1989 Toyota Corolla recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heat…
What could happen: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 COROLLA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V396000 (manufacturer code SET16B).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-405-4226.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Summary: 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 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
What could happen: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 COROLLA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10E002000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-248-458-1396.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION
Summary: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR FRONT STRUT MOUNTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS, NISSAN, OR TOYOTA. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1989 Toyota Corolla owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (7), Transmission / drivetrain (4), Vehicle Speed Control (3), Brakes (3), Hydraulic (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/03/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
IN 1991, DRIVING ON HWY 5 IN CAL, SUDDEN MY CAR TACKED OUT, ACCELERATING BEYOND ANYTHING I'VE EXPERIENCE. THIS CAR IS BEFORE THE CURRENT RECALL. I BRING THIS UP, BECAUSE, AT THE TIME, I KNEW IT WAS NOT THE PEDAL. IT SEEMED TO ME AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS IN THE WIRING OR COMPUTER. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, IT COMPLETELY TACKED OUT, RISKING THAT IT WOULD THROW…
05/05/2003 · Brakes
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING CAUSING EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED
07/13/2002 · Wheels / tires
ON 7-9-02, 65 MPH, THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE (I HAVE THE ORIGINAL TIRE AND SEPERATED TREAD) TIRE MAINTAINED PRESSURE WITHOUT THE TREAD. THE SEPARATING TREAD DENTED THE DRIVERS FENDER, DOOR, AND BROKE OFF A PLASTIC SUPPORT TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE CARE HAD BEEN INSPECTED 4 DAYS PRIOR AND THE TIRES PASSED. (16 Y/O SON WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME) 3 OTH…
06/20/2002 · Brakes · crash
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. *NM
02/19/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
THERE WASN'T A WARNING OF LOW FLUID IN THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT AND IT BROKE AND LOCKED UP THE FRONT TIRES MAKING THE VEHICLE COME TO A DEAD STOP. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT IS CHECKED FOR SAFETY.*AK
08/17/2001 · Seats
VEHICLE WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT TO DISCONNECT FROM SEAT TRACKS/ANCHORS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *YH
10/11/2000 · Wheels / tires
TREAD SEPARATION WAS FOUND BY MECHANIC WHEN ROTATING TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 1B EV GD TIRESIZE: P175/70R13)
09/27/1999 · Transmission / 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 WI…