AI Damage1989 Toyota VAN: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Toyota VAN filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and latches, locks, linkages. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Latches, locks, linkages 33% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 33% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Accelerator linkage cover located between the brake pedal and the gas pedal, caused a rear end crash because driver's foot caught on the cover, and was not able to push on the brake pedal. Van was totalled in the crash. Please provide any further information.
While driving the vehicle, engine compartment fire, under the hood, electrical short. Tt
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 17,150 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 47% most complained about).
On average one model year of the VAN has 4 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 3, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
- 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 VAN?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, latches, locks, linkages, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: door locks, latches, handles (33%), smoke, burning smell, fire (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Toyota VAN?
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 VAN 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.