AI Damage1989 Toyota Tercel: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Toyota Tercel filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 22
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 41% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 9% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 9 complaints (41% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 3 complaints (14% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Latches, locks, linkages: 2 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 22 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 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.
While driving 40-45 mph right front wheels locked up for no reason, causing vehicle to go out of control and crash. Vehicle was totalled. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Police officer stated this problem also happened to him. The locked wheel, while driving, was related to the 4-wheel drive option.
While vehicle was parked, the driver turned key to start vehicle, put vehicle in reverse and vehicle shot out so fast in reverse that the driver had no control of vehicle. Applying the brakes did absolutely nothing. The vehicle stopped when crashing into a park van. The vehcle is being repaired.
The consumer had an accident and the front shoulder retractor didn't retract.
In 1989 toyota had this problem with the tercel.. I had one they did a fix but not a recall.. I don't know for sure but I bet it is the same problem.. They treated me horrible and I about died... They knew then that type of accelerator would stick,, then knew all the way back then and did nothing..
Defect in workmanship on the alternator. The consumer purchased a remanufactured alternator which only lasted for three days. The consumer would like to be reimbursed.
We could purchase a new carburetor, only to experience the same problems with stalling and eventual failure due to a defect in the design. We have spent thousands of dollars repairing the fueling system and carburetor.
It will start shaking, as time progressed it will get worse. Contacted the dealer, they said it was internal in the carburetor.
The vehicle experiencing sputter and jerking when idling due to a defective carburetor. Replacements were done.
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 7,904 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tercel has 17 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 22, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Toyota Tercel?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, service brakes, structure. Total complaints: 22. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (14%), door locks, latches, handles (5%), hesitation when accelerating (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Toyota Tercel?
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 Tercel 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.