1989 Toyota Corolla Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Toyota Corolla (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1989 Toyota Corolla. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (22% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and brakes (3). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 19 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling5 22%
- Brakes3 13%
- Electrical system3 13%
- Fuel system2 8.7%
- Seat belts2 8.7%
- Seats2 8.7%
- Tires2 8.7%
- Body and structure1 4.3%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While driving at approximately 60-65 MPH heard rattling noise like loose fan belt in the front of car underhood, something dropped off the car, then smoke occurred, flames came out, part of the engine block missing and there is a big hole in the engine. Dealer not aware of the problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #832918, filed 1998-12Transmission and drivetrain: “I was traveling at approx 35 MPH enroute to the freeway when the transmission siezed locking up the front end, bringing the car to a screeching hault. I was fortunate that the driver behind me was able to react and avoid a collision. Dealer confirmed a transmission problem. Vehicle has not yet been repaired as I plan to replace the transmission myself with a used or rebuilt component. I don't expect any reibursement, but thought it should be reported as it did create a hazardous situation.”
NHTSA complaint #712236, filed 1999-09Brakes: “Consumer wants NHTSA to investigate problem with the adjustable foot pedal. The consumer was involved in a vehicle accident. The consumer read about a problem with the adjustable pedal in which drivers could hit the wrong pedal during emergency braking.”
NHTSA complaint #566215, filed 2002-06Electrical system: “After turning engine off, after running for about 25 minutes, the car went into post- ignition, and about 5 minutes later the car caught on fire under the hood and was totalled. Not sure of the exact cause of fire.”
NHTSA complaint #816590, filed 1997-09Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Toyota Corolla version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corolla FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Corolla FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Corolla FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Corolla FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Corolla 4WD/AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Corolla 4WD/AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Corolla All-Trac Wagon 4WD/AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Corolla All-Trac Wagon 4WD/AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Corolla Wagon FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Corolla Wagon FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/coolerCovers: Toyota Corolla 1989, 2009–2010, Camry 1988–1990, 2005–2010, Highlander 2005–2011 +11 more
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…
Recall details for the 1989 Toyota Corolla → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 19 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Equipment. TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year…
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022Equipment, Wheels, Tires. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10188913Feb 3, 2021Equipment. TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year…
- 10174891Apr 7, 2020Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174890Apr 6, 2020Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01…
- 10145749Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10145748Aug 31, 2018Equipment. Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10143953Jul 31, 2018Equipment. TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10131713Jan 11, 2018Equipment. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and…
- 10133649Nov 21, 2017Equipment. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
Other model years of the Toyota Corolla
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 | 824 | 1 | 5 | 34 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 31 | 8,000 | 0 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 66 | 15,858 | 2 | 5 | 35 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 74 | 62,500 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 16 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 102 | 21,300 | 0 | 5 | 33 | 4 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 188 | 39,200 | 1 | 5 | 33 | 16 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 311 | 10,000 | 3 | 5 | 33 | 66 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 204 | 12,400 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 57 · Typical | Stable |
| 2018 | 136 | 17,000 | 3 | 5 | 32 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 178 | 13,500 | 3 | 5 | 32 | 46 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 215 | 25,000 | 1 | 5 | 32 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 220 | 30,000 | 1 | 5 | 32 | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 270 | 35,000 | 2 | 5 | 32 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 201 | 25,500 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 56 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 446 | 36,509 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 584 | 31,000 | 9 | 3 | 29 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 1,244 | 6,000 | 17 | — | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 1,459 | 23,000 | 13 | — | 30 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 314 | 39,694 | 6 | — | 31 | 68 · More | Stable |
| 2007 | 836 | 46,900 | 6 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 840 | 56,414 | 7 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 854 | 69,889 | 6 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 477 | 60,000 | 9 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 721 | 86,000 | 9 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 117 | 62,000 | 0 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 133 | 62,500 | 0 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 145 | 69,750 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 155 | 66,900 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 225 | 77,800 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 135 | 99,000 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 129 | 80,000 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 176 | 150,000 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 172 | 120,000 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 130 | 101,000 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 63 | 98,000 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 71 | 100,252 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 27 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 23 | — | 1 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 26 | 65,000 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 14 | 10,000 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 6 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 1982 | 5 | 190 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Toyota Corolla model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Toyota Corolla have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1989 Toyota Corolla as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Toyota Corolla is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (22% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 1989 Toyota Corolla been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Toyota Corolla get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Toyota Corolla (Corolla, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.