1989 Toyota Celica 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 Celica, 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
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
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
THROTTLE CABLE BINDING, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR LOCK FROZE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, CAUSING IMPROPER BALANCING OF LOCKS/DIFFICULTY OPENING.*SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEATBELTCTING SPRING BROKE/BELT NO LONGER RETRACTS. *AK
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 .