The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1992 Toyota Tercel 4-DR.
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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.
Jan 1996peak 3Jan 2015
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 90,000 milesRockaway, NJCrash1 killed
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 12/29/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 10AM, MY 84 YEAR MOTHER WAS LEAVING A WALGREEN'S PARKING LOT LOCATED IN SUNRISE, FLORIDA. AFTER BACKING UP, SHE PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WHERE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. AS A RESULT THE CAR STRUCK A RETAINING WALL CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE POLICE AND EMS WERE CALLED AND PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION TO THE HOSPITAL. MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY AS A RESULT OF HER INJURIES AT APPROXIMATELY 12PM ON 12/29/2015.
NHTSA complaint #10678246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesRockaway, NJCrash1 killed
ENGINE
ON 12/29/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 10AM, MY 84 YEAR MOTHER WAS LEAVING A WALGREEN'S PARKING LOT LOCATED IN SUNRISE, FLORIDA. AFTER BACKING UP, SHE PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WHERE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. AS A RESULT THE CAR STRUCK A RETAINING WALL CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE POLICE AND EMS WERE CALLED AND PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION TO THE HOSPITAL. MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY AS A RESULT OF HER INJURIES AT APPROXIMATELY 12PM ON 12/29/2015.
NHTSA complaint #10678246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Deigo, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15-20MPH & ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER & THERE WAS A REAR END COLLISION. SEAT BELT DIDN'T TIGHTEN TO SECURE THE CONSUMER WHICH CAUSED ALOT OF KNOCKING AROUND. MANFACTURER WAS SENDING ADJUSTER OUT TO INSPECT VEHICLE & WOULDN'T SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT SO THAT CONSUMER COULD BE PRESENT. *AK THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T TIGHTEN AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #862326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarkville, INCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER IN SEAT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #833524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BRAKE LIGHT WIRING SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE IN REAR OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #506598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jasper, AL1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER WHILE VEHICLE ROLLING OVER, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED/INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #505992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 90,000 milesRockaway, NJCrash1 killed
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON 12/29/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 10AM, MY 84 YEAR MOTHER WAS LEAVING A WALGREEN'S PARKING LOT LOCATED IN SUNRISE, FLORIDA. AFTER BACKING UP, SHE PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WHERE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. AS A RESULT THE CAR STRUCK A RETAINING WALL CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE POLICE AND EMS WERE CALLED AND PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION TO THE HOSPITAL. MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY AS A RESULT OF HER INJURIES AT APPROXIMATELY 12PM ON 12/29/2015.
NHTSA complaint #10678246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesRockaway, NJCrash1 killed
ENGINE
ON 12/29/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 10AM, MY 84 YEAR MOTHER WAS LEAVING A WALGREEN'S PARKING LOT LOCATED IN SUNRISE, FLORIDA. AFTER BACKING UP, SHE PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WHERE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. AS A RESULT THE CAR STRUCK A RETAINING WALL CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE POLICE AND EMS WERE CALLED AND PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION TO THE HOSPITAL. MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY AS A RESULT OF HER INJURIES AT APPROXIMATELY 12PM ON 12/29/2015.
NHTSA complaint #10678246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesChico, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING A 92 TOYOTA TERCEL. I WAS GOING UP A STEEP HILL ON I-5 IN OREGON. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL LOST PRESSURE AND FELL TO THE FLOOR WITH THE ENGINE AT FULL ACCELERATION. LUCKILY I WAS GOING UP A HILL. I REACHED DOWN AND WIGGLED THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WAS TOTALLY LOOSE AND JUST DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. AS I CAME TO THE NEXT EXIT I PULLED OFF, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE KEY. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE PRESSURE CAME BACK TO THE GAS PEDAL. IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE AFTER THAT EXCEPT IT MADE A DEEPER MUFFLED NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY LUBED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY AND THERE WERE NO MORE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10312998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 TOYOTA TERCEL. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN THE SPRING OF 1992, AND 6 MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A VERY NICE DAY THE ENGINE SEIZED AND ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH A BRAND NEW ENGINE AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND ENGINE SEIZED 10 MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT THEN PURCHASED A REBUILT ENGINE IN THE SPRING OF 1995, AND 7 MONTHS LATER THAT ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT THEN PURCHASED ANOTHER ENGINE IN 2002, AND IT WAS CURRENTLY STILL WORKING. EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, AND HAD A BRAND NEW ENGINE WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED.
NHTSA complaint #10181218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slick, OK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT STARTED TO ENTANGLE FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM. DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER BY PHONE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10111651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, CT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT IS VERY BADLY FRAYED. HAS REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT DOESN'T RETRACT PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10019059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
VEHICLE EXPELLED HIGH HYDROCARBONS AND CARBON MONOXIDE AT CRUISE. HOWEVER AT IDLE IT WAS EXTREMELY LOW. AFTER MANY REPAIRS, IT WAS FOUND THE FUEL VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTIONED THAT WOULD PROBABLY INCLUDE THE VACUUM LINE FROM THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND MAY ALSO BE AFFECTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CONSUMER REQUESTED RECALL INFORMATION ON THIS CONDITION. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10007323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
2 NEW TIRES, LESS THAN 5,00 MILES DRIVEN, SIDEWALLS CRACKING AND SEPARATING. *AK (DOT NUMBER: PL8JV9LR10 TIRESIZE: P175/65R14)
NHTSA complaint #755191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midvale, UT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE DRIVER SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SHOULDER BELT IS FRAYING BADLY.
NHTSA complaint #747130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Deigo, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15-20MPH & ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER & THERE WAS A REAR END COLLISION. SEAT BELT DIDN'T TIGHTEN TO SECURE THE CONSUMER WHICH CAUSED ALOT OF KNOCKING AROUND. MANFACTURER WAS SENDING ADJUSTER OUT TO INSPECT VEHICLE & WOULDN'T SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT SO THAT CONSUMER COULD BE PRESENT. *AK THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T TIGHTEN AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #862326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, THERE BEGAN A KNOCKING SOUND. WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHO SAID ONE OF THE BEARINGS ON THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN AND DISINTEGRATED. *AK.
NHTSA complaint #721993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE SHOUDLER STRAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS SHREDDING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BELT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansing, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS FRAYED ON THE EDGE THAT CONTACTS THE NECK. THE EXPOSED FIBERS ARE LIKE SHARP TINY SAW TEETH, MUCH LIKE A HACK SAW. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE BELT COULD EASILY SLICE THROUGH THE NECK TO THE CAROTID ARTERY.
NHTSA complaint #716903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT. MJS
NHTSA complaint #605598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarkville, INCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER IN SEAT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #833524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILED
NHTSA complaint #532744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #533571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encino, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT DETERIORATED TO THREADS IN THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT AREA.
NHTSA complaint #527041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holland, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERS SIDE RESTRAINT IS COMING APART FROM THE FRAME, HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE RESTRAINT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK CONSUMER REPLACED SHOULDER BELT AT HIS EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #816663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milford, CT
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #803493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.