FaultScore report
Owners have filed 45 complaints about the 1994 Toyota Tercel with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 5 worst.
FaultScore 55/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Toyota Tercel.
How this is worked out45
Complaints
18
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
1 complaint reports a death.
123,625 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 191,400 miles
Median failure at 104,340 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 2 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 123,625 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
Median failure at 104,340 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 Toyota Tercel 4-DR. | — | — | — | — |
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK , THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS/HER NECK AND BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10099190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10024362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ON 8/29/1999 MY DAUGHTERS BOYFRIEND AND HER BROTHER WERE ON THEIR WAY TO DATONA, FL FOR THE WEEK. NEARING DATONA HER LEFT REAR TIRE STARTED TO BREAK TS TREAD AND HER BOYFRIEND LOST CONTROLL OF THE CAR AND CROSSED INTO THE MEDIAN AND CUT ACRROS AN APPROACHING CAR WHICH HIT HER CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROADSIDE. SHE WAS KILLED AND HER BOYFRIEND WAS KILLED. HER BROTHER WAS BADLEY INJURED AND STILL CANNOT WALK WITHOUT A WALKER . IN JAN OR FEB OF 1999 SHE ALSO HAD THE RIGHT REAR (MATE TO THE ONE THAT FAILED AT THIS ACCIDENT ) AND SHE ALMOST FLIPPED THE CAR IN THE CENTER MEDIAN ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE. HER ROOM MATE WAS IN THE CAR WITH HER. I PERSONALLY CHANGED THAT TIRE AND THE TREAD PEALED AND THE AIR WAS STILL IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE IN THIS ACCIDENT ALSO AIRIN IT. SENT IT OUT TO AN EXPERT BUT WANTS $10,00-30,00 TO TEST IT.
NHTSA complaint #726933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH HIT A DEER HEAD-ON & AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. IT KNOCKED THE CONSUMER OUT FOR 2 HOURS. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #861670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED OVER INTO HER LANE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF.
NHTSA complaint #855664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
FALSE AND VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN VEHICLE RAN OVER DEBRIS IN ROAD WHICH HIT UNDERCARRIAGE SENSORS, CAUSED INJURY TO HAND AND ARM. MJS FALSE AND VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN DEBRIS FROM ROAD HIT CENSORS ON THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN HAND AND ARM INJURY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #547417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE RUBBER PIN/PEG/PIECE (LOOKS LIKE THUMBTACK BUT BIGGER AND MADE OF RUBBER) THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE POINT WERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH/BUTTON IS, FELL APART INTO FIVE INDIVIDUAL PIECES RESULTING IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FULLY ON AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS WAS EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND START THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST BOUGHT FROM A PRIVATE OWNER AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT ELEVEN DAYS. ALL FUSES WERE FOUND TO BE IN GOOD ORDER AS WELL. REPLACED THE PART AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10595257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE RUBBER PIN/PEG/PIECE (LOOKS LIKE THUMBTACK BUT BIGGER AND MADE OF RUBBER) THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE POINT WERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH/BUTTON IS, FELL APART INTO FIVE INDIVIDUAL PIECES RESULTING IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FULLY ON AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS WAS EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND START THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST BOUGHT FROM A PRIVATE OWNER AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT ELEVEN DAYS. ALL FUSES WERE FOUND TO BE IN GOOD ORDER AS WELL. REPLACED THE PART AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10595257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA TERCEL. THE VEHICLE HAS AEROLITE WHEEL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RUBBER IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE SHREDDED AND DETACHED. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE TIRES ARE 50,000 MILE TIRES, WHICH SHREDDED AT APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,865 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,625.
