Selling an old or non-running Toyota Cressida

Toyota's rear-drive six-cylinder sedan drew very few complaints. NHTSA holds 41 for the 1984-1992 model years, so read each pattern below as a handful of owner stories, not a trend.

Three generations in NHTSA's file

• 1984 (X60): the final year of the second generation, as a sedan or wagon. A 2.8-liter six with a five-speed manual or an electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The EPA rated the automatic at 18 mpg city and 22 highway.
• 1985-1988 (X70): the MX73 sedan and MX72 wagon, built at Toyota's Motomachi plant in Toyota City. Still a 2.8-liter six, up to 161 hp by 1988. The automatic became the A340E for 1987, the wagon ended that year, and the 1988 came only as an automatic.
• 1989-1992 (X80): the MX83, also from Motomachi, with a 3.0-liter 7M-GE straight six rated 190 hp and a standard four-speed automatic. Toyota dropped the Cressida after 1992, and the Avalon took over part of its role from 1995.

What owners and recalls point to

Two recalls, both on the 1984

Recall 83V133 (December 1983) replaced alternator voltage regulators whose integrated circuit could overcharge the battery. Its 48,737 vehicles include 1984 Camrys, Corollas, Supras and Toyota vans. Recall 84V108 (September 1984) swapped oil pressure senders that could leak oil or, under high heat and pressure, let the engine lock up; its 74,275 vehicles include the 1984 Supra. No later Cressida appears in NHTSA's recall list.

Head gaskets after overheating

Engine and cooling is the most-named component, with 11 complaints. A 1989 owner reported a cracked cylinder head and head gasket, along with air conditioning that kept failing. A 1991 owner described a gasket that let go after the engine overheated, and said a 1982 and a 1990 Cressida had done the same. We found no Toyota campaign for it.

Seat belts, sudden acceleration and three fires

Seat belts come next, with 7. On the 1989, two owners say the driver's belt did not hold them in a collision and a third says it would not latch. Acceleration terms turn up in 5 complaint listings across 1985-1988; a 1986 owner says the car took off when shifted into drive and crashed, injuring people. The file also logs three fire reports: one on a 1985 and two on 1991s.

Complaints and recalls by year

From NHTSA's flat files, October 10, 2026. No deaths are reported for any year.

Worth fixing at this age?

Price the job in writing, then check what running Cressidas of the same year bring. If the quote is close to that figure, or the shop can't source the parts, selling it whole is the easier road. Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall site either way; it costs nothing. Thinking of selling it off in pieces instead? Our guide on whether to part it out or sell it whole compares the two.

Selling the Cressida whole

1. Note the VIN and mileage, and whether it's the sedan or the wagon.
2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where it sits, whether that's a barn, a garage or the curb out front, and whether it rolls.
4. Sell it complete. The engine, wheels and converter should stay on; flag anything already removed.
5. On pickup day, sign the Cressida's title over and show a photo ID. Lost title? See junk car with no title. For plates, after you sell has each state's rule.