Toyota Celica Problems by Year
NHTSA has 261 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the Toyota Celica, across 11 model years (1995–2005). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (106). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
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Toyota Celica years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Celica year: 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 Celica: 106 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2001 Celica: 47 complaints, 1 recall
- 2002 Celica: 29 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2004 Celica: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2005 Celica: 4 complaints, 1 recall
- 1998 Celica: 5 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Toyota Celica problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 61 | 5 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 37 | 9 | 30 |
| Power Train | 33 | 7 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 26 | 7 | 5 |
| Structure | 22 | 8 | 3 |
| Tires | 16 | 9 | 2 |
| Engine | 14 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 13 | 6 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 | 6 | 6 |
| Electrical System | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Suspension | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Toyota Celica model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Celica | 4 | 1 | — | Tires | |
| 2004 Celica | 4 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2003 Celica | 17 | 1 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | More complaints than other years |
| 2002 Celica | 29 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 Celica | 47 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 Celica | 106 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 Celica | 10 | 1 | — | Tires | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1998 Celica | 5 | 1 | — | Structure | |
| 1997 Celica | 8 | 0 | — | Visibility | |
| 1996 Celica | 9 | 0 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1995 Celica | 22 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Toyota: all Toyota models · Toyota VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Celica years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (22), 2000 (106), 2001 (47), 2002 (29) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Celica year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Toyota Celica?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 61 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Toyota Celica have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.