FaultScore

FaultScore report

1990 Toyota Pickup problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 1990 Toyota Pickup with NHTSA between 1995 and 2018. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

29

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

How 1990 compares with every other Toyota Pickup

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1990 Toyota Pickup

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 9 31.0%
Seat Belts 5 17.2%
Tires 3 10.3%
Steering 3 10.3%

Median failure at 183,000 miles

Electrical System 3 10.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 3.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 147,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 1 3.4%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 3.4%
Body & Structure 1 3.4%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Brakes 1 3.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 3.4%

Median failure at 244,300 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Engine 8 40.0%
Tread/Belt 3 15.0%
Buckle Assembly 3 15.0%
Rear/Other 2 10.0%
Connecting 1 5.0%
Accelerator Pedal 1 5.0%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 5.0%
Drum 1 5.0%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 25.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 25.0%
150,000+ miles 2 50.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 1995 peak 3 May 2018

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 147,000 miles Lake Charles, LA Fire

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK 4X4. AFTER TURNING ON THE HEATER, LEAVES CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE OF HIS TRUCK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A LETTER WAS SENT ADVISING HIM THAT NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. UPDATED 01/27/10. *LJ SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK, THE CONSUMER NOTICED TREE LEAVES ENTERING THE MECHANICAL FAN CAGE. AFTER REMOVING THE LEAVES SEVERAL TIMES, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ALTERED AND WOULD NOT MAKE ANY MODIFICATIONS. OVER THE YEARS THE CONSUMER WOULD DILIGENTLY CLEAN THE SYSTEM 2-3 TIMES PER YEAR. AT TIMES HE COULD SMELL THE BURNING LEAVES WHEN OPERATING THE HEATER. WHEN THE LEAVES ACCUMULATE IN THE CAGE AND THE FAN IS ENERGIZED, THE MOVEMENT OF THE SMALL BLADES SPINNING AROUND THE LEAVES CREATES FRICTION CAUSING THE LEAVES TO IGNITE AND CATCH FIRE. UPDATED 01/28/10.

NHTSA complaint #10294872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 40,000 miles Harrisonville, MO

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUSTING.

NHTSA complaint #11098321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ocean Springs, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1990 TOYOTA PICK UP ELECTRONIC CONTROLS *GR THE CONSUMER STATED SOMETIMES HIS TRUCK WILL NOT START.

NHTSA complaint #10324249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 244,300 miles Janesville, WI

POWER TRAIN

ME AND MY DAUGHTER WHERE DRIVING TO FEDERAL EXPRESS TO DROP OF SOME PACKAGES. AS I APPROACHED THE STOP LIGHT I PRESSED IN THE CLUTCH AND IT POPPED REALLY LOUD AND I ALMOST REARENDED A CADILLAC ESCALADE. I SWERVED RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING HIM AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD AND TOOK THE TRUCK OUT OF GEAR AND COASTED INTO THE FED EX PARKING LOT. MY FATHER-IN-LAW IS A TOYOTA MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE SUPPORT PLATE FOR THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE HAD BROKE IN 2 DIFFERENT PLACES. HE TOOK THE PLATE OUT SHOWED ME WHERE IT HAD BROKE AND WELDED IT BACK TOGETHER. I ASKED HIM IF THIS WAS COMMON EVEN IF IT DOES HAVE ALOT OF MILES AND HE SAID YES HE HAS SEEN THIS SEVERAL TIMES. THIS SCARED ME BECAUSE I WONDER IF THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE HAVE THIS HAPPEN AND WHERE KILLED IN A BAD CRASH AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT REALLY HAPPEN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA 2 TIMES BY E-MAIL BUT NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME.

NHTSA complaint #10318189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Lake Charles, LA Fire

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK 4X4. AFTER TURNING ON THE HEATER, LEAVES CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE OF HIS TRUCK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A LETTER WAS SENT ADVISING HIM THAT NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. UPDATED 01/27/10. *LJ SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK, THE CONSUMER NOTICED TREE LEAVES ENTERING THE MECHANICAL FAN CAGE. AFTER REMOVING THE LEAVES SEVERAL TIMES, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ALTERED AND WOULD NOT MAKE ANY MODIFICATIONS. OVER THE YEARS THE CONSUMER WOULD DILIGENTLY CLEAN THE SYSTEM 2-3 TIMES PER YEAR. AT TIMES HE COULD SMELL THE BURNING LEAVES WHEN OPERATING THE HEATER. WHEN THE LEAVES ACCUMULATE IN THE CAGE AND THE FAN IS ENERGIZED, THE MOVEMENT OF THE SMALL BLADES SPINNING AROUND THE LEAVES CREATES FRICTION CAUSING THE LEAVES TO IGNITE AND CATCH FIRE. UPDATED 01/28/10.

