MYRModel Year Report

1989 Toyota Camry

▲ Better than typical
1989 Toyota Camry
RENDERED 2026-09-16T18:26:26.840Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Camry Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 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: 780 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1293 complaints 2010: 602 complaints 2011: 598 complaints 2012: 589 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 269 complaints 2016: 181 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 737 complaints 2019: 393 complaints 2019 2020: 271 complaints 2021: 155 complaints 2022: 58 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 50 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
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008933
20091293
2010602
2011598
2012589
2013274
2014455
2015269
2016181
2017148
2018737
2019393
2020271
2021155
202258
202364
202450
2025146

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SEAT BELTS 19%

19% of complaints: seat belts — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SEAT BELT CAUSED CRUSHED CAROTID ARTERY, LEADING TO STROKE, PRIOR TO RECALL. *DSH

NHTSA ODI report, 19941113

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 15%

15% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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 9/21/2011*CW

NHTSA ODI report, 20040127

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEWS REPORTER ACTING ON BEHALF OF ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

NHTSA ODI report, 19950921

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19950721

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 14%

14% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch.

Show complaint excerpts

AUTOMATIC LOCKS LOCK DOWN, CANNOT OPEN CAR. *JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20140519

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, 20130619

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, 20020905

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 13%

13% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file, 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, 20230717

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19891215 — PE (closed 19900529)

PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNIN

R 19891228 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 89V175000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900529 — EA (closed 19920228)

PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILS

I 19920508 — EA (closed 19930512)

STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKS

I 19920716 — PE (closed 19921218)

THROTTLE STICKING

R 19921109 — latches/locks/linkages

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, EVEN

Remedy: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.

Campaign 92V135000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19921218 — EA (closed 19940131)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19970121 — PE (closed 19970423)

LEAKING FUEL TANK

I 19970423 — EA (closed 19980422)

LEAKING FUEL TANK

R 20160714 — seats

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.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V175000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V135000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2009 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.