RoadVitals

1989 Toyota Celica

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
11
Latest Mar 26, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 11, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Toyota Celica, most frequently naming the fuel system, driver assistance and visibility categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 19 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system423.5%
  • Driver assistance317.6%
  • Visibility317.6%
  • Electrical211.8%
  • Brakes211.8%
  • Engine15.9%
  • Interior & seats15.9%
  • Seat belts15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10E002000

SUSPENSION

Feb 11, 2010
12,657 units potentially affected
The defect: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
The risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
RIDE CONTROL, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92044ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Dec 18, 1992
Closed Jan 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE92065ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Jul 16, 1992
Closed Dec 18, 1992

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
Engine
Filed Mar 26, 2003

THE 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

NHTSA ID
10011473
Visibility
Filed Nov 13, 1998

THE 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

NHTSA ID
830755
Incident
Apr 4, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 27, 1998

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

NHTSA ID
829601
Incident
Aug 2, 1998
BrakesFuel system
Filed Nov 14, 1997

STEEL FUEL LINES FAILED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK ONTO PAVEMENT AND FUMES TO ENTER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
605622
Incident
Sep 13, 1997
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 23, 1997

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.

NHTSA ID
523778
Driver assistanceVisibility
Filed Dec 30, 1996

THROTTLE CABLE BINDING, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
513314
Incident
Nov 24, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Jun 26, 1996

SEATBELTCTING SPRING BROKE/BELT NO LONGER RETRACTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
505701
Incident
May 1, 1994
Fuel systemInterior & seats
Filed Mar 7, 1996

DOOR LOCK FROZE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, CAUSING IMPROPER BALANCING OF LOCKS/DIFFICULTY OPENING.*SD

NHTSA ID
502320
Incident
Dec 1, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB003220

AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

Toyota PRO19-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

T-SB-0032-20 Rev

EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

T-SB-0304-17 Obs

EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

T-SB-0032-20

EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

PG006-01-Obsolet

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Celica by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006000—
2005410—
2004400—
2003171040.2
2002291052.3
2001471045.5
20001063158.8
1999101135.7
1998511—
1997801—
1996911—
1995220046.0
1994140046.6
1993131038.6
1992211054.0
1991271053.2
1990292060.4
1989Viewing111246.9
1988612—
1987512—
1986910—
1985700—
1984300—
1983300—
1982411—
1981000—
1980210—
1979100—
1978100—
1977100—
1976000—
1975000—
1974100—
1973010—
1972010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.