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1990 Toyota Pickup problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Toyota Pickup is engine and cooling. It has 3.6 times the complaints of a typical Pickup model year.

Typical year3.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
25
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
24
Worst area
Engine

The worst 1990 Toyota Pickup problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    9
  • Electrical
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Tires
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    9
  • Electrical
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Tires
    3
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 1

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connectingReported September 6, 2005 · 977,839 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V389000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1990 Toyota Pickup

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Toyota Pickup 24

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 24 bulletins for the 1990 Toyota Pickup

What 1990 Toyota Pickup owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 28, 2018 · Body · 40,000 miles · MO

Excessive frame rusting.

Filed Apr 8, 2010 · Electrical · MS

1990 toyota pick up electronic controls *gr the consumer stated sometimes his truck will not start.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Transmission · 244,300 miles · WI

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.

Filed Dec 8, 2009 · Visibility · 147,000 miles · LA · fire

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.

Filed Jun 17, 2008 · Steering · NY

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.

Filed Aug 15, 2007 · Tires · NC

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.

Filed Nov 29, 2006 · Steering · TN

Recall notice, cannot get repaired. Dealer will not return calls.

Filed Apr 12, 2006 · Engine · OR

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.

Filed Mar 13, 2006 · Steering · 183,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Oct 18, 2002 · Engine · CA

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

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1990 Toyota Pickup

Is the 1990 Toyota Pickup reliable?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1990 Toyota Pickup, 3.6 times a typical Pickup model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Toyota Pickup?

Engine and cooling, with 9 complaints. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 1990 Toyota Pickup have?

1 recall, covering steering.

What year does the Toyota Pickup have bad engine?

The Toyota Pickup model years with the most engine complaints are 1994 (16 complaints), 1992 (13 complaints) and 1991 (10 complaints).

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