1989 Toyota TERCEL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 27.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 1; Seats: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 2; 2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10079887 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP ON THE ALTERNATOR.*MR THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A REMANUFACTURED ALTERNATOR WHICH ONLY LASTED FOR THREE DAYS. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313751 · 2010-02-24 (February 24, 2010)
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.. I SO HOPE THIS HELP AND GET INVESTIGATED.. THEN KNEW IN 1989 ON THE TERCEL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10313751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500876 · 1996-01-22 (January 22, 1996)
TRUNK LEAKS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503156 · 1996-04-11 (April 11, 1996)
BRAKE PEDAL TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT BOTH PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY WHEN TRYING TO STOP.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003215 · 2002-01-30 (January 30, 2002)
WHILE PUSHING ON BRAKES, VEHICLE DOES NOT MAKE A COMPLETE STOP, INSTEAD BRAKE PEDAL WILL TOUCH THE GROUND, RESULTING IN USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE MASTER CYLINDER IS OUT. DRUMS WERE TURNED BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO THIN. THE FRONT AXLE IS LEAKING BAD. GOODYEAR TIRES ARE BAD, P155/80R13, DOT NUMBER MDE4E70119. INSIDE THE VEHICLE THERE IS A FUEL ODOR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 854466 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 854466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958984 · 1995-01-19 (January 19, 1995)
CARBURATOR CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO ACCELERATE WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AND THEN THE CAR TAKES OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961325 · 1995-03-07 (March 7, 1995)
DRIVERS SEAT TRACK HAVE BEEN STRIPED TWICE AND HAS BROKEN. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961325 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
92V111000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 1992-07-13 (July 13, 1992)
THERE CAN BE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING IF HEADLAMP BULBS ARE REPLACED WITH ANY BRAND OTHER THAN KOITO BRAND BULBS.
Consequence: THE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING CAUSED BYOTHER THAN KOITO BRAND LAMP BULBS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, "LAMPS,REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: TOYOTA DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW KOITO BRAND BULB WITH NO CHARGE IF A NON-KOITO BRAND BULB IS NOW INSTALLED, OR SHOULD A HEADLAMP BULB BURN OUT IN THE FUTURE. "CAUTION LABELS" WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON EACH HEADLAMP HOUSING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