RoadVitals

1990 Toyota Pickup Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
25
Latest May 28, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Toyota Pickup, 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

  • Engine933.3%
  • Seat belts311.1%
  • Steering311.1%
  • Tires & wheels311.1%
  • Electrical311.1%
  • Body & structure13.7%
  • Visibility13.7%
  • Brakes13.7%
  • Driver assistance13.7%
  • Fuel system13.7%
  • Powertrain (other)13.7%

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

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP WAS RECENTLY RECALLED. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 3/10/2006. I ASSUME THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE A NEW PROBLEM BECAUSE OF TAKING THIS IN. I HAVE A HUGE OIL LEAK, ENOUGH TO WHERE I HAVE TO ADD OIL NEARLY EVERY DAY. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS (( OR TO KEEP PUTTING IT IN JUST TO HAVE IN MAKE THE MESS IN MY GARAGE AND ALL OVER THE HIGHWAYS)). COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME? THIS THERE SOME KIND OF VEHICLE REPAIR ASSISTANCE? THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ID 10155251 · filed Apr 12, 2006

THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE HEAD GASKET RECALL BY TOYOTA, AS A RESULT THEY REPLACED THE ORGINAL ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO LEAKAGE OF COOLANT INTO THE CYLINDERS. AFTER APPROX. 45,000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING USING A CONNECTING ROD EXPLODED WITH NO APPARENT REASON. GIVING NO WARNING SIGNS OF ANY KIND. THE CONNECTING ROD EXPLODED WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PRODUCE A 3 INCH DIA. HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE BLOCK AND ESTABLISH A CRACK ALONG THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR. THIS EXPLOSION OCCURRED AT UNDER 35 MPH. I HAVE TALKED WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMERS RELATIONS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME TOYOTA ISN'T INTERESTED. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE INSIDE OF THE MOTOR THERE WERE NO VISIUAL REASONS FOR THE CONNECTION ROD TO BLOW UP OIL PUMP WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER WITH PLENTY OF OIL THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM MY CONCERNS ARE IF THIS CAN HAPPN IN THIS MOTOR AND TOYOTA HAS REPLACED THOUSANDS OF MOTORS IN THEIR HEAD GASKET RECALL, AND THERE WERE DEFECTIVE RODS INSTALLED IN THOSE MOTORS, AT A HIGHER VEHICLE SPEED, GIVEN THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION SOMEBODY AT SOME POINT IN TIME IS GOING TO GET HURT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN. DT

NHTSA ID 768603 · filed Oct 18, 2002
All 9 reports naming engine

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SEAT BELT BUCKLES UNLATCH WITHOUT BEING RELEASED.

NHTSA ID 516194 · filed Apr 3, 1997

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHES WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ID 801122 · filed Aug 21, 1996

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM TOYOTA PERTAINING TO THE STEERING. HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE APPOINTMENT AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 10231318 · filed Jun 17, 2008

RECALL NOTICE, CANNOT GET REPAIRED. DEALER WILL NOT RETURN CALLS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10174735 · filed Nov 29, 2006

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP WITH A SET OF FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRES IN SIZE 205/70R14. YESTERDAY WHILE ON THE WAY TO WORK ON I85 THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK BEGAN VIBRATING HORRIBLY AS IF IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE TIRES AND THEY ALL STILL HAD AIR IN THEM. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY BUT THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. AT THIS POINT I THOUGHT I HAD THROWN A WHEEL WEIGHT AND THE TIRE WAS OUT OF BALANCE. ABOUT 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS A LARGE POPPING NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A GAS STATION AND WHEN I DID I FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD A HUGE SECTION OF TREAD THAT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CARCAS, PROBABLY 25% AROUND THE TIRE. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I HAVE EVER HAD HAPPEN WITH ANOTHER TIRE IN 25 YEARS OF DRIVING. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND I FEEL LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T END UP HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. THESE TIRES STILL HAVE CONSIDERABLE TREAD LIFE IN THEM AND HAVE BEEN ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES AND I RUN 32 PSI IN THEM. THE TRUCK IS RARELY USED FOR HAULING ANYTHING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA ID 10199620 · filed Aug 15, 2007

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF SHOULDERS, AND NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE . TIRE WAS A B.F.GOODRICH, P21565R15, DOT BEVFNX71308. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ID 874506 · filed Nov 6, 2000

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1990 TOYOTA PICK UP ELECTRONIC CONTROLS *GR THE CONSUMER STATED SOMETIMES HIS TRUCK WILL NOT START.

