Most common 1998 Toyota Celica problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Celica complaints by model year
Best Celica years: 1998, 1997, 1999. Years to avoid: 2000, 2001, 2002, 1995. Compare all years →
1998 Toyota Celica recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Toyota Celica:
Engine seizure
1998 Toyota Celica engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Toyota Celica a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Celica rates better than average: 71% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Celica at the same age. It is one of the best Celica years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Toyota Celica?
The body & structure — 2 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body › hood. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (1) and engine & cooling (1).
How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Celica have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Toyota Celica, the most recent from January 22, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Celica?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998, 1997 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 2001, 2002 and 1995. See the full Toyota Celica years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Celica problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 188,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.