NHTSA complaint #10294872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Willsboro, NY

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM TOYOTA PERTAINING TO THE STEERING. HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE APPOINTMENT AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10231318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gastonia, NC

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

I HAVE A 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP WITH A SET OF FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRES IN SIZE 205/70R14. YESTERDAY WHILE ON THE WAY TO WORK ON I85 THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK BEGAN VIBRATING HORRIBLY AS IF IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE TIRES AND THEY ALL STILL HAD AIR IN THEM. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY BUT THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. AT THIS POINT I THOUGHT I HAD THROWN A WHEEL WEIGHT AND THE TIRE WAS OUT OF BALANCE. ABOUT 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS A LARGE POPPING NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A GAS STATION AND WHEN I DID I FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD A HUGE SECTION OF TREAD THAT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CARCAS, PROBABLY 25% AROUND THE TIRE. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I HAVE EVER HAD HAPPEN WITH ANOTHER TIRE IN 25 YEARS OF DRIVING. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND I FEEL LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T END UP HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. THESE TIRES STILL HAVE CONSIDERABLE TREAD LIFE IN THEM AND HAVE BEEN ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES AND I RUN 32 PSI IN THEM. THE TRUCK IS RARELY USED FOR HAULING ANYTHING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10199620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sevierville, TN

STEERING

RECALL NOTICE, CANNOT GET REPAIRED. DEALER WILL NOT RETURN CALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10174735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gresham, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY 1990 TOYOTA PICKUP WAS RECENTLY RECALLED. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 3/10/2006. I ASSUME THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE A NEW PROBLEM BECAUSE OF TAKING THIS IN. I HAVE A HUGE OIL LEAK, ENOUGH TO WHERE I HAVE TO ADD OIL NEARLY EVERY DAY. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS (( OR TO KEEP PUTTING IT IN JUST TO HAVE IN MAKE THE MESS IN MY GARAGE AND ALL OVER THE HIGHWAYS)). COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME? THIS THERE SOME KIND OF VEHICLE REPAIR ASSISTANCE? THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10155251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 183,000 miles Oceanside, CA

STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING

MY 1990 TOYOTA PICK-UP WAS RECALLED SSC 50N TO REPLACE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE NEAREST DEALER IS TWO HUNDRED MILES FROM THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL CENTER STATED THAT THIS RECALL MUST BE PERFORMED BY A TOYOTA DEALER. THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY TO FIX THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA COULD PROVIDE THE PARTS AND I ASSUME THE PRICE TO INSTALL THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10152610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reseda, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE HEAD GASKET RECALL BY TOYOTA, AS A RESULT THEY REPLACED THE ORGINAL ENGINE BLOCK DUE TO LEAKAGE OF COOLANT INTO THE CYLINDERS. AFTER APPROX. 45,000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING USING A CONNECTING ROD EXPLODED WITH NO APPARENT REASON. GIVING NO WARNING SIGNS OF ANY KIND. THE CONNECTING ROD EXPLODED WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PRODUCE A 3 INCH DIA. HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE BLOCK AND ESTABLISH A CRACK ALONG THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR. THIS EXPLOSION OCCURRED AT UNDER 35 MPH. I HAVE TALKED WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMERS RELATIONS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME TOYOTA ISN'T INTERESTED. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE INSIDE OF THE MOTOR THERE WERE NO VISIUAL REASONS FOR THE CONNECTION ROD TO BLOW UP OIL PUMP WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER WITH PLENTY OF OIL THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM MY CONCERNS ARE IF THIS CAN HAPPN IN THIS MOTOR AND TOYOTA HAS REPLACED THOUSANDS OF MOTORS IN THEIR HEAD GASKET RECALL, AND THERE WERE DEFECTIVE RODS INSTALLED IN THOSE MOTORS, AT A HIGHER VEHICLE SPEED, GIVEN THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION SOMEBODY AT SOME POINT IN TIME IS GOING TO GET HURT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN. DT

