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Electrical systemPart report

1989 Toyota Camry Electrical system Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
10%of 113 total for the year
Median mileage
198,315miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 1989 Toyota Camry, 10% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 198,315 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I bought a 1989 Toyota Camry about 3 years ago from the original owner. It now has 250,000 miles on it. Since I bought the car I've had trouble with the gas pedal sticking. I did not see this year listed on the recall list. You really have to push hard on it when you put it in drive to get the car to move. Was this particular year recalled? I'm also having trouble with the driver's side window power switch you have to squeeze the whole plastic piece to get it to work, and what about the airbags? …”

NHTSA complaint #10659447, filed 2014-11, 235,000 miles

“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 resulting in door lock solenoid damage, with failure of the door to lock or unlock, even under manual operation.”

NHTSA complaint #11191391, filed 2019-03, 198,315 miles

“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 that the battery had caught on fire and the fire was expanding. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. The vehicle was then pushed to the side of the road. There was no injury sustained. There was no police report filed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11532767, filed 2023-07, 144,000 miles

“Fuses on the car blow when car is put in reverse, electrical seems to have gone wacko brake light fuse blows with no apparent reason and when driving on 03/01/00 headlights went while driving at night. No accident luckily all came back after replacing fuses.”

NHTSA complaint #719584, filed 2000-03

“Car dies in idle after freeway run. Three year history of problem, since 90,000 mi. Not fixed by valve job, distributer cap/rotor replacement, or tune up. Car also surges sometimes at idle with A/C on.”

NHTSA complaint #739113, filed 2001-01

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202424%
2023914%
2022914%
202185%
20206825%
2019277%
2018689%
20172316%
20162111%
20153111%
20145512%
20132911%
20126211%
2011325%
2010254%
2009826%
2008485%
20072318%
2006217%
2005335%
2004376%
2003203%
2002364%
2001207%
2000317%
1999418%
1998336%
1997407%
1996266%
1995186%
1994238%
1993208%
1992265%
19912315%
199097%
19891110%
19881320%
1987610%
1985323%
1983117%

Other parts of the 1989 Toyota Camry

Seat belts
21 complaints
Fuel system
16 complaints
Vehicle speed control
16 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
15 complaints
Body and structure
10 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Wheels
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1989 Toyota Camry

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology