US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

Toyota Celica recalls and complaints by year

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Toyota Celica, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 13
Total Complaints 520
Years Covered 1972–2005

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Toyota Celica, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Airbags

2 campaigns · Years: 1990, 1998–1999

These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.

Official notices (evidence):

Visibility and lighting

2 campaigns · Years: 1972–1973, 2000–2001

These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).

Official notices (evidence):

Brakes

1 campaign · Years: 2000

These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 04V455000 · Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder

Electrical

1 campaign · Years: 1980

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 80V045000 · Electrical system: Alternator/generator/regulator

Equipment and labeling

1 campaign · Years: 2005

These campaigns relate to equipment compliance, labeling, or tires.

Official notices (evidence):

Fuel and emissions

1 campaign · Years: 2002–2003

These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Other

1 campaign · Years: 1982

These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Toyota Celica in NHTSA complaint data are Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2005 1 4 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires:sidewall, Tires, Vehicle speed control.
2004 0 4 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Power train:manual transmission.
2003 1 21 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch.
2002 1 37 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Air bags, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
2001 1 55 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control.
2000 2 130 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys.
1999 1 11 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt, Seat belts, Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly.
1998 1 8 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1997 0 10 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:glass, side/rear, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator, Tires:tread/belt.
1996 0 10 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control:cruise control, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system:ignition.
1995 0 25 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Visibility:windshield, Air bags.
1994 0 24 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Air bags.
1993 0 18 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor, Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1992 0 24 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Seat belts:front:retractor, Vehicle speed control.
1991 0 35 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Seat belts:front:anchorage, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system.
1990 1 34 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Air bags, Equipment:appliance:air conditioner.
1989 0 16 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Electrical system, Electrical system:ignition.
1988 0 10 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Seat belts:front:retractor.
1987 0 6 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Seats:front assembly:recliner, Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal.
1986 0 9 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery.
1985 0 9 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:roof and pillars, Steering:linkages, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly.
1984 0 3 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Tires:tread/belt.
1983 0 3 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:anchorage, Seat belts:front:retractor, Tires.
1982 1 4 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:anchorage, Seat belts:front:retractor, Structure:body.
1980 1 2 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
1979 0 3 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Suspension:rear.
1978 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seats.
1977 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control.
1974 0 3 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft.
1973 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1972 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Air bags , Fuel system and Exterior lighting

Show recall evidence by year

2005

  • Equipment: Labels: Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (10V035000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying ca

2003

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V074000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank check valve, located in the fuel tank inlet pipe, may become separated from the inlet pipe and fall into the fuel tank. If the check valve falls into the tank, fuel may spill from the fuel inlet pipe when the fuel pump automatically shuts off during fu

2002

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V074000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank check valve, located in the fuel tank inlet pipe, may become separated from the inlet pipe and fall into the fuel tank. If the check valve falls into the tank, fuel may spill from the fuel inlet pipe when the fuel pump automatically shuts off during fu

2001

  • Exterior lighting: Headlights: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (04V566000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, 'Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.' The luminous intensity of the daytime running lamp (drl) will be modified to meet the standard requirements.

2000

  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (04V455000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Certain passenger vehicles have the possibility that the recess retains a rubber seal ring, which is located at the end of the cylinder body, and may be corroded due to an improper washing process.
  • Exterior lighting: Headlights: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (04V566000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, 'Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.' The luminous intensity of the daytime running lamp (drl) will be modified to meet the standard requirements.

1999

  • Air bags: Inflator module: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (20V033000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due

1998

  • Air bags: Inflator module: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (20V033000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due

1990

  • Air bags: Inflator module: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (90V078000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Air bag inflator case was incorrectly machined.

1982

  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (86V132000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Soldered terminals of the cruise control computer may develop cracks due to improper application of the coating to the printed circuit board. Consequence of defect: continued use of cruise control could lead to complete separation of soldered terminals and circuit failure; engine speed would inst

1980

  • Electrical system: Alternator/generator/regulator: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (80V045000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Due to a faulty press die used in manufacturing alternator pulleys, pulleys installed on certain vehicles may crack and break during vehicle operation. The battery would then be constantly drained without recharging.

1973

  • Visibility: Heater core: Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (78V017000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Heater hoses on the involved vehicles may have been damaged during installation, resulting in shorter service life.

1972

  • Visibility: Heater core: Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (78V017000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Heater hoses on the involved vehicles may have been damaged during installation, resulting in shorter service life.

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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