Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2002 Celica gt is consuming 3/4 of a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Toyota says that there is not a problem that it must consumer 1 quart every 1200 mile to OK a engine teardown for repair. My car is on track to use 2.63 quarts of oil every oil change of 3500 miles. The recommended interval by the dealer. The car only holds 4.2 quarts of oil. This is a loss of more than half of the engines oil. Toyota says that this engine will burn some oil. I have spoke with service center said that this is not normal but their hands are tied, due to Toyota's consumption policy. I have taken this to the regional zone manager with no success. I believe this to be a danger for myself and others if this engine was to freeze up due to lack of oil, it cause a serious accident. I was not informed when I bought the car that it would consume oil and that it need to be checked regularly. Dt
As soon as I bought my car in May 2017, I realized that my car was running out of oil super fast. I checked to see if there were any leaks or problems, but there were none. To this day dec 2018 I've spent about 2K on oil alone. I know there was a recall on this particular problem in the celicas. I recently went to a Toyota dealership and they told me that my car was not qualified to even be considered for the recall. I had got into a accident with a deer about a couple of months ago and my insurance totaled my car out. There was only damage to my hood, headlights, and my bumper. I bought the car back from them, but all in all nothing was wrong with my car internally. I really can't afford oil every week but I do love this car. If there is anything you guys can do/help with I'd appreciate it.
Since the recalls have came out for the Celica oil issues my wife has been trying to get a solution from Toyota. Toyota claims that her car is not part of the issue however TSB eg 6020 her car is a part of the issue. I also want to point out that there is no difference of the cars that were recalled and hers they all have the same engine same parts. So bottom line she should of been taking car of by Toyota and the engine replaced. She now has a car that is about to catch on fire and not able to drive and for years she has been trying to get answers and pushed away. We are asking that you look into the parts of the engines that were recalled and her parts. You will see there all the same. She paid 22,000 for this car and has had nothing but trouble. Im just glad the car did not catch fire while she was driving.
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. …
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Celica years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (46) and 2001 (22) model years. Engine complaints make up 43% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Toyota Celica engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Toyota Celica model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Celica engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (25 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (12).
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.