Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1990 Toyota Tercel
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
834.8%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
417.4%
Seats
28.7%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Seat Belts
28.7%
Brakes
28.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
28.7%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Other & Unspecified
14.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 76,000 mi
Lights
14.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 1995peak 3Feb 2010
Recalls on the 1990 Toyota Tercel
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199208682,334 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.108 - LIGHTING. REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WITH OTHER THAN KOITO BRAND BULBS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO MEET THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: HEADLIGHT BULBS WILL BE INSPECTED AND NON-KOITO BULBS REPLACED WITH KOITO BULBS. ALSO CAUTION LABELS TO BE PLACED ON THE HEADLIGHT WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 76,000 milesNorth Hills, CACrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN APRIL 2004, MY TOYOTA TERCEL ACCELERATED FROM 05 TO APPROXIMATELY 90MPH IN A PARKING LOT, CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND TOTALED MY CAR. ANOTHER PROBLEM WAS THE BRAKE PEDAL. EVEN AFTER CHANGING TO NEW BRAKE PADS, SHOES, BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS, THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL DROPPED LOW TO THE FLOOR THAT IT FELT THAT I WAS PUSHING THE FLOOR WHEN I BRAKE. I HAD SEVERAL ACCELERATION INCIDENTS. EVEN WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY AND CONTINUOUSLY, THE CAR KEPT GOING. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND STICKY BRAKE PEDAL PROBLEMS WERE NEVER SOLVED. I WROTE THE TRIPLE A/AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SO. CA INSURANCE ABOUT THESE ISSUES REGARDING MY ACCIDENT BUT WAS IGNORED.
NHTSA complaint #10307131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE FOLLOWING IS A DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS WHICH LEAD TO MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER-HEATING AND CATCHING MY CAR ON FIRE. ON 6-18-01, I SMELT A BURNING SMELL AND PULLED OVER TO TRY TO FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMELL. AFTER A SERIES OF LOOKS I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ANY WHERE, HOWEVER, I COULD FEEL A LITTLE HEAT BETWEEN MY SHIFT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. ON MY HOME SMOKE STARTED TO EMERGE FROM THE STICK/EMERGENCY BRAKE AREA. BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC, FLAMES BEGIN SHOOTING OUT OF THE CENTER OF THE CAR (EMERGENCY BRAKE AND STICK-SHIFT AREA). I IMMEDIATELY TURNED UPON THE CURB AND PARKED THE CAR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE 10 MINUTES LATER AND EVALUATED THE SITUATION, STATING MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IGNITED THE CAR AND THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE FLOOR AND MOST OF MY INTERIOR.
NHTSA complaint #747304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washingon, DCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CAR CUT OFF. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEARLER REPLACED ELECTRICAL PARTS IN THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #843713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #511399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuson, ARFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DASH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #803124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camarillo, CACrash1 injured
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED AND DETACHED FROM ANCHOR UPON REAR END COLLISION AND FELL INTO REAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #974995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 76,000 milesNorth Hills, CACrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN APRIL 2004, MY TOYOTA TERCEL ACCELERATED FROM 05 TO APPROXIMATELY 90MPH IN A PARKING LOT, CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND TOTALED MY CAR. ANOTHER PROBLEM WAS THE BRAKE PEDAL. EVEN AFTER CHANGING TO NEW BRAKE PADS, SHOES, BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS, THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL DROPPED LOW TO THE FLOOR THAT IT FELT THAT I WAS PUSHING THE FLOOR WHEN I BRAKE. I HAD SEVERAL ACCELERATION INCIDENTS. EVEN WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY AND CONTINUOUSLY, THE CAR KEPT GOING. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND STICKY BRAKE PEDAL PROBLEMS WERE NEVER SOLVED. I WROTE THE TRIPLE A/AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SO. CA INSURANCE ABOUT THESE ISSUES REGARDING MY ACCIDENT BUT WAS IGNORED.
NHTSA complaint #10307131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waukegan, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1990 TOYOTA TERCEL ENGINE BLEW. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE BLEW AND HAD ANOTHER ENGINE PUT IN BUT IT DID NOT LAST VERY LONG.
NHTSA complaint #10238210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
CONSUMER HAD THE OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #566403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO HAVE CARBURETOR REPAIRED. CARBURETOR FAILED IN HIGH RPM MODE, NEARLY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #566403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, WAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE FOLLOWING IS A DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS WHICH LEAD TO MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER-HEATING AND CATCHING MY CAR ON FIRE. ON 6-18-01, I SMELT A BURNING SMELL AND PULLED OVER TO TRY TO FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMELL. AFTER A SERIES OF LOOKS I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ANY WHERE, HOWEVER, I COULD FEEL A LITTLE HEAT BETWEEN MY SHIFT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. ON MY HOME SMOKE STARTED TO EMERGE FROM THE STICK/EMERGENCY BRAKE AREA. BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC, FLAMES BEGIN SHOOTING OUT OF THE CENTER OF THE CAR (EMERGENCY BRAKE AND STICK-SHIFT AREA). I IMMEDIATELY TURNED UPON THE CURB AND PARKED THE CAR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE 10 MINUTES LATER AND EVALUATED THE SITUATION, STATING MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IGNITED THE CAR AND THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE FLOOR AND MOST OF MY INTERIOR.
NHTSA complaint #747304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hopatcong, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OIL LEAK, LATER NEEDED ENGINE REPLACEMENT, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED TWICE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hopatcong, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OIL LEAK, LATER NEEDED ENGINE REPLACEMENT, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED TWICE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Largo, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
CUSHION BROKE OFF BRAKE LIGHT PEDAL ARM ASSEMBLY, CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON PERMANENTLY. THERE IS NOTHING ON BRAKE PEDAL ARM TO RETRACT SWITCH'S TRIGGER.
NHTSA complaint #557880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washingon, DCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CAR CUT OFF. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEARLER REPLACED ELECTRICAL PARTS IN THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #843713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #511399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nampa, ID
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
DUE TO CARBON BUILD-UP IN THE CARBURETOR AND INTAKE VALVES, THE CAR CONTINUOUSLY STALLS IN TRAFFIC AND WILL NOT RESTART.
NHTSA complaint #539926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bozeman, MT
SEAT BELTS
VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY OR EASILY AND LOSES ACCELERATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS. DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT HARNESS HAS SHREDDED OVER TIME AND IS NO LONGER USABLE.
NHTSA complaint #546747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bozeman, MT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY OR EASILY AND LOSES ACCELERATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS. DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT HARNESS HAS SHREDDED OVER TIME AND IS NO LONGER USABLE.
NHTSA complaint #546747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Briarwood, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #510247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Briarwood, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #510247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kearns, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILURE, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES VERY HARD AND LEFT FOOT OFF PEDAL, REAPPLIED THE BRAKES AND EFFECTIVESS RETURNS.
NHTSA complaint #806088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO CARBURETOR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #511082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuson, ARFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DASH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #803124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camarillo, CACrash1 injured
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED AND DETACHED FROM ANCHOR UPON REAR END COLLISION AND FELL INTO REAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #974995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TRANSAXLE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #508054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Levittown, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT/SHOULDER HARNESS SHREDDING.
NHTSA complaint #490762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camarillo, CACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK. DRIVERS SEAT FAILED W/SHOULDER PORTION COLLAPSING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #973351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passaic Park, NJCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
POSSIBLE THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, RESULTING IN NO STOPPING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT. TT
NHTSA complaint #971972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.