Does the 1989 Toyota Tercel have any recalls?

1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: exterior lighting. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1989 Toyota Tercel recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Toyota dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1989 Toyota Tercel?

22 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1989 Toyota Tercel recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1989 Toyota Tercel. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Toyota been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

1989 Toyota Tercel recalls, newest first

July 13, 1992NHTSA 92V111000360,399 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Headlights

Summary: There can be interference with the headlamp housing if headlamp bulbs are replaced with any brand other than koito brand bulbs.
Consequence: The interference with the headlamp housing caused byother than koito brand lamp bulbs does not comply with FMVSS 108, "lamps,reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: Toyota dealers will provide a new koito brand bulb with no charge if a non-koito brand bulb is now installed, or should a headlamp bulb burn out in the future. "caution labels" will also be placed on each headlamp housing.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1989 Toyota Tercel with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 2
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Fuel system9
Gasoline › Carburetor system7
Structure › Body › Trunk lid4
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch3
Service brakes3

Other Toyota Tercel years

Other 1989 Toyota models

Questions

Does the 1989 Toyota Tercel have any recalls?: 1 recall found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: exterior lighting. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1989 Toyota Tercel recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Toyota dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1989 Toyota Tercel?: 22 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.