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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2005

Toyota Celica recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 261 owner complaints for the Toyota Celica, covering model years 1995 to 2005. The 2000 model year drew the most complaints (106), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Toyota Celica VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 261 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 11 model years with data (1995–2005)
  • most complaints: 2000 (106 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (61 complaints)
  • latest recall 20V033000 (reported Jan 22, 2020)
  • 47 complaints reporting a crash (18.0%)
  • 3 complaints reporting a fire (1.1%)
  • 29 complaints reporting an injury (11.1%)
  • 3 complaints reporting a death (1.1%)

Toyota Celica complaints by model year

11 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2000 model year has the most complaints: 106 of 261, or 40.6%. Next come 2001 (47) and 2002 (29). The fewest are for 2005, with 4 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Toyota Celica owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2005Column chart of 261 complaints across 11 model years. The highest is 2000 with 106. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 22 complaints2219951996: 9 complaints919961997: 8 complaints819971998: 5 complaints519981999: 10 complaints1019992000: 106 complaints10620002001: 47 complaints4720012002: 29 complaints2920022003: 17 complaints1720032004: 4 complaints420042005: 4 complaints42005
Toyota Celica complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Toyota Celica complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995227061
199692020
199781110
199850000
1999100000
200010613282
2001477030
20022913060
2003171010
200440000
200543020
All model years261473293

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Toyota Celica components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 61 complaints (23.4% of all 261), followed by Air Bags (37) and Power Train (33).

Components named most often in Toyota Celica complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Toyota Celica complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling6123.4%
Air Bags3714.2%
Power Train3312.6%
Vehicle Speed Control2610.0%
Structure228.4%
Tires166.1%
Engine145.4%
Fuel System, Gasoline135.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic135.0%
Electrical System103.8%
Seat Belts103.8%
Visibility103.8%
Suspension83.1%
Exterior Lighting62.3%
Steering62.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Toyota Celica recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Celica, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 1998 to 2005. The 2000 model year appears in the most campaigns (2).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Toyota Celica recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
1998: 1 campaign1999: 1 campaign
2000: 2 campaigns2001: 1 campaign2002: 1 campaign2003: 1 campaign2004: no campaigns2005: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 20V033000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 1998–1999

    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 to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.
    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. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based on the inspection, dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate one, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall is 20TB01 and 20TA01.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  2. NHTSA campaign 10V035000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2005

    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 capacity modification labels.

    Consequence:
    This does not meet the standard requirements.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states Toyota at 713-580-3300.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  3. NHTSA campaign 04V566000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights

    Model years 2000–2001

    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.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  4. NHTSA campaign 04V455000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder

    Model year 2000

    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.

    Consequence:
    In this condition, brake fluid may leak from the seal, or a small amount of air may enter the master cylinder, which could lead to an increase of vehicle stopping distance.
    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.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  5. NHTSA campaign 03V074000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    Model years 2002–2003

    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.

    Consequence:
    This condition may result a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
    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 the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Toyota Celica questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Toyota Celica have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Toyota Celica, covering model years 1995 to 2005. The most recent, 20V033000, was reported on January 22, 2020 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2000 model year is covered by the most campaigns (2).

Which Toyota Celica model year has the most complaints?

The 2000 model year, with 106 of the 261 complaints in NHTSA’s file (40.6%). The next are 2001 (47) and 2002 (29). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Toyota Celica complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 61 complaints, or 23.4% of all 261. Air Bags (37) and Power Train (33) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Toyota Celica?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Toyota dealer.

How many Toyota Celica complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 261 complaints, 47 report a crash, 3 a fire, 29 at least one injury and 3 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Toyota models

8 models · most complaints first

The Toyota models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Toyota VIN decoder with every Toyota model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Toyota models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.