FaultScore

Toyota Celica body problems

31 of the 520 complaints filed about the Toyota Celica are about the body and structure — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2000.

31

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

Body & Structure complaints by model year

1982 Celica 1 3.2%
1985 Celica 4 12.9%
1990 Celica 2 6.5%
1991 Celica 1 3.2%
1992 Celica 1 3.2%
1995 Celica 1 3.2%
1997 Celica 1 3.2%
1998 Celica 2 6.5%
1999 Celica 1 3.2%
2000 Celica 6 19.4%
2001 Celica 5 16.1%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2002 Celica 4 12.9%

Median failure at 76,500 miles

2003 Celica 2 6.5%

Median failure at 12,857 miles

What owners said

2001 Toyota Celica at 210,000 miles Newport News, VA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #11156009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Toyota Celica at 118,000 miles Cowpens, SC Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

DAUGHTER (17) LOST CONTROL OF CAR IN A CURVE DUE TO WET ROADS AND SPEED. THE CAR SPUN THEN STRUCK A TREE HEAD ON. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE IMPACT WAS GREAT ENOUGH TO BUST THE RADIATOR AND KILL THE MOTOR BUT NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER (15) WAS IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. BOTH GIRLS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10510939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Toyota Celica at 25,684 miles Cincinnati, OH

STRUCTURE

PURCHASED NEW 2003 CELICA GTS. FROM DEALER. 26,398 MILES PAINT BUBBLING ON ALL WHEELS. DEALER/FACTORY REP. WOULD NOT REPLACE WHEELS. REPAINTED INSTEAD AND STATED " THEY WOULD REPLACE IF ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN. 42,197 MILES PAINT BUBBLING AGAIN ON ALL WHEELS. FACTORY REP. REFUSED TO REPLACE/REPAIR." DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE EITHER.

NHTSA complaint #10230199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Toyota Celica at 30 miles Murfreesboro, TN

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CELICA AND THE HATCHBACK WILL NOT STAY UP. TOYOTA HAS TRIED TO FIX IT, BUT FINALLY SAID TOUGH LUCK, THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS AND I FEEL THIS IS WRONG.

NHTSA complaint #10149013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Toyota Celica at 30,000 miles Orlando, FL 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

REAR HATCH CLOSES BY ITSELF. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT REPORTED WHILE STILL IN WARRANTY.THE SUPPORT ARMS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE HATCH .THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH STRONGER ONES.THE HATCH COMES DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD CAUSE INJURY SUCH AS SMASH HANDS OR FINGERS OF CHILDREN ESPECIALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10134254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Toyota Celica East Norwich, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

BELT TENSIONER SQUEALS AND MAKES NOISE AS EVIDENCED SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF MILES AGO ( CURRENTLY 46K MILES), ESPECIALLY WHEN HUMID, AND WILL EVENTUALLY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DEC. 2000. WHY IS THIS A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH CONTINUALLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED??

NHTSA complaint #10114466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Toyota Celica at 35,000 miles EL Monte, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

,FRONT GRILL OF MY 2002 TOYOTA CELICA GTS FELL OFF. ALSO THE PLASTIC THAT'S ON THE BOTTOM FRONT WAS SCRAPING ON THE FLOOR. I RIPPED OFF THE PART OF PLASTIC THAT WAS DRAGGING ON THE FLOOR AND I HAVEN'T REPLACED THE GRILL.

NHTSA complaint #10112420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Toyota Celica Rego Park, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

VEHICLE LEAKS ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN IT RAINS. NOTHING NOTICEABLE ON WEATHERSTRIP OF DOOR

NHTSA complaint #10096122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Toyota Celica Colorado Springs, CO

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PAINT SHOP FOR A PAINT JOB. TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE TWO PILLAR ATTACHMENTS FOR THE ROOF WERE BONDED TOGETHER BY GLUE. TECHNICIAN WOULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10075595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Toyota Celica Needham, MA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

REAR HATCH BACK LIFTER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10064315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1982 Toyota Celica LOS Angeles, CA Crash 3 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

