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Vehicle safety record

1989 Toyota Pickup Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 1989 Toyota Pickup with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (4) and the engine & cooling (4). Those complaints describe 2 crashes and 3 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in August 2008 for the headlights. For comparison, the 1988 has 7 and the 1990 has 28.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical Pickup year, for its age

#58 most complained-about 1989 vehicle

Complaints
21
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Most common 1989 Toyota Pickup problems

Share of all 21 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1989 Toyota Pickup recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Exterior lighting: headlights

08E0500001,921 vehicles affected

The problem
K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
The risk
Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix
K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact k2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior lighting

06E02600061,944 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
The risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

Steering: connecting

05V389000977,839 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the steering wheel is repeatedly turned under certain conditions where high steering effort and power assist are required, for instance, when fully turning the wheel while the vehicle is stopped, a fatigue crack may develop in the steering relay rod.
The risk
If the vehicle is continued to be operated in this condition, the relay rod may fracture, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the steering relay rod. The recall began october 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

What owners say

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21 complaints about the 1989 Toyota Pickup

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Body, doors & structure

Sheared clutch and brake bracket. Vehicle was in motion.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10980978
Engine & cooling

Truck has 186000 miles and over the years I have had to replace the head gaskets and seals four times. Basically spending 3200 dollars three times after the warranty work was done the first time. This is a major issue with this vehicle. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10681063
Body, doors & structure

Tl*the contact owns a 1989 toyota pickup. The contact noticed that the frame of the vehicle was severely covered with rust. The vehicle has not been diagnosed and the manufacturer has not been contacted. The failure and current mileages were 166, 643.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10321402
Engine & cooling

Without warning, vehicle stalled at 25 mph. After towing to dealership and waiting over 7 weeks was told head gasket blown and heads warped. Then charged over $4220.00 For repairs already done. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10186661
Steering

Tl* the contact owns a 1989 toyota pickup. The contact received a safety recall 05v389 related to replacing the steering relay rod. T the closest dealer would require him drive for 3 hours. The contact preffered to have the vehicle repaired at a local repair shop and requested reimbursement. The current mileage was 150,000. *Ak

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10183047
Brakes

Dt*: the contact stated the clutch looses power. An independent repair shop determined the brake pedal bracket fractured. The bracket was spot welded. The weld is coming loose and the bracket needs to be replaced.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10154824
Steering

Dt*: the contact stated although there were no problems displayed by the vehicle. There is a nhtsa recall, #05v389000 on the vehicle regarding the steering. The parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. The manufacturer confirmed the parts were not available.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10149197
Body, doors & structure

Problems concerning 1989 toyota pickup truck rusted frame. *Mr *sc *jb

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10079524
Body, doors & structure

After traveling approx. One mile, the consumer learned he had no brakes. *Ph the right rear brake line was dripping fluid. The mechanic advised the consumer that the vehicle was not repairable. The frame on the right rear of the vehicle had rusted through and left a gap in the frame. *Sc *jb

Filed StructureNHTSA 10072121
Transmission & drivetrain

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning clutch failed and bracket snapped. Dealer notified. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10027203
Engine & cooling

While driving at state speed limit and without warning coolant and water was leaking after driving a few miles. Mechanic stated engine head gasket needed to be replaced.*Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8005090
Other & unknown

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 732363
Engine & cooling

While driving at approximately 40-45mph engine's head gaskets blew. Had no prior warning. Had noticed smoke coming from hood. Had vehicle towed home. Has not been to dealer to have vehicle checked. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 847434
Transmission & drivetrain

Bracket broke which holds the clutch and brake pedal, causing driver to be unable to get vehicle out of gear.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 545025
Transmission & drivetrain

CLUTCH AND BEARING FAILED.

Filed Power trainNHTSA 543176
Seats & seat belts

Seat belt does not retract properly, and when it is left out of the track seat belt gets dirty. *Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 822836
Seats & seat beltsCrash3 injuries

While driving vehicle across a bridge, another driver (young man) tried to pass in a no pass zone, struck vehicle head on; tried to apply brakes; 3 passengers injured

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 801498
BrakesCrash

Master cylinders; failure on the brakes system, the brakes pedal goes to the floor, causing an accident. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 981040
Wheels & tires

The wheel lug nuts on aluminum wheels were over torqued which caused them to break. Tt

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 977005
Seats & seat belts

Driver side seat belt sticks to the point that it takes 15 or 20 minutes to get it loose. Tt

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 966437
Acceleration & cruise control

Throttle stuck in the open position when the cruise control was applied almost causing an accident. Tt

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 960101

Toyota Pickup: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
199363471Body, doors & structureF
199256420Body, doors & structureF
199130360Engine & coolingF
199028311Engine & coolingF
198921320Body, doors & structureF
19887100Engine & coolingC
19878120Seats & seat beltsF
198618010Wheels & tiresD
198510040Wheels & tiresF
All Pickup years

1989 Toyota Pickup vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1989 Toyota Pickup

Does the 1989 Toyota Pickup have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1989 Toyota Pickup: headlights (August 2008); exterior lighting (March 2006); connecting (September 2005). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Toyota Pickup?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (4), engine & cooling (4), seats & seat belts (3).

How many complaints has the 1989 Toyota Pickup had?

21 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 15, 1995 and the latest on April 26, 2017. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1989 Toyota Pickup a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 11 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Toyota Pickup year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Toyota Pickup years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1989 Toyota Pickup has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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