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2000 Toyota Celica

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

39 reports with mileage · 67 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

106 reports
133,621 miles · Feb 8, 2024
Tires

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica equipped with Dextero Touring, DTR1 Tires Size 205/55R16 91H, and DOT: Y9JTCHX1816. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH she observed a noise emanating from the undercarriage of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle was inspec…

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The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica equipped with Dextero Touring, DTR1 Tires Size 205/55R16 91H, and DOT: Y9JTCHX1816. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH she observed a noise emanating from the undercarriage of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle was inspected but no failure was found. The contact continued to drive at approximately 55 MPH and observed a popping sound emanating from the inner carriage. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where she observed the rear passenger tire separating. The tire was replaced with assistance from a passerby. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 133,621 and the tire failure mileage was 33,000

NHTSA ODI #11570739

123,268 miles · May 17, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica. The contact stated that the daytime running lights failed to turn off as needed, causing the battery to be drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the running lights needed to be adjusted. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The ve…

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The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica. The contact stated that the daytime running lights failed to turn off as needed, causing the battery to be drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the running lights needed to be adjusted. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the headlight switch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V566000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 123,268.

NHTSA ODI #11465031

228,298 miles · Apr 26, 2021
Engine

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE VEHICLE I JUST BOUGHT AND WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND THE ENGINE LITERALLY BROKE INTO PIECES AND OIL WENT EVERYWHERE

NHTSA ODI #11413894

54,000 miles · Mar 25, 2020
EngineCrash

A TRUCK TIRE WENT OUT AND LOCKED UP MY ENGINE OF MY CELICA

NHTSA ODI #11319270

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2019
Exterior Lighting

I AM TRYING TO RENEW MY REGISTRATION FOR MY 2000 TOYOTA AND IT DOESN'T LET ME AND IT MIGHT HAVE A RECALL ON THE LIGHTS

NHTSA ODI #11268851

190,000 miles · Dec 6, 2014
Power Train

THIS VEHICLE HAS ( ACCORDING TO ALL SOURCES AVAILABLE ) BURNED OIL FROM THE TIME IT LEFT THE PLANT BRAND NEW,MOST 2000 TO 2002 TOYOTA CELICA GT'S HAVE THIS ISSUE AS THE RINGS WERE BAD. TOYOTA HAS NEVER PRODUCED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT HAS EFFECTED THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES.TOYOTA DID CHANGE THE RINGS OUT FOR THE 2003 MODELS …

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THIS VEHICLE HAS ( ACCORDING TO ALL SOURCES AVAILABLE ) BURNED OIL FROM THE TIME IT LEFT THE PLANT BRAND NEW,MOST 2000 TO 2002 TOYOTA CELICA GT'S HAVE THIS ISSUE AS THE RINGS WERE BAD. TOYOTA HAS NEVER PRODUCED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT HAS EFFECTED THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES.TOYOTA DID CHANGE THE RINGS OUT FOR THE 2003 MODELS AND NEWER, SO THEY DID KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTED.THIS HAS CAUSED MANY CELICA'S TO EXPERIENCE BLOWN MOTORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662493

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I TOWED MY VEHICLE TO NEWBOLD TOYOTA ON JULY 28, 2014, AND ON JULY 29, I SPOKE TO [XXX], A SERVICE ADVISOR AND EXPLAINED WHY MY VEHICLE WAS THERE. HE INDICATED THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND GET BACK TO ME. AT 3:28 PM [XXX] CALLED ME BACK INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS DONE DUE TO THE OVER-REV WHICH BLEW THE ENGINE. HERE IS…

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I TOWED MY VEHICLE TO NEWBOLD TOYOTA ON JULY 28, 2014, AND ON JULY 29, I SPOKE TO [XXX], A SERVICE ADVISOR AND EXPLAINED WHY MY VEHICLE WAS THERE. HE INDICATED THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND GET BACK TO ME. AT 3:28 PM [XXX] CALLED ME BACK INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS DONE DUE TO THE OVER-REV WHICH BLEW THE ENGINE. HERE IS MY STATEMENT ON WHAT HAPPENED: ON JULY 28 2014 AT ABOUT 7 A.M., I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK ON I-255 SOUTHBOUND WHEN MY GAS PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN FIFTH GEAR. THE CAR SPED UP, SO HAVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. I PROCEEDED TO RAISE THE PEDAL WITH THE TIP OF MY SHOE, WITH NO SUCCESS AND ENGINE REVVING, I DECIDED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE FOR A BRIEF SECOND, WHEN THE GAS PEDAL SPRUNG RIGHT BACK UP. I THEN PLACED IT IN SIXTH GEAR AND KEPT GOING FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES, DESPITE HEARING A RATTLING NOISE. AS I TURNED OFF ONTO MY EXIT, I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND THAT'S WHEN THE ENGINE DIED. AT THIS POINT I COASTED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE EXIT RAMP.ON JULY 31, 2014 AT 2:14 PM, I SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER ([XXX] ) ABOUT MY SITUATION WITH THE VEHICLE, AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE (1-800-331-4331). I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH [XXX] WHO STARTED A CASE FOR ME. AFTER GIVING HER THE ABOVE DETAILS, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHE REQUESTED, SHE CHECKED ON EXTENDED WARRANTIES AND RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. SHE INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA RESPECTFULLY DECLINES ANY ASSISTANCE. I THEN ASKED TO SPEAK TO HER SUPERVISOR, WHICH SHE REPLIED, "THAT WON'T HELP YOU", AND HUNG UP. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY CRASHED THIS VEHICLE UNDER NO FAULT OF MY OWN. I FEEL LIKE TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY ENGINE, AS WELL AS ISSUING A RECALL ON THIS MODEL YEAR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644757

