AI Damage1989 Toyota Cressida: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Toyota Cressida filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and equipment. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 30% of all complaints
- 2 Equipment 30% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 30% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 10% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Equipment: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (30% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Motorbelt failed to restrain driver during collision, causing injury.
Involved in an accident the drivers side seatbelt did not restrain the driver.
The transmission fails to shift gears for no reason, no-one realize what's the causes. The car dies when making turns very often, again, no one can find out the reasons.
Was driving on highway and without prior warning vehicle started to overheat. Dealership was aware of problem. Please provide further information.
Air conditioner failed four times, cylinder head/head gasket cracked, two oxygen sensors replaced within 10,000 miles, brakes grind, valve cover gasket leaks
Whenever the air conditioner is turned on, it would leak under the dashboard. Been to dealer & was informed the evaporator core was defective. Its been replaced at least 6 times, but it keeps leaking.
Transmission will shift improperly, causing the car to stall and buck in traffic.
Drivers side lap/shoulder belt will not latch properly, will slid behind the latch.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cressida has 4 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Toyota Cressida?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, equipment, seat belts. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (20%), knocking, grinding or other noise (10%), overheating, coolant loss (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Toyota Cressida?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Toyota Cressida from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.