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Toyota TercelModel year report

1989 Toyota Tercel Problems

Complaints
22filed 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
29 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Toyota Tercel (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1989 Toyota Tercel. The part named most often is fuel system, with 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and body and structure (3). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 20 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.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “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. 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.”

NHTSA complaint #8003215, filed 2002-01

Brakes: “While vehicle was parked, the driver turned key to start vehicle, put vehicle in reverse and vehicle shot out so fast in reverse that the driver had no control of vehicle. Applying the brakes did absolutely nothing. The vehicle stopped when crashing into a park van. The vehcle is being repaired.”

NHTSA complaint #819508, filed 1998-01

Vehicle speed control: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10313751, filed 2010-02

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1995199619971998199962000200220042010
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1989 Toyota Tercel version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Tercel FWD1.5L 4-cyl4-speed manual303733$2,050
Tercel FWD1.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual273429$2,300
Tercel FWD1.5L 4-cyl3-speed automatic242926$2,600

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

Recall details for the 1989 Toyota Tercel → · 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. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 20 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Tercel

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
199720154,5000—29—Stable
199640122,5250—30Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19955199,7000—30Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199440127,0430—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199343—0—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19922490,0000—28—Stable
199117218,8000—28—Stable
19901976,0001—28—Stable
198922—1—29—Stable
19888—1—29—Not enough data
198713—1—28—Not enough data
19866150,0000—29—Not enough data
19845—0—27—Not enough data

All Toyota Tercel model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Toyota Tercel have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1989 Toyota Tercel as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1989 Toyota Tercel is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 1989 Toyota Tercel 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 Tercel get?

The EPA rates the 1989 Toyota Tercel (Tercel, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 27 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 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.