MYRModel Year Report

1989 Toyota Camry

▲ Better than typical
1989 Toyota Camry
RENDERED 2026-10-31T16:24:43.213Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
117
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

19% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 117 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 782 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,294 complaints 2010: 604 complaints 2011: 599 complaints 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 182 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 754 complaints 2019: 399 complaints 2019 2020: 275 complaints 2021: 157 complaints 2022: 62 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 52 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1986 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 117 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1992 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1998 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 782 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2004 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,294 complaints 2010: 604 complaints 2010 2011: 599 complaints 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 182 complaints 2016 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 754 complaints 2019: 399 complaints 2019 2020: 275 complaints 2021: 157 complaints 2022: 62 complaints 2022 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 52 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1985 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1987 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 117 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1991 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1993 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1997 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 1999 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 782 complaints 2003 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2005 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2,886 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1,294 complaints 2009 2010: 604 complaints 2011: 599 complaints 2011 2012: 590 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2015 2016: 182 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2017 2018: 754 complaints 2019: 399 complaints 2019 2020: 275 complaints 2021: 157 complaints 2021 2022: 62 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2023 2024: 52 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025

1989: 117 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198633
198758
198869
1989117
1990136
1991155
1992569
1993263
1994306
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003782
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072,886
2008933
20091,294
2010604
2011599
2012590
2013274
2014455
2015269
2016182
2017148
2018754
2019399
2020275
2021157
202262
202364
202452
2025146

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

19% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Seat belt caused crushed carotid artery, leading to stroke, prior to recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-13

Vehicle speed control

15% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Defective cruise control caused wide open throttle that LED to a fatal accident. *jb updated 03/05/10 *bf updated 09/28/10 updated…

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-27

Sudden acceleration, causing accident. (News reporter acting on behalf of attorney for client)

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-09-21

Vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-21

Latches/locks/linkages

14% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Show complaint excerpts

Automatic locks lock down, cannot open car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-19

I have a 1989 Toyota Camry and I noticed that there was a recall(92V135000) on the door assembly with the latches and locks well I called the dealer and they told me that the maintenance was already done on the car but now I have both back doors...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-19

Consumer states vehicle was previously remedied under recall no 92V135000 for the door locks. Problem has reoccurred. Passenger front door lock is fused and door can not be opened from in or outside the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-05

Fuel system, gasoline

13% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

Electrical system

11% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-07-17

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1989-12-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-05-29 Passive safety belt warnin
  2. R
    1989-12-28Seat belts89V175000 Occupant release of the lap belt in a certain manner could cause the belt retractor to lock at the retracted and stowed position.

    Remedy: Replace lap belt with a redesigned belt guide.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1990-05-29Engineering analysisClosed 1992-02-28 Passive safety belt fails
  4. I
    1992-05-08Engineering analysisClosed 1993-05-12 Stuck power door locks
  5. I
    1992-07-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-12-18 Throttle sticking
  6. R
    1992-11-09Latches/locks/linkages92V135000 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…

    Remedy: Install an additional subcircuit relay control to prevent malfunction of original relays in the ECU.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1992-12-18Engineering analysisClosed 1994-01-31 Throttle sticking
  8. I
    1997-01-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-04-23 Leaking fuel tank
  9. I
    1997-04-23Engineering analysisClosed 1998-04-22 Leaking fuel tank
  10. R
    2016-07-14Seats16V396000 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser,...

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V175000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 92V135000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 16V396000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Toyota Camry reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Toyota Camry is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Toyota Camry?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Toyota Camry have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.