Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: it scores well across the board with no single weak engine.
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Toyota Corolla, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 24% |
| Power train | 4 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 7% |
| Tires | 2 | 7% |
| Seats | 2 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
IN 1991, DRIVING ON HWY 5 IN CAL, SUDDEN MY CAR TACKED OUT, ACCELERATING BEYOND ANYTHING I'VE EXPERIENCE. THIS CAR IS BEFORE THE CURRENT RECALL. I BRING THIS UP, BECAUSE, AT THE TIME, I KNEW IT WAS NOT THE PEDAL. IT SEEM
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING CAUSING EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
ON 7-9-02, 65 MPH, THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE (I HAVE THE ORIGINAL TIRE AND SEPERATED TREAD) TIRE MAINTAINED PRESSURE WITHOUT THE TREAD. THE SEPARATING TREAD DENTED THE DRIVERS FENDER, DOOR, AND BROKE OFF A PLA
NHTSA complaint: Tires
CONSUMER WANTS NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM WITH THE ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER READ ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL IN WHICH DRIVERS COULD HIT THE WR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THERE WASN'T A WARNING OF LOW FLUID IN THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT AND IT BROKE AND LOCKED UP THE FRONT TIRES MAKING THE VEHICLE COME TO A DEAD STOP. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT IS CHECKED FOR SAFETY.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
VEHICLE WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO DISCONNECT FROM SEAT TRACKS/ANCHORS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *YH
NHTSA complaint: Seats
TREAD SEPARATION WAS FOUND BY MECHANIC WHEN ROTATING TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 1B EV GD TIRESIZE: P175/70R13)
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 35 MPH ENROUTE TO THE FREEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SIEZED LOCKING UP THE FRONT END, BRINGING THE CAR TO A SCREECHING HAULT. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO REACT AND AVOI
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Toyota Corolla. 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
RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE
Risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK
Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
| Reliability | 91 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 88 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 90 | excellent |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 7 of them (24%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (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 88/100, 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: buy, because it scores well across the board with no single weak engine. Its overall ownership score is 81/100. 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.