81,685 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Engine

THIS IS A 3RD ENGINE !!!!! WHEN I GOT THIS CAR IN 2008 IT WAS ALREADY KNOCKING FROM DEALERSHIP. SOON ROD BEARINGS BLEW OUT AND ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THESE ENGINES ARE VERY POOR DESIGN THAT OIL STARVE TO DEATH. AFTER REPLACING ENGINE THEY ONLY LAST YA FEW YEARS. 2010 SECOND ENGINE SAME THING STARTED LOOSING OIL NOT FR…

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THIS IS A 3RD ENGINE !!!!! WHEN I GOT THIS CAR IN 2008 IT WAS ALREADY KNOCKING FROM DEALERSHIP. SOON ROD BEARINGS BLEW OUT AND ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THESE ENGINES ARE VERY POOR DESIGN THAT OIL STARVE TO DEATH. AFTER REPLACING ENGINE THEY ONLY LAST YA FEW YEARS. 2010 SECOND ENGINE SAME THING STARTED LOOSING OIL NOT FROM LEAKING BUT FROM CONSUMPTION. SHORTLY AFTER STARTED KNOCKING AND RIGHT AFTER SPUN THE ROD BEARING AND DAMAGED ENGINE AGAIN. THESE 1ZZFE ENGINES HAVE VERY POOR CIRCULATION OF OIL AND ONLY WILL TAKE SPECIFIC OIL PRODUCTS BECAUSE OF VERY WEAK OIL PUMP. SO ON MY 3RD ENGINE AND GUESS WHAT ?! KNOCKING !! AFTER ALL TROUBLE WITH THIS I HAVE OVER PAID WHAT THIS CAR IS WORTH BY A TON WITH ENGINE REPLACEMENTS BECAUSE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE CAUSE. I AM A FATHER AND COMMUTE 100MI TO WORK AND BACK EVERYDAY AND THESE ENGINES ARE THE WORST. THEY OIL STARVE AND DIE. WITH NEW OIL PUMP AND LUCAS OIL ADDITIVE YOU MAY HAVE HOPE BUT IF YOU FOLLOW DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTIONS FEW YEARS LATER HAVE 4,000$ FOR NEW ENGINE READY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578596

55,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CELICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED A QUART OF OIL EVERY THOUSAND MILES. THE MANUFACTURER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CELICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED A QUART OF OIL EVERY THOUSAND MILES. THE MANUFACTURER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. ...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF UPDATED 05/31/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10499992

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR HAS 140,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS BURNING APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY FOUR DAYS. BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME CAR (2000-2002 CELICA GT 1.8L) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PROBLEMS WERE NOTICED AS EARLY AS 80,000 MILES. NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS. FOUND INFORMATION ONLINE REGARDING …

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CAR HAS 140,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS BURNING APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY FOUR DAYS. BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME CAR (2000-2002 CELICA GT 1.8L) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PROBLEMS WERE NOTICED AS EARLY AS 80,000 MILES. NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS. FOUND INFORMATION ONLINE REGARDING A FIX THAT TOYOTA MADE TO THE ENGINE IN 2003 FROM 4 HOLES IN PISTONS, TO 8 HOLES AS WELL AS LARGER PISTON GROVE.

NHTSA ODI #10384910

Official recalls

2

04V566000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Nov 29, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) WILL BE MODIFIED TO MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR, WHICH WILL DECREASE THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DRL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

04V455000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Sep 17, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RECESS RETAINS A RUBBER SEAL RING, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE END OF THE CYLINDER BODY, AND MAY BE CORRODED DUE TO AN IMPROPER WASHING PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THIS CONDITION, BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE SEAL, OR A SMALL AMOUNT OF AIR MAY ENTER THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE OF VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP02004 · Engine Seizure

Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.