The 1989 Toyota Tercel has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 360,399 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Complaints by component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
7
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
2
1crashes
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
Total complaints32
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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”
“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.…”
“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.…”
“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.…”
“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.…”
“It happened all of sudden in the mornings when starting up the vehicle. It will start shaking, as time progressed it will get worse. Contacted the dealer, they said it was internal in the carburetor. *ak”
“This is a known defect among service personnel at the toyota dealership in sarasota, florida and among mechanics. We were told the carburetor is unrepairable. We could purchase a new carburetor, only to experience the same problems with stalling and eventual failure due to a defect in the design.…”
“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…”
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 Tercel as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.