IllustrationTHE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLES ENGINE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STALLED WITH LESS THAT 2153 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE ENGINE EVENTUALLY BLEW. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE. PH *NLM
1989 Toyota Celica
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Celica years →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: 0 of 11 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.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
11 reportsTHE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HEATER CONTROL PANEL. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNS THE HEAT ON, IT BLOWS OUT COLD AIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
WHEN DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK, AND THE CONSUMER THINKS THERE IS A LEAKAGE. WHEN APPYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND ENGINE STARTS TO RAN FAS DUE TO THE GAS PEDAL BEING STUCK. *AK
STEEL FUEL LINES FAILED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK ONTO PAVEMENT AND FUMES TO ENTER VEHICLE.
CONSUMER BELIEVES THE BODY AND FRAME DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE CAUSES WATER AND SLUDGE TO BECOME TRAPPED AROUND THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES CAUSING THE LINES TO ROT OUT AND THE BRAKES TO FAIL.
THROTTLE CABLE BINDING, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
SEATBELTCTING SPRING BROKE/BELT NO LONGER RETRACTS. *AK
DOOR LOCK FROZE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, CAUSING IMPROPER BALANCING OF LOCKS/DIFFICULTY OPENING.*SD
CONSUMER PULLED INTO HER DRIVEWAY AND HER NEIGHBOR SAW THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT STATED ELECTRICAL FIRE, TOYOTA HAS NOT SENT ANYONE TO EXAMINE VEHICLE. *SLC
WHEN DRIVING AND THEN TURNING OFF THE CAR. THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART UNLESS THE HOOD IS RAISED FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
2EA92044 · 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