NHTSA complaint #10238714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1994 TOYOTA TERCEL 4-DOOR SEDAN A/T WHITE/EXTERIOR 191400 MILES ON THE ODOMETER VIN#[XXX]. THEY TOLD ME IT HAS A REBUILD ENGINE, IT'S BETTER THAN A NEW ENGINE. I DON'T ANYTHING ABOUT CARS. I'VE NEVER OWN A CAR IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. PURCHASED IT FROM VALENCIA AUTO/ USED CAR DEALER 1535 VALENCIA STREET, S.F CALIF 94110/ TEL.# 415-282-5553. PURCHASED IT ON OCT-12-2005 . THE CAR STALLS,ENGINE SHUTS-OFF 4-5 TIMES A DAY. VALENCIA AUTO TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. EVERY OTHER DAY OR SO, I BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. IT'S THE SAME OLD FUN AND GAMES THEY PLAYED EVERYTIME. THEY DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND EVERY TIME THEY CAME BACK AND TELLS ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I ASKED VALENCIA AUTO TO GIVE ME MY REFUND. THEY TOLD ME NO REFUND, BRING ME MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING BETTER, HOW MUCH MORE MONEY CAN YOU BRING ME TODAY!!! I NEED IT THE CAR TO TAKE MY MOM OUT FOR GROCERY AND DINING, ALSO TO TAKE ME TO WORK. MY MOM WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. WILL NOT TAKE MY MOM ANYWHERE, NOT WITH THAT CAR. FOR PERSONAL SAFETY, I DON'T THINK SO. I HAVE 4 POSTINGS ON CRAIGS LIST ABOUT RE: VALENCIA AUTO/DISHONEST, CROOKS, SCAMS, LIES. KEY WORD : VALENCIA AUTO/ WWW.CRAIGSLIST.ORG FOR THE FINAL TIME THAT I BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE OWNER DROVE THE CAR WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE DROVE IT ON THE STREET, UP THE FREE WAY. HE TELLS ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOTHING YET, TIL ON OUR WAY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE STOP ON RED LIGHT, WHEN HE LET GO OF THE BRAKE THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SHOOK. HE TOOK IT BACK TO VALENCIA AUTO FOT SERVICED. THEY STILL HAVE THE CAR IN THEIR POSSESSION AND I GOT THE TITLE AND REGISTRATION. THEY STILL WON'T GIVE ME A REFUND. I DON'T KNOW WHY. THEY DID SOLD ME A CAR WITH MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10143276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK , THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS/HER NECK AND BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10099190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10024362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. AND THE BRAKING POWER WAS VERY LOW. *AK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ONE TIRE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SIDEWALL DAMAGE AND NO TREAD, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR MAIN SEAL, THE CRANK SEAL AND TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. PH
NHTSA complaint #10022069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. AND THE BRAKING POWER WAS VERY LOW. *AK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ONE TIRE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SIDEWALL DAMAGE AND NO TREAD, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR MAIN SEAL, THE CRANK SEAL AND TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. PH
NHTSA complaint #10022069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. AND THE BRAKING POWER WAS VERY LOW. *AK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ONE TIRE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SIDEWALL DAMAGE AND NO TREAD, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR MAIN SEAL, THE CRANK SEAL AND TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. PH
NHTSA complaint #10022069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HAVE HAD A COMPLETE VALVE JOB, NOW THE PISTON RINGS ARE SHOT. I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE 94 TERCEL ALSO HAD A FRIED ENGINE. BOTH CARS ORIGINATED FROM DEALERSHIPS IN MONTANA MIGHT BE WORTH CHECKING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #743488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ON 8/29/1999 MY DAUGHTERS BOYFRIEND AND HER BROTHER WERE ON THEIR WAY TO DATONA, FL FOR THE WEEK. NEARING DATONA HER LEFT REAR TIRE STARTED TO BREAK TS TREAD AND HER BOYFRIEND LOST CONTROLL OF THE CAR AND CROSSED INTO THE MEDIAN AND CUT ACRROS AN APPROACHING CAR WHICH HIT HER CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROADSIDE. SHE WAS KILLED AND HER BOYFRIEND WAS KILLED. HER BROTHER WAS BADLEY INJURED AND STILL CANNOT WALK WITHOUT A WALKER . IN JAN OR FEB OF 1999 SHE ALSO HAD THE RIGHT REAR (MATE TO THE ONE THAT FAILED AT THIS ACCIDENT ) AND SHE ALMOST FLIPPED THE CAR IN THE CENTER MEDIAN ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE. HER ROOM MATE WAS IN THE CAR WITH HER. I PERSONALLY CHANGED THAT TIRE AND THE TREAD PEALED AND THE AIR WAS STILL IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE IN THIS ACCIDENT ALSO AIRIN IT. SENT IT OUT TO AN EXPERT BUT WANTS $10,00-30,00 TO TEST IT.
