1989 Toyota Camry Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Toyota Camry, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Seat belts2116.2%
- Interior & seats1713.1%
- Fuel system1612.3%
- Driver assistance1612.3%
- Electrical118.5%
- Body & structure107.7%
- Engine86.2%
- Brakes86.2%
- Transmission64.6%
- Tires & wheels43.1%
- Exterior lighting32.3%
- Other / unspecified32.3%
- Visibility21.5%
- Suspension21.5%
- Airbags21.5%
- Steering10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
AUTOMATIC LOCKS LOCK DOWN, CANNOT OPEN CAR. *JS
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING GAS TO LEAK.
FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN MORE THAN 1/2 FULL, EMITTING AN ODOR. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
GOT EMAIL SAYING 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY ON RECALL LIST BECAUSE OF ENGINE PISTON PROBLEMS
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.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES DON'T GRAB. WHEN IT RAINS THE BRAKES LOCK UP. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
BUTTON TO DISENGAGE GEAR SHIFT IS BROKEN INSIDE GEAR SHIFT.
OVER-DRIVE CLUTCHES FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE KUMHO STEEL BELTED RADIAL 771 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE TO NOT RESPOND WELL AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO SLIDE THROUGH INTERSECTIONS AND SPIN EXCESSIVELY. *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THR DASH LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAM ON THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT WORK, THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT WORK, AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE THE CAR WAS AT 64000 MILES AND ITS THAT WAY BEFORE YOU EVEN START THE CAR MOVING,WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, AND AT AT STOPLIGHTS ANY TIME THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON!! W WERE NOTIFIED OF A RECALL ABOUT THE LOCKS AND SATBELTS BUT IT NEVER WENT AWAY AFTER WE TOOK IT TO ABAJIANS FOR REPAIR!! *AK
TAIL LIGHT WILL NOT FUNCTION DUE TO CIRCUIT FAILURE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING FRONT PASSENGER'S TIRE FELL OF RIM. *AK *JB
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR HINGE RUSTED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT CAME APART CAUSING ACCIDENT.
BRAKES FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL HAS LOUD SQUEAKING/SCRAPING SOUNDING NOISE WHEN TURNING, AFTER SITTING LONG PERIODS OF TIME IN HOT SUN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .