Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota Celica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica. The contact stated that his vehicle burns at least a quart of oil every 500 miles with no signs of leakage. There is a recall on the 1999 Celica, but not for the 2000 models. The contact also stated that the vehicle's master cylinder was recalled. He was previously involved in a crash due to brake failure. The dealer stated that the master cylinder was operating normally, however the brake fuel was contaminated. The insurance company stated that he was 100% liable. Toyota stated that the master cylinder was working properly and he believed that Toyota should be at least 50% responsible and should pay for the crash and failure expenses. The current mileage is 120,000 and failure mileage was 70,000. The engine size is not available.
My 2000 Celica gt-s (bought new) has exhibited a squealing from the engine compartmrnt since about 12,000 miles. A pulley belt tensioner and the belt have been completey replaced at least 5 times (I lost count), as well as "repaired" by Toyota at least 3 additonal times. In June 2003, at about 72,000 miles, 2 months afetr I had taken the car to the dealer for yet another repair of this item, the entire assembly failed when the connector colt sheared off at the engine block, requiring the engine to be removed to drill out the bolt and remount the assembly. This was fixed, luckily, under my extended warranty, althought the bill was listed as $1271. The entire unit was replaced again yesterday, March 18, 2004 only 9 months since the last rebuild. The assembly has yet to last more than 9 months without breaking, so is always fixed under the repair's 1-year warranty. …
Problem: my engine is burning excessive amounts of oil. Eventually I will have to replace the engine. On October 2007 I bought a used 2000 Toyota Celica gt. In December 27, 2007 the check oil light went on. In November 2008, engine would not start in the morning. I had just had an oil change about 1,000 miles before this day. This morning I found out all the oil burned out and there was no oil in the car, so I added oil. I visited the dealer and they explained away the problem, stating they suspect the guy who changed my oil simply forgot to add oil. Come on - how could I drive 2,000 miles with no oil into he engine? In December the car stalled an engine light came on. I pulled over and checked the oil level to find there was no oil in the pan and when I added oil it leaked out. I towed the car to the dealer. They said they found a hole in the oil pan, so they replaced the oil pan. …
This is a 3rd engine !!!!! When I got this car in 2008 it was already knocking from dealership. Soon rod bearings blew out and entire engine had to be replaced, these engines are very poor design that oil starve to death. After replacing engine they only last ya few years. 2010 second engine same thing started loosing oil not from leaking but from consumption. Shortly after started knocking and right after spun the rod bearing and damaged engine again. These 1zzfe engines have very poor circulation of oil and only will take specific oil products because of very weak oil pump. So on my 3rd engine and guess what ?! Knocking !! After all trouble with this I have over paid what this car is worth by a ton with engine replacements because dealership can't find the cause. I am a father and commute 100mi to work and back everyday and these engines are the worst. They oil starve and die. …
This is for a automatic gts model. When driving at a speed say 40 MPH to a redlight stop, the engine RPM gets really unstable and then shortly stalls, meaning have to park the car and restart the engine on an automatic car. Engine light May or May not lit up/ store a code after restarting engine. Diagnosis from dealership is no problem most of the time, except recently having a detection of problem with the mass air flow sensor. The sensor was replaced but the same problem remains. The car has been properly maintained throughout, and the stalling occurs throughout the past 7 years consistently. Dealer is not willing to look into the problem because stalling occurances couldn't be duplicated. I have tried bringing the vehicle back to dealer for inspection about 6 times, however, there's no resolution.
I have a 2000 gt. Bought it used, 3 weeks after owning it starts using about 1/2 - 1 qt. Of oil a week. So take it to a Toyota dealership and they say our best bet is to have the engine re-built which cost $1,500! So the engine is re-built everything is fine for about a month then it starts using oil again and by this time there's no warranty. So I continued to keep driving checking and adding oil. 5 months later I'm driving down the highway the temp. Gauge goes all the way to hot and drops right back down. A couple of days later the engine blows up. After having a new engine put in it, engine costing $2,000 for a used engine. The temp. Gauge does this again... Come to find out air is in the coolant system and Toyota never got it all out the first time and that's why it blew up.
2000-02 Toyota Celica 1zz-fe engine suffers from excessive oil burning which can cause engine damage at highway speeds which can lean do accident. I own a 2000 Celica and my car burns a lot of oil, I have to add oil every time I fill up my car, its not good for the engine, my wallet and the environment Toyota issued a service bulletin in europe but does not want to fix the same problems in USA. Please, we need you help very much. Here is some info on the problem: Toyota of europe serve bulletin on 1zz-fe engine (same engine as in USA Celica and corolla) 1) http://Toyota-club.net/files/07-01-10/eg6020-toy.pdf description of the problem 2)http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/214788/toyota_engine_woes.html thank you very much
Toyota dealer diagnosed an oil consumption problem and smoke bellowing out of the exhaust. They found oil gelling in the valve cover and spark plugs contaminated. We received a printed document from Toyota stating repairs needed and sent the car out for repairs. We were able to take pictures of the whole procedure and have receipts/documentation to prove. We replaced everything that Toyota recommended. We drove the car and two days later smoke began bellowing out of the exhaust and the spark plugs were becoming sooty. We believe we have the defective 1zz-fed engine that has plagued Toyota with oil consumption and sludge issues. We have a Toyota warranty that ends July of 2007 and Toyota will not warranty the issue.
I was driving in heavy traffic at a speed of 15 to 20 miles per hour when I heard a sound as if a chain was dragging on the ground. I then realized that my car had shutdown, I pushed the car off the roadway to the shoulder and opened the hood to see a hole in my engine and broken parts and oil strewn in the engine compartment. The motor failed at 60489 miles for no apparent reason. I called the dealer from where the car was purchased and they were unwilling to service the car. I then found another dealer to take the car in for service after having the car in their shop for four days they call me to come and pick up the car without completing the needed repairs.
My yearmodel 2000 Toyota Celica has consistently and repeatedly had problems with the drive belt tensioner mechanism. On or about every 30,000 miles, the belt tensioner fails at which time rattling and squeaking noises eminate from the engine compartment as described in TSB #eg01401. I was able to have the tensioner replaced under warranty once. The next time it was replaced out of warranty at about 60 - 70,000 miles. Now the vehicle has 90,000 miles on it and it is obvious that this part has failed again. I am concerned that the repeated and consistent failure of this part is putting my life and my passengers life at risk.
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Engine complaints in other Celica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Toyota Celica?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Toyota Celica, 43% of the model year's 106 complaints. The component named most often is engine (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Celica engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Toyota Celica, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Celica engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.