VehicleVerdict

1989 Toyota Pick-Up problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 30 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Pick-Up year — the 1989 model ranks #6 of 23 Pick-Up years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (33% of the total).

30

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Pick-Up years?

Pick-Up NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted110 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 10 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 9 complaints1988: 7 complaints1989: 30 complaints1990: 29 complaints1991: 37 complaints1992: 62 complaints1993: 100 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 52 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 7 complaints1998: 5 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 7 complaints2002: 1 complaints
Pick-Up NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pick-Up years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Toyota Pick-Up problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1033%
Transmission413%
Body & Structure413%
Seat Belts310%
Brakes27%
Other27%
Steering27%
Tires & Wheels13%
Speed Control13%
Visibility & Wipers13%

Does the 1989 Toyota Pick-Up have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

05V389000SteeringSeptember 6, 2005 · 977,839 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 13, 1991

“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 ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · August 21, 1996 · crash

1989 Toyota Pick-Up — common questions

Is the 1989 Toyota Pick-Up reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 30 complaints put the 1989 model at #6 of 23 Pick-Up years. It is one of the Pick-Up years to avoid.

What are the most common 1989 Pick-Up problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (10 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), body & structure (4 complaints).

Does the 1989 Toyota Pick-Up have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Toyota Pick-Up. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Pick-Up years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pick-Up years to avoid are 1994, 1993, 1992, 1995, 1991, 1989. The cleanest record among Pick-Up years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.