The 1989 Toyota Camry has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 970,884 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS16V3960002016-06-027,749 affected
Defect
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 Prius, 1988-1990 and…
Consequence
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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 SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM CAN FAIL, CAUSING THE CONTACTS TO "WELD", AND RESULTING IN DOOR LOCK SOLENOID DAMAGE, WITH FAILURE OF THE DOOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, EVEN UNDER MANUAL OPERATION.
Consequence
IF THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ECU FAILURE, VEHICLEOCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE INCREASED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Remedy
INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.
SEAT BELTS89V1750001989-10-18408,225 affected
Defect
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
Consequence
SEAT BELTS MAY BE UNUSABLE OR OCCUPANTS MAY BEDISCOURAGED FROM USING BELTS, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN ANACCIDENTAL OR SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy
REPLACE LAP BELT WITH A REDESIGNED BELT GUIDE.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS
13
1crashes1injuries
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
12
5crashes1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
11
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
4
1crashes1injuries
TIRES
4
3injuries
Total complaints138
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 1989 toyota camry. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and his wife noticed smoke coming from under the driver's side of the hood. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that when he opened the hood, he noticed…”
“Passengers door will mot unlock. Either by electric door lock or by pulling up the unlock botton. 1989 toyota camry recall - #92v135000 recall for latches/locks/linkages : doors : latch the electronic control unit (ecu) for the power door lock system can fail, causing the contacts to "weld", and…”
“Got email saying 1989 toyota camry on recall list because of engine piston problems”
“The shoulder harness on this car moves in a track to get out of the way when the driver opens the door, and to move to the other end of the track to secure the driver when the door is closed. It is a dumb design. This car is old, and despite my mechanic's best efforts, the motion to get out of the…”
“1989 toyota camry's driver side and passenger side power door locks stuck in locked position. Unable to exit vehicle from front seats. Unable to unlock front doors manually from inside vehicle. Unable to unlock front doors using key from outside vehicle. Safety issue along with inconvenience when…”
“1989 toyota camry's driver side and passenger side power door locks stuck in locked position. Unable to exit vehicle from front seats. Unable to unlock front doors manually from inside vehicle. Unable to unlock front doors using key from outside vehicle. Safety issue along with inconvenience when…”
“Automatic locks lock down, cannot open car. *js”
“I have a 1989 toyota camry and I noticed that there was a recall(92v135000) on the door assembly with the latches and locks well I called the dealer and they told me that the maintenance was already done on the car but now I have both back doors that wont open at all, and I believe this is the…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA90028 Opened 1990-05-29 · closed 1992-02-28
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILS
===
InvestigationEA92013 Opened 1992-05-08 · closed 1993-05-12
STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKS
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA92044 Opened 1992-12-18 · closed 1994-01-31
THROTTLE STICKING
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA97008 Opened 1997-04-23 · closed 1998-04-22
LEAKING FUEL TANK
CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK
InvestigationPE90027 Opened 1989-12-15 · closed 1990-05-29
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNIN
===
InvestigationPE92065 Opened 1992-07-16 · closed 1992-12-18
THROTTLE STICKING
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE97003 Opened 1997-01-21 · closed 1997-04-23
LEAKING FUEL TANK
CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINT OF THE FUEL FILL OR INLET PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK ALLOWS LIQUID FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Toyota Camry as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.