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1989 Toyota Camry

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 113 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

21 reports
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173,000 miles · Sep 29, 2016
Seat Belts

THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON THIS CAR MOVES IN A TRACK TO GET OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THE DRIVER OPENS THE DOOR, AND TO MOVE TO THE OTHER END OF THE TRACK TO SECURE THE DRIVER WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. IT IS A DUMB DESIGN. THIS CAR IS OLD, AND DESPITE MY MECHANIC'S BEST EFFORTS, THE MOTION TO GET OUT OF THE WAY SOMETIMES HESITATES AND…

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THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON THIS CAR MOVES IN A TRACK TO GET OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THE DRIVER OPENS THE DOOR, AND TO MOVE TO THE OTHER END OF THE TRACK TO SECURE THE DRIVER WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. IT IS A DUMB DESIGN. THIS CAR IS OLD, AND DESPITE MY MECHANIC'S BEST EFFORTS, THE MOTION TO GET OUT OF THE WAY SOMETIMES HESITATES AND THE DRIVER MUST USE HIS HAND TO MOVE THE ANCHOR ALONG IN THE TRACK. I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMEDAY THE ANCHOR WILL FAIL TO MOVE INTO POSITION TO SECURE THE DRIVER PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #10910499

163,000 miles · Mar 2, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsStructure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK LID OPENS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND THE POLLUTION CONTROL DEVICES ARE INOPERABLE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA ODI #10151645

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2001
Seat Belts

THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE WON'T LOCK WHEN YOU PULL ON SEAT BELT,OR SHOULDER RESTRANT. I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON AND WHEN I PULL ON THE WHEN BUCKELED UP IT LOCKS. THERE FOR I FEEL THAT THE RESTRANTS ARE NOT WORKING IN THE 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY. I CALLED TOYOTA 1-800-331-4331 SPOKE TO JOANN 7/12/01 SHE GAV…

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THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE WON'T LOCK WHEN YOU PULL ON SEAT BELT,OR SHOULDER RESTRANT. I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON AND WHEN I PULL ON THE WHEN BUCKELED UP IT LOCKS. THERE FOR I FEEL THAT THE RESTRANTS ARE NOT WORKING IN THE 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY. I CALLED TOYOTA 1-800-331-4331 SPOKE TO JOANN 7/12/01 SHE GAVE ME A CASE # 200107120985. THE GAVE ME PHONE # OF MAROONE TOYOTA TO SPEEK TO CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON TRACY MONTES 954-659-1804. I SPOKE TO TRACY TODAY 7/17/01 AT 07:30 , SHE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE.I TOLD HER THAT YOU HAVE MY YEAR AND MAKE LISTED ON YOUR SITE AS HAVING THIS DEFECT ,SHE TOLD ME THAT YOU CAN'T GO BY THOSE WEB SITES. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE . I TOLD HER THAT I WOULD CHECK FURTHER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE , AND SHOULD FIX THIS DEFECT. I MUST OF HAD THIS PROBLEM ALL ALONG , BUT BECAUSE THEY WERE AUTOMATIC DIDN'T CHECK IT OR WAS MADE AWARE OF HOW TO CHECK THIS BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. I KNOW THIS I A OLDER VEHICLE, BUT THE SEAT BELTS SHOULD WORK. IF THERE IS ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME TO HAVE TOYOTA MAKE ALL THERE VEHICLES SAFE I WOULD APPRECIATE IT .*AK

NHTSA ODI #748590

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Seat Belts

WHILE CLOSING DOOR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT INTO SHOULDER PLACEMENT FOR TRAVELING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880313

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2000
Seat Belts

WATER LEAKS IN THROUGH DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AUTO-TRACK WHEN DRIVING AFTER A RAIN STORM WHILE CAR WAS SITTING. REAR FLOOR IS SOAKED WITH WATER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #731566

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2000
Exterior LightingInterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

THR DASH LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAM ON THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT WORK, THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT WORK, AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE THE CAR WAS AT 64000 MILES AND ITS THAT WAY BEFORE YOU EVEN START THE CAR MOVI…

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THR DASH LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAM ON THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT WORK, THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT WORK, AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE THE CAR WAS AT 64000 MILES AND ITS THAT WAY BEFORE YOU EVEN START THE CAR MOVING,WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, AND AT AT STOPLIGHTS ANY TIME THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON!! W WERE NOTIFIED OF A RECALL ABOUT THE LOCKS AND SATBELTS BUT IT NEVER WENT AWAY AFTER WE TOOK IT TO ABAJIANS FOR REPAIR!! *AK

NHTSA ODI #716757

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1998
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT ALONG THE RAIL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #831797

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1998
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

RECALL 89V17500; WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, LAP SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL TWO TIMES AND SUFFERED INJURIES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF INCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #827930

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 1997
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS DO NOT ENGAGE WHEN PULLED ABRUPTLY. YH

NHTSA ODI #604232

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1997
Seat Belts

THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER HAS NOT TAKEN TO GET FIXED. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #815033

Official recalls

3

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 2, 2016

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

92V135000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 22, 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 OPERATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.

Remedy: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.

89V175000 · Seat Belts:front

Oct 18, 1989

OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.

Remedy: REPLACE LAP BELT WITH A REDESIGNED BELT GUIDE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

7

EA97008 · Leaking Fuel Tank

Opened Apr 23, 1997 · Closed Apr 22, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK

PE97003 · Leaking Fuel Tank

Opened Jan 21, 1997 · Closed Apr 23, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK.

EA92044 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Dec 18, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE92065 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Jul 16, 1992 · Closed Dec 18, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA92013 · Stuck Power Door Locks

Opened May 8, 1992 · Closed May 12, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA90028 · Passive Safety Belt Fails

Opened May 29, 1990 · Closed Feb 28, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

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PE90027 · Passive Safety Belt Warnin

Opened Dec 15, 1989 · Closed May 29, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

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