Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Toyota Celica Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns across the Toyota Celica, 1982–2005. Owners have filed 413 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2000 drew the most (106) and the 2004 the fewest (4).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Toyota Celica complaints by model year

413 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 2004 · 4 complaints
  • 2005 · 4 complaints
  • 1998 · 5 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2000 · 106 complaints
  • 2001 · 47 complaints
  • 2002 · 29 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1996–2005. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Toyota Celica owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1996199719981999200020012002200320042005
Engine and engine cooling 001041144100
Power train 00012053110
Air bags 01119411201
Vehicle speed control 40001171111
Structure 0121654200
Tires 0113241102
Service brakes 3100422110
Engine 0000580100

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Toyota Celica recalls (7)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Celica model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Toyota Celica
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
20V033000Jan 22, 2020Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag1998, 199913.4%
10V035000Feb 3, 2010LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS2005—
04V566000Nov 29, 2004TOYOTA/FMVSS 108/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS2000, 2001—
04V455000Sep 17, 2004TOYOTA/BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER2000—
03V074000Mar 5, 2003TOYOTA/FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE2002, 2003—
90V078000Apr 20, 1990INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:AIR BAG CHARGE1990—
86V132000Oct 2, 1986EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL1982—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

199219–25 mpg
199319–25 mpg
199423–26 mpg
199522–27 mpg
199621–27 mpg
199722–28 mpg
199822–23 mpg
199922–23 mpg
200023–27 mpg
200123–28 mpg
200223–28 mpg
200323–28 mpg
200424–28 mpg
200524–28 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Toyota Celica FAQ

How many recalls has the Toyota Celica had?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns that cover at least one Toyota Celica model year from 1982 to 2005. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Toyota Celica year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2000 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (106) and the 2004 the fewest (4). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Toyota Celica problems?

Across the 1996–2005 model years, owners most often name the engine and engine cooling, power train, air bags in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Toyota Celica get?

EPA rates the 2005 Toyota Celica at 24 to 28 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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