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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.

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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

Structure complaints

10 reports
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103,002 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

1989 TOYOTA CAMRY'S DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCKS STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE FROM FRONT SEATS. UNABLE TO UNLOCK FRONT DOORS MANUALLY FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. UNABLE TO UNLOCK FRONT DOORS USING KEY FROM OUTSIDE VEHICLE. SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH INCONVENIENCE WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING VEHICLE…

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1989 TOYOTA CAMRY'S DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCKS STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE FROM FRONT SEATS. UNABLE TO UNLOCK FRONT DOORS MANUALLY FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. UNABLE TO UNLOCK FRONT DOORS USING KEY FROM OUTSIDE VEHICLE. SAFETY ISSUE ALONG WITH INCONVENIENCE WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING VEHICLE FROM REAR DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643066

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 · Feb 24, 2001
Electrical SystemStructure

MY CAR ALSO HAS SOME WEIRD ELECTIRCAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS AND LIGHTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741431

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2001
StructureVisibility

POWER DOOR LOCK IN DRIVER CONTROL PANEL FAILS TO RESPOND. AFTER THE DOOR HAS BEEN LOCKED, IT WILL NOT RESPOND TO UNLOCKING BY POWER CONTROL, NOR CAN THE DOOR BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IS BY OPENING THE POWER WINDOW AND USING THE HANDLE LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE PASSENGER …

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POWER DOOR LOCK IN DRIVER CONTROL PANEL FAILS TO RESPOND. AFTER THE DOOR HAS BEEN LOCKED, IT WILL NOT RESPOND TO UNLOCKING BY POWER CONTROL, NOR CAN THE DOOR BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IS BY OPENING THE POWER WINDOW AND USING THE HANDLE LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW STICKS IN THE UP OR DOWN POSITION AND DOES NOT RESPOND OR RESPONDS POOR AND/OR SLUGGISHLY TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL PANEL LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #739983

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2000
Structure

PASSENGER FRONT DOOR POWER LOCK FUSED SHUT. DEALER IN SHAWNEE, KS CLAIMED THAT CAMPAGIN NUMBER 92V135000 WAS PERFOMED AT ROCHESTER NY DEALER IN 1994. TOYOTA AUTHORIZED DEALER TO CHECK RELAY TO SEE IF CAMPAIGN WAS PERFORMED. INSPECTION AT DEALER CONFIRMS RELAY INSTALLED, BUT DOOR IS STILL FUSED SHUT AND DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR …

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PASSENGER FRONT DOOR POWER LOCK FUSED SHUT. DEALER IN SHAWNEE, KS CLAIMED THAT CAMPAGIN NUMBER 92V135000 WAS PERFOMED AT ROCHESTER NY DEALER IN 1994. TOYOTA AUTHORIZED DEALER TO CHECK RELAY TO SEE IF CAMPAIGN WAS PERFORMED. INSPECTION AT DEALER CONFIRMS RELAY INSTALLED, BUT DOOR IS STILL FUSED SHUT AND DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR AS PART OF THE ORIGNAL CAMPAIGN (THEY ALSO WON'T OFFER TO DISABLE THE DOOR LOCK SOLENOID). FROM LOOKING AT CONSUMER COMMENTS AT NHTSA THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE EVEN THOUGH CAPAING WAS PROBABLY PERFORMED! *AK

NHTSA ODI #731552

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 1997
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING GAS TO LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #525294

Mileage unknown · May 9, 1997
StructureWheels

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR HINGE RUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #517114

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1996
Structure

THE ELECTRIC LOCKS ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS DO NOT WORK, HAVE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MANUALLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL

NHTSA ODI #803844

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1996
Structure

POWER DOOR LOCKS INOPERATIVE. *SD

NHTSA ODI #502663

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1995
Structure

WHILE HOOD FLEW OPEN, CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE HOOD. TT

NHTSA ODI #977116

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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