NHTSA complaint #768603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Petaluma, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

SINCE THIS TRUCK WAS NEW WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES. ONE OF THE TWO WHEELS LOCKS UP; CAUSING THE TRUCK TO PULL TO WHICHEVER SIDE IS LOCKING UP. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TRUCK TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES AND AFTER SPENDING $100.00 OR MORE THEY TELL ME THAT EVERY THING IS FINE. THE LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME IT IS BECAUSE IT IS A 1-TON TRUCK AND THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE TRUCK LOADED IS THE PROBLEM, AS THIS TRUCK WAS MADE TO CARRY A LOAD OF 1 TON. I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AS I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SHOES MADE IN THAT TIME FRAME. THIS DID SEAM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 TO SEVEN MONTHS. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND WE HAD ONCE AGAIN TRIED TO GET TOYOTA TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. THEY WILL AT MY EXPENSE, AND AFTER PAYING FOR THIS THE LAST TWO TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THIS AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON 1990 TOYOTA TRUCKS BUT NEVER A RECALL ITEM. I FEEL THIS IS A TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE ITEM AS IT IS A HAZARD ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM TIRED OF GETTING NO HELP ON THIS AND KNOW I CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW COMING TO YOU FOR SOME HELP IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #754161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ronkonkoma, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY ENGINE HAD A FAILURE OF ONE CYLINDER AND A LEAKING HEAD GASKET,THERE WAS A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN BY TOYOTA THAT WAS ISSUED IN DEC97 THAT EXTENDED MY WARRENTY TO 8 YEARS TO FIX THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM,THAT GAVE TOYOTA ONE MONTH TO NOTIFY ALL TRUCK OWNERS AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE SPECIAL EXTENSION EXPIRED,HOW BENEVOLENT.TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ENGINE FAILURE,EVEN THUOGH IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET,ANY HELP WOULD BE WELCOME.

NHTSA complaint #746291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Daly City, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA MOTOR COORPORATION THAT ONLY CERTAIN 3.0 LITER PICK UPS WERE RECALLED. MINE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. THERE ARE MANY TOYOTA PICKUPS WITH THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. WHY WAS MY TRUCK EXEMPT FROM THIS RECALL PROGRAM.

NHTSA complaint #742914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leeville, SC

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF SHOULDERS, AND NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE . TIRE WAS A B.F.GOODRICH, P21565R15, DOT BEVFNX71308. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #874506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsburg, VA

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

PE00 O20; CONSUMERWAS TRAVELING 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FIRESTONE AT THIS TIME. FIRESTONE FIRE HAWK #4410 P25575R15 108SM/S.

NHTSA complaint #872000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Summerfield, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET RECALL. TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER ALL DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #530708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Rock, PA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELT BUCKLES UNLATCH WITHOUT BEING RELEASED.

NHTSA complaint #516194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Bend, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #523041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berthoud, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FUEL LINE FAILED, CAUSING ODOR/FUMES TO ENTER INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT; ALSO REPLACED TIMING BELT/OIL SEAL THAT WAS PUT IN BACKWARDS.

NHTSA complaint #511730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berthoud, CO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL LINE FAILED, CAUSING ODOR/FUMES TO ENTER INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT; ALSO REPLACED TIMING BELT/OIL SEAL THAT WAS PUT IN BACKWARDS.

NHTSA complaint #511730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Bruno, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE IDLES ROUGH DUE TO CRACKED SPARK PLUG.

NHTSA complaint #506922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Bruno, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #506922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Cajon, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

LOOSE CRIMPED SPEEDOMETER TRANSMISSION CONNECTION IN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS CAUSED SENSORS IN SPEEDOMETER HOUSING/TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION, CAUSING ERRATIC SHIFTING.

NHTSA complaint #507509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hawthorne, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHES WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #801122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glenrock, PA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

MIDDLE LAP BELT WILL RELEASE THE DRIVER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELT. *AK MIDDLE STRAP CONNECTOR WILL HIT DRIVER RELEASE BUTTON WHEN ANY LATERAL MOVEMENT IS APPLIED TO VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #986832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.