NHTSA ID 10324249 · filed Apr 8, 2010

LOOSE CRIMPED SPEEDOMETER TRANSMISSION CONNECTION IN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS CAUSED SENSORS IN SPEEDOMETER HOUSING/TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION, CAUSING ERRATIC SHIFTING.

NHTSA ID 507509 · filed Aug 14, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUSTING.

NHTSA ID 11098321 · filed May 28, 2018

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK 4X4. AFTER TURNING ON THE HEATER, LEAVES CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE OF HIS TRUCK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A LETTER WAS SENT ADVISING HIM THAT NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. UPDATED 01/27/10. *LJ SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK, THE CONSUMER NOTICED TREE LEAVES ENTERING THE MECHANICAL FAN CAGE. AFTER REMOVING THE LEAVES SEVERAL TIMES, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ALTERED AND WOULD NOT MAKE ANY MODIFICATIONS. OVER THE YEARS THE CONSUMER WOULD DILIGENTLY CLEAN THE SYSTEM 2-3 TIMES PER YEAR. AT TIMES HE COULD SMELL THE BURNING LEAVES WHEN OPERATING THE HEATER. WHEN THE LEAVES ACCUMULATE IN THE CAGE AND THE FAN IS ENERGIZED, THE MOVEMENT OF THE SMALL BLADES SPINNING AROUND THE LEAVES CREATES FRICTION CAUSING THE LEAVES TO IGNITE AND CATCH FIRE. UPDATED 01/28/10.*JB

NHTSA ID 10294872 · filed Dec 8, 2009

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE THIS TRUCK WAS NEW WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES. ONE OF THE TWO WHEELS LOCKS UP; CAUSING THE TRUCK TO PULL TO WHICHEVER SIDE IS LOCKING UP. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TRUCK TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES AND AFTER SPENDING $100.00 OR MORE THEY TELL ME THAT EVERY THING IS FINE. THE LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME IT IS BECAUSE IT IS A 1-TON TRUCK AND THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE TRUCK LOADED IS THE PROBLEM, AS THIS TRUCK WAS MADE TO CARRY A LOAD OF 1 TON. I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AS I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SHOES MADE IN THAT TIME FRAME. THIS DID SEAM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 TO SEVEN MONTHS. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND WE HAD ONCE AGAIN TRIED TO GET TOYOTA TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. THEY WILL AT MY EXPENSE, AND AFTER PAYING FOR THIS THE LAST TWO TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THIS AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON 1990 TOYOTA TRUCKS BUT NEVER A RECALL ITEM. I FEEL THIS IS A TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE ITEM AS IT IS A HAZARD ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM TIRED OF GETTING NO HELP ON THIS AND KNOW I CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW COMING TO YOU FOR SOME HELP IN THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ID 754161 · filed Nov 6, 2001

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED DOWN, ON HARD TO GET ON TO THE HIGHWAY OR PASS,IT STICKS. *AK

NHTSA ID 968130 · filed Jul 3, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL LINE FAILED, CAUSING ODOR/FUMES TO ENTER INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT; ALSO REPLACED TIMING BELT/OIL SEAL THAT WAS PUT IN BACKWARDS. *AK

NHTSA ID 511730 · filed Dec 3, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ME AND MY DAUGHTER WHERE DRIVING TO FEDERAL EXPRESS TO DROP OF SOME PACKAGES. AS I APPROACHED THE STOP LIGHT I PRESSED IN THE CLUTCH AND IT POPPED REALLY LOUD AND I ALMOST REARENDED A CADILLAC ESCALADE. I SWERVED RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING HIM AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD AND TOOK THE TRUCK OUT OF GEAR AND COASTED INTO THE FED EX PARKING LOT. MY FATHER-IN-LAW IS A TOYOTA MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE SUPPORT PLATE FOR THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE HAD BROKE IN 2 DIFFERENT PLACES. HE TOOK THE PLATE OUT SHOWED ME WHERE IT HAD BROKE AND WELDED IT BACK TOGETHER. I ASKED HIM IF THIS WAS COMMON EVEN IF IT DOES HAVE ALOT OF MILES AND HE SAID YES HE HAS SEEN THIS SEVERAL TIMES. THIS SCARED ME BECAUSE I WONDER IF THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE HAVE THIS HAPPEN AND WHERE KILLED IN A BAD CRASH AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT REALLY HAPPEN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA 2 TIMES BY E-MAIL BUT NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10318189 · filed Mar 9, 2010

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

Data on this page last refreshed .