FaultScore

Toyota Tercel brake problems

31 of the 389 complaints filed about the Toyota Tercel are about the braking system — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.

31

Complaints

8%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

1983 Tercel 1 3.2%
1984 Tercel 1 3.2%
1985 Tercel 2 6.5%
1986 Tercel 2 6.5%
1987 Tercel 1 3.2%
1989 Tercel 3 9.7%
1990 Tercel 2 6.5%
1992 Tercel 1 3.2%
1993 Tercel 4 12.9%
1994 Tercel 4 12.9%

Median failure at 104,340 miles

1995 Tercel 3 9.7%
1996 Tercel 5 16.1%

Median failure at 123,550 miles

1997 Tercel 2 6.5%

What owners said

1996 Toyota Tercel at 123,550 miles Yorktown, VA Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE ROTOR FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGERS WHEEL SEIZED AND THE OTHER WHEELS LOST HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,550.

NHTSA complaint #10678337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Toyota Tercel at 104,340 miles Covina, CA

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.

1994 Toyota Tercel Martinez, GA

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.

1989 Toyota Tercel Paramont, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE PUSHING ON BRAKES, VEHICLE DOES NOT MAKE A COMPLETE STOP, INSTEAD BRAKE PEDAL WILL TOUCH THE GROUND, RESULTING IN USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE MASTER CYLINDER IS OUT. DRUMS WERE TURNED BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO THIN. THE FRONT AXLE IS LEAKING BAD. GOODYEAR TIRES ARE BAD, P155/80R13, DOT NUMBER MDE4E70119. INSIDE THE VEHICLE THERE IS A FUEL ODOR.

NHTSA complaint #8003215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Toyota Tercel Paulden, AZ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE WHICH CAUSED WHEELS TO LOCK. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND WOULD NOT RETURN. PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAIL ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #877144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1985 Toyota Tercel Fair Oaks Ranch, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN BRAKE HANDLE DOWN. OWNER'S MANUAL DOESN'T SAY SO, BUT THE LIGHT IS ALSO OPERATED BY LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. NOT KNOWING THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #723773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1985 Toyota Tercel Fair Oaks Ranch, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN BRAKE HANDLE DOWN. OWNER'S MANUAL DOESN'T SAY SO, BUT THE LIGHT IS ALSO OPERATED BY LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. NOT KNOWING THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #723773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Toyota Tercel Norfolk, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. MANUFACTURER HAS NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FORCING ME TO DRIVE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #711928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Toyota Tercel Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT. MJS

NHTSA complaint #605598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Toyota Tercel Gretna, LA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WHILE DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN BURNS TO THE SKIN. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #825002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1983 Toyota Tercel Monroe, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE HOSES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #542301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Toyota Tercel Chicago, IL 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY FRONT BALL JOINTS SNAPPED, CAUSING OTHER PROBLEMS, INCLUDING RUPTURE OF BRAKE LINES.

NHTSA complaint #823742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Toyota Tercel LOS Angeles, CA 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED

NHTSA complaint #532311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1989 Toyota Tercel Lynn, MA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER TURNED KEY TO START VEHICLE, PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE SHOT OUT SO FAST IN REVERSE THAT THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN CRASHING INTO A PARK VAN. THE VEHCLE IS BEING REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #819508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1987 Toyota Tercel Fresno, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MADE LOUD SQUEAKS. THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #818885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Toyota Tercel Guayama, PR

PARKING BRAKE

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #519506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Toyota Tercel Lakewood, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #602707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Toyota Tercel Hollywood, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

DRIVING VEHICLE, HEARD CLUNKING/GRINDING NOISE IN BRAKING AREA; TAKEN TO DEALER & HAD BRAKES CHANGED AT LEAST 5 TIMES; WOULD RESURFACE ROTORS & REPLACED PADS; BRAKES WOULD CHATTER BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #808664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Toyota Tercel Hollywood, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

DRIVING VEHICLE, HEARD CLUNKING/GRINDING NOISE IN BRAKING AREA; TAKEN TO DEALER & HAD BRAKES CHANGED AT LEAST 5 TIMES; WOULD RESURFACE ROTORS & REPLACED PADS; BRAKES WOULD CHATTER BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #808664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Toyota Tercel Potsdam, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS PREMATURELY RUSTED OR CORRODED, CAUSE UNKOWN BUT DEALER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR FROM NORMAL WEARING, BUT CHEAP ROTORS MAY BE A FACTOR . PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #807244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Toyota Tercel problems