ToyotaCamry1987Overview/toyota/camry/1987/base/

1987 Toyota Camry

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 Camry.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1987 Toyota Camry is a front‑wheel‑drive sedan that calls for 3.9 qt of engine oil, with acceptable viscosities of 15W‑40, 20W‑40 or 20W‑50 API SL, and is mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. Reliability data for this model year show a total of 68 owner complaints, with seat‑belt issues leading the list and three recalls recorded, figures that sit far below the model’s later peak of 3,613 complaints in 2007 and are closer to the low of 11 complaints seen in 2014, underscoring the 1987 Camry’s comparatively trouble‑free place in the nameplate’s history.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020191987

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 API SLOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight2712 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 28 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Camry of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.20 sec — 1987 Deluxe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1987Deluxe 2.0L I-49.20 sec17.00 sec92 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 15W-40 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 API SL engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine OilABOVE 10 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity3.9 qt
Transfer Case FluidDEXRON
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity3.4 Pints
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity3.4 Pints

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the 1987 model year, seat‑belt related complaints accounted for 23 of the reported issues, the largest single category, with fuel‑system complaints at 11, electrical system at 7, and engine‑cooling at 5; additionally, two crash‑related complaints and six fire‑related complaints were logged. Comparing this to the immediate federal records, 1990 recorded 148 total complaints and 1991 recorded 172, while 1992 surged to 612, indicating that the 1987 model precedes the sharp rise in complaints seen in the early 1990s. The complaint trajectory shows a steady increase from 1990 through 1992, followed by a gradual decline, placing 1987 in the lower‑volume segment of the generation. The data does not specify a root cause for any of these complaints. Overall, the 1987 model appears to be a good year to buy.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
17
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
10
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
68
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 6 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 68 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts23
Fuel System, Gasoline11
Electrical System7
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Vehicle Speed Control4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Structure3
Exterior Lighting2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

92V135000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 22/09/1992

THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM CAN FAIL, CAUSING THE CONTACTS TO "WELD", AND RESULTING IN DOOR LOCK SOLENOID DAMAGE, WITH FAILURE OF THE DOOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, EVEN UNDER MANUAL… Remedy: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.

92V025000Seat BeltsReported 28/02/1992

LIQUID SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE AREA CAN PENETRATE TO THE HOUSING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS. LIQUID CONTAMINATION OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE UNIT… Remedy: INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY BELT SYSTEM.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 17 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
T-SB-0032-20 Rev2021-02-03EquipmentTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
T-SB-0304-17 Obs2020-04-07EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…
T-SB-0032-202020-04-06EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Camry. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1987 Camry take?

3.9 qt of ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40, 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SL, ABOVE -10 degrees F 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SL, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 Camry have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Camry get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.