03/23/2000 · Suspension
SDT4WEQTW
11/20/1995 · Fuel system · crash
CAR REAR ENDED IN ACCIDENT. GAS TANK WAS RUPTURED. DRIVER FOUND OUT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS VERY RUSTY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
06/22/1995 · Seat belts
LEFT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON DETERIORATED/BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL. *AK
06/13/1995 · Seat belts
THE CAR HAS TAKATA SEATBELTS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVERS BROKE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
05/15/1995 · Electrical system
CONSUMER RECIEVE RECALL ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REGULATOR HAD IT FIX 1987 IS NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH CAR. TT