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1989 Toyota Tercel

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
22Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
6
198613
19878
198822
198919
199017
199124
1992
Compare all Tercel years →

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

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
8Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Structure
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Latches/locks/linkages
2
All reported categories
Visibility
2Electrical System
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Other
1Power Train
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Suspension
1Tires
1

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 22 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 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

WHILE PUSHING ON BRAKES, VEHICLE DOES NOT MAKE A COMPLETE STOP, INSTEAD BRAKE PEDAL WILL TOUCH THE GROUND, RESULTING IN USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE MASTER CYLINDER IS OUT. DRUMS WERE TURNED BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO THIN. THE FRONT AXLE IS LEAKING BAD. GOODYEAR TIRES ARE BAD, P155/80R1…

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WHILE PUSHING ON BRAKES, VEHICLE DOES NOT MAKE A COMPLETE STOP, INSTEAD BRAKE PEDAL WILL TOUCH THE GROUND, RESULTING IN USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE MASTER CYLINDER IS OUT. DRUMS WERE TURNED BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO THIN. THE FRONT AXLE IS LEAKING BAD. GOODYEAR TIRES ARE BAD, P155/80R13, DOT NUMBER MDE4E70119. INSIDE THE VEHICLE THERE IS A FUEL ODOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #8003215

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

IT HAPPENED ALL OF SUDDEN IN THE MORNINGS WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE. IT WILL START SHAKING, AS TIME PROGRESSED IT WILL GET WORSE. CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS INTERNAL IN THE CARBURETOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #853025

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AMONG SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA AND AMONG MECHANICS. WE WERE TOLD THE CARBURETOR IS UNREPAIRABLE. WE COULD PURCHASE A NEW CARBURETOR, ONLY TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH STALLING AND EVENTUAL FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF D…

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THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AMONG SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA AND AMONG MECHANICS. WE WERE TOLD THE CARBURETOR IS UNREPAIRABLE. WE COULD PURCHASE A NEW CARBURETOR, ONLY TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH STALLING AND EVENTUAL FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPAIRING THE FUELING SYSTEM AND CARBURETOR. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WE HAVE PURCHASED "THE WORST CAR TOYOTA EVER MADE" WITH A DEFECTIVE CARBURETOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714887

Mileage unknown · May 28, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CARBURETOR FAILED RESULTING IN DANGEROUS ACCELERATION, NO POWER, HESITATION, AND STALLING.

NHTSA ODI #517548

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

CARBURETOR FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #511216

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC DUE TO DEFECTIVE CARBURETOR. TT

NHTSA ODI #975023

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CARBURETORS DO NOT WORK RIGHT WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE, CAR CUTS OFF ON ITS SECOND CARBURETOR, DEALER SAID THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM . TT *SLC

NHTSA ODI #973280

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

CARBURATOR CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AND THEN THE CAR TAKES OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI #958984

Official recalls

1

92V111000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Jul 13, 1992

THERE CAN BE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING IF HEADLAMP BULBS ARE REPLACED WITH ANY BRAND OTHER THAN KOITO BRAND BULBS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING CAUSED BYOTHER THAN KOITO BRAND LAMP BULBS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, "LAMPS,REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Remedy: TOYOTA DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW KOITO BRAND BULB WITH NO CHARGE IF A NON-KOITO BRAND BULB IS NOW INSTALLED, OR SHOULD A HEADLAMP BULB BURN OUT IN THE FUTURE. "CAUTION LABELS" WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON EACH HEADLAMP HOUSING.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.