NHTSA complaint #726933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH HIT A DEER HEAD-ON & AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. IT KNOCKED THE CONSUMER OUT FOR 2 HOURS. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #861670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED OVER INTO HER LANE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF.
NHTSA complaint #855664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE IDLIES AND SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHENEVER ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IT WILL SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #850857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
FALSE AND VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN VEHICLE RAN OVER DEBRIS IN ROAD WHICH HIT UNDERCARRIAGE SENSORS, CAUSED INJURY TO HAND AND ARM. MJS FALSE AND VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN DEBRIS FROM ROAD HIT CENSORS ON THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN HAND AND ARM INJURY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #547417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AFTER I STOPPED AND PUT THE GEAR FROM REVERSE INTO "DRIVE" THE CAR TOOK OFF IMMEDIATELY AT HIGH SPEED RETURNING TO MY PARKING SPACE AND BEYOND ACCELERATING INTO THE BUILDING A FEW FEET PAST MY ORIGINAL PARKING SPACE. THE TOOK OFF AT SUCH A HIGH SPEED AND WENT FORWARD AT SUCH A HIGH SPEED THAT THE FRONT END GOT DAMAGED, THE RADIATOR BURST, THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED, AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY PASSENGER WAS HURT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I WOULD LIKE AN INSPECTION OF THE AUTOMOBILE AS I AM SURE IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #705551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AFTER I STOPPED AND PUT THE GEAR FROM REVERSE INTO "DRIVE" THE CAR TOOK OFF IMMEDIATELY AT HIGH SPEED RETURNING TO MY PARKING SPACE AND BEYOND ACCELERATING INTO THE BUILDING A FEW FEET PAST MY ORIGINAL PARKING SPACE. TOOK OFF AT SUCH A HIGH SPEED AND WENT FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED THAT THE FRONT END GOT DAMAGED, THE RADIATOR BURST, THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED, AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY PASSENGER WAS HURT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I WOULD LIKE AN INSPECTION OF THE AUTOMOBILE AS I AM SURE IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #705285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #826723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE 1994 TOYOTA WAS FIRST REPAIRED AUG 1996 FOR OIL LEAKAGE AT 63000 MILES. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN AT 98000 MILES. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE KEPT REGULAR MAINTANCE ON THE CAR. IT IS CLEAR TO US THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND THAT TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. PLEASE DO ALL THAT YOU CAN TO HELP US. WE CAN BE REACH AT 202-398-6400 OR 202-526-6127. OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS MGBWELL@AOL.COM
NHTSA complaint #539070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #820264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSED ACCIDENT/INJURIES ON FACE AND EYES. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #516005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DRIVER HAS TO POSITION THE SEAT IN THE FOREMOST POSITION AND IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF AN AIRBAG, AFTER DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #516182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTS ON THE INTERIOR. DEALER COULDN'T FIX ELECTRICAL SHORTS.
NHTSA complaint #815914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE HAS A WHINING NOISE AND BURNING SMELL.
NHTSA complaint #515754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD -ON ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 20MPH AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG.DEALERS SENT INSPECTOR TO LOOK AT VEHICLE BUT DID NOT TELL OWNER AYNTHING.
NHTSA complaint #811610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.