repaired · 2017 Q4
Front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
1989 Toyota CamryProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 113 owner complaints about the 1989 Toyota Camry, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-396 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 17, 2023. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1989 Toyota Camry has problems
113 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
21Seat belts3 crash/fire/injury
16Vehicle speed control7 crash/fire/injury
15Fuel system, gasoline
15Latches/locks/linkages
11Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
10Structure
7Service brakes, hydraulic
7Engine and engine cooling
6Power train
2211 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 21 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 7 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 15 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 15 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 2 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 7 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 1 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 22 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1989 Toyota Camry recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Doors: latch
Risk. IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
no report yet
Seat belts: front
Risk. SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Best & worst years
1989 vs. every other Camry year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Camry median. How we score
68133258641131341495652602873034175556005014542729537836387213172,8899331,294604602590274455271184148757405276158666753
'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
7 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1989 Toyota Camry, and the recalls they led to.
- PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILSLed to recall 92V-025
- STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKSLed to recall 92V-135
- THROTTLE STICKINGNo recall
- LEAKING FUEL TANKNo recall
- PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNINNo recall
- THROTTLE STICKINGNo recall
- LEAKING FUEL TANKNo recall
In owners' words
What Camry owners report
Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON THIS CAR MOVES IN A TRACK TO GET OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THE DRIVER OPENS THE DOOR, AND TO MOVE TO THE OTHER END OF THE TRACK TO SECURE THE DRIVER WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. IT IS A DUMB DESIGN. THIS CAR IS OLD, AND DESPITE MY MECHANIC'S BEST EFFORTS, THE MOTION TO GET OUT OF THE…
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK LID OPENS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND THE POLLUTION CONTROL DEVICES ARE INOPERABLE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT COMES AROUND, BINDING OCCUPANT INTO SEAT WITH SO MUCH PRESSURE ACROSS CHEST, MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BREATH. *AK
Own a 1989 Camry?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.