Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 129 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Toyota Camry, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 21 | 16% |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 12% |
| Fuel system | 15 | 12% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 13 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 7% |
| Structure | 7 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 5% |
| Power train | 6 | 5% |
| Tires | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
PASSENGERS DOOR WILL MOT UNLOCK. EITHER BY ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK OR BY PULLING UP THE UNLOCK BOTTON. 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY RECALL - #92V135000 RECALL FOR LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES : DOORS : LATCH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (E
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
GOT EMAIL SAYING 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY ON RECALL LIST BECAUSE OF ENGINE PISTON PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint: Engine
CAR STALLS WHILE EITHER GOING DOWN THE STREET, OR AT A STOPLIGHT. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL GET REAR-ENDED. AND, ALSO EMBARRASSING AND FRUSTRATING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1989 NEW. IT HAPPENS SEVERAL T
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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. THI
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
I BOUGHT A 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT NOW HAS 250,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. I DID NOT SEE THIS YEAR LISTED ON THE RECALL LI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1989 TOYOTA CAMRY'S DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCKS STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE FROM FRONT SEATS. UNABLE TO UNLOCK FRONT DOORS MANUALLY FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. UNABLE TO UNLOCK FRONT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1989 Toyota Camry. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Priu
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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
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 UNDER MANUAL OPERATION.
Risk: IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Fix: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
Risk: SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.
Fix: REPLACE LAP BELT WITH A REDESIGNED BELT GUIDE.
| Reliability | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 81 | excellent |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 129 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 21 of them (16%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1989 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 76/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.