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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

What owners actually said

113 reports
40,000 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A FRIEND THAT IS A LADY THAT HAD A 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT WOULD REFUSE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL WOULD GET STUCK. I TRIED IT AND SURE ENOUGH IT DID GET STUCK WHEN YOU HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND YOU ACCELERATED. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOT UNSTICK THE PEDAL. I OPENED UP THE HOOD AND THE CHAIN FOR…

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I HAVE A FRIEND THAT IS A LADY THAT HAD A 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT WOULD REFUSE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL WOULD GET STUCK. I TRIED IT AND SURE ENOUGH IT DID GET STUCK WHEN YOU HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND YOU ACCELERATED. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOT UNSTICK THE PEDAL. I OPENED UP THE HOOD AND THE CHAIN FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL THAT PULLED ON THE THROTTLE WOULD GET STUCK ON THE THROTTLE BODY. I DISCONNECTED IT AND AFTER THAT THERE NO MORE PROBLEMS BUT NO CRUISE CONTROL. SHE CAN BE REACHED BY DIALING 209-951-7423 AND ASKING FOR TONI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10323844

188,000 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

1989 RECALL ON TOYOTA CAMRY FOR WELDED DOOR SOLENOID HAS EXPIRED? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? SO WAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO WIITH THE CAR> IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE NOT HAVING BOTH DOORS OPERATIONAL! WHAT IS THE NHTSA FOR? WHAT ARE RECALLS FOR? I GUESS ITS MORE IOMP[ORTANT TO REWARD MIDDLE CLASS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVING…

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1989 RECALL ON TOYOTA CAMRY FOR WELDED DOOR SOLENOID HAS EXPIRED? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? SO WAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO WIITH THE CAR> IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE NOT HAVING BOTH DOORS OPERATIONAL! WHAT IS THE NHTSA FOR? WHAT ARE RECALLS FOR? I GUESS ITS MORE IOMP[ORTANT TO REWARD MIDDLE CLASS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVING GAS GUZZLERS THAN WORKING CLASS PEOPLE TRYING TO SURVIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279474

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 · Jan 24, 2005
Tires

THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE HAD AN AIR POCKET ON THE SIDEWALL, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE, MAKING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR FOR A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10108688

109,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS THAT WERE STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR 1992 RECALL CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, ALL THE DOORS WERE LOCKED EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHICH WAS JIMMIED TO GAIN ENTRANCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073676

198,222 miles · Jan 27, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED WIDE OPEN THROTTLE THAT LED TO A FATAL ACCIDENT. *JB UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/28/10 UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW

NHTSA ODI #10055020

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL NO 92V135000 FOR THE DOOR LOCKS. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK IS FUSED AND DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM IN OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT ALL OTHER DOOR LOCKS ARE NOW FAILING AND ONLY WORK INTERMITTENLY.*JBTHE VEHICLE WAS FIXED…

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CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL NO 92V135000 FOR THE DOOR LOCKS. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK IS FUSED AND DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM IN OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT ALL OTHER DOOR LOCKS ARE NOW FAILING AND ONLY WORK INTERMITTENLY.*JBTHE VEHICLE WAS FIXED PER THE RECALL BUT NOW ALL THE DOORS ARE FAILING. CONSUMER FEELS IF THE DOORS HAD BEEN PROPERLY FIXED AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL THEY WOULDN'T BE FAILING TODAY. ONE OF THE DOORS IS PERMANENTLY SHUT. CONSUMER HAS NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8018016

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT 25 MPH VEHICLE SHUTOFF, THERE WAS NO WARNING. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011705

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR POWER LOCK HAS COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF DOWN, DOOR DID NOT OPEN AT ALL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED, CONSUMER CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS REGARDING THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER REFUSED TO FIX RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V135000 REPAIRS STATING THAT …

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FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR POWER LOCK HAS COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF DOWN, DOOR DID NOT OPEN AT ALL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED, CONSUMER CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS REGARDING THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER REFUSED TO FIX RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V135000 REPAIRS STATING THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON A RECALL REPAIR. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8009617

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #565188

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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