Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
113
Latest Jul 17, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
17
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 9, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 113 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Toyota Camry. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 113 · page 1 of 5
Electrical
Filed Jul 17, 2023
Fire reported
The contact owns a 1989 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and his wife noticed smoke coming from under the driver's side of the hood. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that when he opened the hood, he noticed that the battery had caught on fire and the fire was expanding. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. The vehicle was then pushed to the side of the road. There was no injury sustained. There was no police report filed. There was no fire department report filed. The contact stated that the battery was a 24 months Group 25-24 battery, made by Battery Energy Group, and purchased on February 15, 2022. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
NHTSA ID
11532767
Incident
Jul 1, 2023
Mileage
144,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 25, 2019
PASSENGERS DOOR WILL MOT UNLOCK. EITHER BY ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK OR BY PULLING UP THE UNLOCK BOTTON. 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY RECALL - #92V135000 RECALL FOR LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES : DOORS : LATCH 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.
NHTSA ID
11191391
Incident
Mar 19, 2019
Mileage
198,315 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2018
GOT EMAIL SAYING 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY ON RECALL LIST BECAUSE OF ENGINE PISTON PROBLEMS
NHTSA ID
11082257
Incident
Mar 30, 2018
Mileage
260,000 mi
Filed Nov 14, 2017
CAR STALLS WHILE EITHER GOING DOWN THE STREET, OR AT A STOPLIGHT. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL GET REAR-ENDED. AND, ALSO EMBARRASSING AND FRUSTRATING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1989 NEW. IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. IT IS ALWAYS WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE WET/DAMP. I CAN FEEL IT START "MISSING" AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE CITY STREET. SOMETIMES, I HAVE TO GO TO A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD AND KEEP DRIVING AROUND AND CHUGGING AROUND. IT STOPS, I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TRY TO START IT SEVERAL TIMES, AND GO, AND IT DIES. ATFER I DO THIS FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, THEN PARK IT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR TWO, IT WILL USUALLY START, AND GO OK. NEVER HAPPENS IN DRY WEATHER. I THINK IN THE FIRST YEAR OR 2 OF OWNING IT, I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES. FINALLY THEY CHANGED THE "COMPUTER" OR SOMETHING. BUT, SADLY THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW, AND IT JUST DID IT A COUPLE DAYS AGO AFTER A WET WARM SNOW STORM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR DOES THIS. BUT IT IS SCARY WHEN I AM AMIDST TRAFFIC, AND IT CUT OUT AND STALLS. MY CAR HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT. I EVEN HAD RECENT ENGINE WORK, AND IT STILL ACTS THE SAME WAY. I DON'T HAVE REPAIR INVOICES, BUT ALWAYS HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER HERE IN BILLINGS, MT.
NHTSA ID
11045960
Incident
Feb 22, 1999
Mileage
1,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Sep 29, 2016
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 ID
10910499
Incident
Sep 28, 2016
Mileage
173,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 19, 2014
I BOUGHT A 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT NOW HAS 250,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. I DID NOT SEE THIS YEAR LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST. YOU REALLY HAVE TO PUSH HARD ON IT WHEN YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE. WAS THIS PARTICULAR YEAR RECALLED? I'M ALSO HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW POWER SWITCH YOU HAVE TO SQUEEZE THE WHOLE PLASTIC PIECE TO GET IT TO WORK, AND WHAT ABOUT THE AIRBAGS? I REALIZE THE CAR IS OLD BUT I'VE HEARD THAT TOYOTA'S RUN FOREVER AND MECHANICALLY IT'S BEEN GREAT SO FAR (EXCEPT FOR A LITTLE RUST). PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT THESE ISSUES ASAP.......THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10659447
Incident
Sep 12, 2011
Mileage
235,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Oct 7, 2014
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 ID
10643066
Incident
Oct 4, 2014
Mileage
103,002 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 19, 2014
AUTOMATIC LOCKS LOCK DOWN, CANNOT OPEN CAR. *JS
NHTSA ID
10592605
Incident
May 17, 2014
Mileage
40,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 19, 2013
I HAVE A 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY AND I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL(92V135000) ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY WITH THE LATCHES AND LOCKS WELL I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MAINTENANCE WAS ALREADY DONE ON THE CAR BUT NOW I HAVE BOTH BACK DOORS THAT WONT OPEN AT ALL, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE CAUSE OF IT I WAS WONDERING IF THE DEALER CAN FIX IT AGAIN DUE TO THE SAME ERROR ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10520730
Incident
Jun 19, 2013
Airbags
Filed Aug 10, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, SHE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
NHTSA ID
10418432
Incident
Jul 8, 2011
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 5, 2010
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 ID
10323844
Incident
Jun 15, 1996
Mileage
40,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 5, 2009
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 ID
10279474
Incident
Aug 4, 2009
Mileage
188,000 mi
Body & structureEngineSeat belts
Filed Mar 2, 2006
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 ID
10151645
Incident
Mar 2, 2006
Mileage
163,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 24, 2005
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 ID
10108688
Incident
Apr 5, 2004
Interior & seats
Filed May 14, 2004
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 ID
10073676
Mileage
109,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 27, 2004
Crash reported1 death reported
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 ID
10055020
Incident
Dec 25, 2003
Mileage
198,222 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 5, 2002
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 ID
8018016
Incident
Sep 1, 2002
Engine
Filed Jun 13, 2002
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 ID
8011705
Incident
Jun 13, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed May 10, 2002
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 ID
8009617
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2002
THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. *YH
NHTSA ID
565188
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 2, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING FRONT PASSENGER'S TIRE FELL OF RIM. *AK *JB
NHTSA ID
8006807
Incident
Mar 27, 2002
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THERE WERE NONE. IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE HAND BRAKE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
894555
Incident
Aug 7, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 8, 2001
DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. SOMETIMES WHEN PUSHING UNLOCKED BUTTON DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK ALL THE TIME. *AK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON DOES NOT WORK, PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME, ALL DOORS MUST BE OPENED FROM DRIVER SIDE MAIN UNLOCK BUTTONS FOR ALL DOORS. *SLC
NHTSA ID
893801
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Jul 17, 2001
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 ID
748590
Incident
Jul 10, 2001
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Feb 24, 2001
MY CAR ALSO HAS SOME WEIRD ELECTIRCAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS AND LIGHTS.*AK
NHTSA ID
741431
Incident
Jul 24, 2000
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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