SOMEONE NEEDS TO TELL OFF. [XXX] THERE ARE PENALTIES FOR FILING A FALSE POLICE REPORT. MY NAME IS [XXX]. ON 23 OCT 03 1530 HRS I WAS DRIVING E ON W. WASH. BLVD. AND INTO THE L T/L INTO THE INTERSECTION WHILE THE ARROW WAS G. TRAFFIC KEPT ME FROM TURNING UNTIL THE LIGHT WAS R. WHILE TURNING THE LIGHT FLASHED FROM ONE OF 4 CAMERAS AND A WEST BOUND DRIVER RAN THE RED LIGHT AT 70 MPH, DIDN'T TRY TO STOP AND B/S MY CAR BEHIND THE PASS. D/P, SPINNING MY CAR UNTIL IT WAS FACING THE SOUTH EAST CORNER OF THAT INTERSECTION. THE S B/L OF BEETHOVEN ST. WAS OCC. BY A 1 TN VAN THAT WAS STOPPED, WAITING TO TURN R AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED G. IT WASN'T DAMAGED. THE DRIVER LEFT HIS VAN, APPROACHED ME AND SAID "GET YOUR [XXX] OUT OF MY WAY!". I SAID I HAD TO STAY THERE UNTIL THE POLICE ARRIVED. WHEN THEY DID THE OFF ASKED ME WHAT HAPPENED. I TOLD HIM EVERYTHING I STARTED THIS MESSAGE WITH. THE OFF TOLD THE PM I'M A VET (WITHOUT LOOKING IN MY WALLET) AND TAKE ME TO THE VA. HE DIDN'T ASK ME WHERE I WANTED MY VEHICLE TOWED TO(UNLIKE WHAT IS STATED IN THE REPORT) OR LOOK AT THE REG. AND INS. CARD, BUT DID ASK ABOUT MY NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND IF I WAS INJURED. THE REPORT STATES I'M THE OWNER, CA [XXX](NOT); MY INSURANCE AGENT IS MERCURY (NOT), IT'S 21ST CENTURY, POLICY #[XXX]; MY CAR WAS FACING NW AFTER THE ACCIDENT(NOT); THE VAN WAS [XXX]. ON THE L SIDE(NOT); MY CAR WAS DAM. ON THE R SIDE(NOT); THE OTHER DRIVER DIDN'T RUN THE R LIGHT, I TURNED L INTO OC TRAFFIC ON A Y LIGHT AND I CAUSED THE ACCIDENT(NOT). THE POLICE DIDN'T TAKE PHOTOS OF THE ACCIDENT SCENE. I TOLD THE P/M ABOUT THE CHEST, HEAD, NECK, LOWER BACK AND L ARM PAIN. WHEN I WENT TO CULVER CITY PD TO PICK UP THE REPORT I ASKED TO GET A COPY OF THE PHOTO AND THE OFF. SAID THERE WASN'T ONE. MY INSURANCE AGENT SAID I HAVE TO DISCUSS REPORT WITH THE OFFICER WHO FILED IT," IT IS SOLELY THE BUSINESS BETWEEN YOU AND THAT POLICE OFFICER." I DON'T AGREE. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10045117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Toyota Celica Austin, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

THE REAR WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE WAS DESIGNED SUCH THAT RAISING AND LOWERING THE AUTOMATIC TOP WAS NOT GIVEN ENOUGH CLEARANCE. AS A RESULT THE BACK WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY RUBS AGAINST THE SHARP TOP OF THE REAR SEAT UPON OPENING AND CLOSING. THIS CAUSES THE REAR WINDOW TO DISENGAGE FROM THE GLUE THAT ADHERES IT IN PLACE AND CONSEQUENTLY FALL OUT. MANY REPORTS HAVE BEEN FILED TO TOYOTA DEALERS AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER ANY SUCH DEFECTS. THE ONLY SOLUTION THEY PROPOSE IS TAKING THE CAR TO A THIRD PARTY AUTO TOP REPAIR SERVICE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE WINDOW REPLACED FOR A FEE OF $700 DOLLARS.

NHTSA complaint #10041724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Toyota Celica at 20,000 miles Reisterstown, MD

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

STRUTS HOLDING UP REAR HATCH FAILURE, CAUSING HATCH TO COME DOWM

NHTSA complaint #10002724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Toyota Celica Ocala, FL Crash

STRUCTURE

CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE, CONSUMER FEELS FOR SUCH A MINOR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE OTHER VEHICLE SUFFERED NO DAMAGE , THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE INCURRED SO MUCH DAMAGE, ALSO THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #568475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Toyota Celica Farmington, NY 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, BUT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MAYBE I NEEDED TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED? DT

NHTSA complaint #770391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Toyota Celica Rancho Cucamonga, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES IN THE CAR THREW A ROD, CRACKED THE BLOCK, SHEARDS OF METAL THRU OIL PAN & WATER COOLANT SYSTEM. ALSO ROD DENTED HOOD SO BODY WORK BEING REQUIRED. OVER $5500 DAMAGE ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR! MR

NHTSA complaint #767839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Toyota Celica Lawrenceville, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS WHEN WASHED. ALSO THE PINS THAT HOLD THE TOP TOGETHER HAVE COME APART.

NHTSA complaint #764636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Toyota Celica Highland Park, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

OPENING OF TRUNK - LID HINGE SNAPPED IN HALF LIKE METAL FATIGUE. TOYOTA DEALER SAID THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL CAR HINGES REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE: $207.00 QUOTED.

NHTSA complaint #762127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Toyota Celica Alhamdra, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH BOTTOM OF VEHICLE WAS SCRAPPING. MECHANIC STATED SHIELD THAT PROTECTS WIRES/ FUEL LINES, AND HOSE CAME OFF /LOOSENED, CAUSING EXPENSIVE DAMAGE TO AIR CONDITIONER VALVE, WHICH WAS NOT FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA complaint #8003798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Toyota Celica Winter Garden, FL

STRUCTURE

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES,THEY MAKE A LOUD NOISE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATE THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER IN THE CAR WASN'T BRING IN ENOUGH AIR.

NHTSA complaint #8002583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Toyota Celica problems