Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 17 | typical | 1 | Fuel System | Average |
| 2002 | 29 | 2.3× | 1 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2001 | 47 | 2.6× | 1 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2000 | 106 | 7.1× | 2 | Engine | Avoid |
| 1999 | 10 | −54% | 1 | Wheel & Tire | Good |
| 1998 | 5 | −71% | 1 | Body | Good |
| 1997 | 8 | −54% | — | Window & Wiper | Good |
| 1996 | 9 | −43% | — | Acceleration | Good |
| 1995 | 22 | 1.6× | — | Airbag | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median Celica year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Toyota Celica problems
Latest Toyota Celica recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a resistor, which will decrease the luminous intensity of the drl. The recall began on March 16, 2005. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder and, if necessary, replace the brake master cylinder and booster. The recall began on November 29, 2004. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371.
Fuel system, gasoline
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 fueling.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the fuel tank check valve. Owner notification began April 4, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Toyota Celica should you avoid?
2000, 2001, 2002 and 1995 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Celica years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2000.
What is the best year for the Toyota Celica?
1998 has the fewest complaints compared with other Celica years at the same age, followed by 1997 and 1999. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Toyota Celica problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (75), air bags (36) and transmission & drivetrain (32). Engine complaints peak in the 2000 model year.
How many recalls has the Toyota Celica had?
4 recalls across 1995–2003. The model year with the most is 2000. See all Toyota Celica recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.