RoadVitals

1989 Vehicles: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Data

Every 1989 model-year vehicle in our database with enough NHTSA data to publish, ranked by the number of complaints owners have filed. Because all of these vehicles are the same model year, they have had the same amount of time in which reports could accumulate.

Complaints 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.

Vehicles listed1989 model years that clear the threshold at which we publish a vehicle page.
1,160
across 222 makes
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.
7,564
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.
622
distinct campaigns naming a vehicle of this year
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.
402

1989 vehicles by owner-reported complaint volume

60 vehicles of 1,160, most-reported first

1989 model-year vehicles ranked by owner-reported complaint count
#VehicleComplaintsComplaints 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.90 daysRecallsInvestigationsIssue IndexThe Vehicle Issue Index is our own informational metric, not an official safety rating and not a reliability prediction.
1Ford Taurus562071767.9
2Ford Aerostar26006975.6
3Mercury Sable238081673.1
4Ford F-15022404567.8
5Dodge Caravan191051066.2
6Jeep Cherokee19106366.4
7Plymouth Voyager165051069.0
8Lincoln Continental15805866.7
9Ford Escort15201262.7
10Pontiac Grand Prix139010960.4
11Ford Thunderbird12405672.3
12Ford Tempo12401457.7
13Oldsmobile Cutlass11306462.1
14Toyota Camry11303765.1
15Ford F-25011206565.3
16Ford Mustang10905472.0
17Buick Regal106081166.1
18Lincoln Town Car8905065.8
19Honda Accord8601156.3
20Ford Bronco8402262.2
21Mercury Cougar8104670.7
22Chrysler New Yorker7800144.0
23Ford Probe7701454.9
24Ford Ranger7303163.0
25Ford Crown Victoria7202367.0
26Honda Civic6906368.3
27Hyundai Excel68041172.3
28Eagle Premier6705460.5
29Chevrolet Corsica6406665.5
30Dodge Dakota6303052.7
31Nissan Maxima6204055.9
32Chevrolet Suburban6204162.9
33Jeep Wrangler6207970.4
34Mercury Grand Marquis5802166.1
35Chevrolet Astro5706160.9
36Dodge Dynasty5501150.2
37Chevrolet Beretta5105667.7
38Chrysler Lebaron4903471.4
39Cadillac Deville4801046.9
40Chevrolet S104805564.0
41Ford Festiva4702364.8
42Mercury Topaz4601354.1
43Pontiac Grand Am4403158.9
44Chevrolet Cavalier4302255.2
45Ford F-3504205766.4
46Mazda 6264202257.9
47Nissan Sentra4101154.5
48Volvo 7404101159.9
49Buick Century4001151.9
50Chevrolet Celebrity3901252.1
51Ford Bronco Ii3901362.4
52Mazda 3233801151.4
53Chevrolet Blazer3804570.5
54Cadillac Allante3701349.3
55Mazda 9293602249.1
56Nissan 240SX3601150.7
57Acura Legend3402055.0
58Dodge Daytona3403370.9
59Plymouth Acclaim3302148.3
60Dodge Colt3301351.0

Showing the 60 most-reported of 1,160 1989 vehicles. The rest are reachable through their make and model pages.

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.

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

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.