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2002 Toyota Celica

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

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

Limited mileage data: 19 of 29 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 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 reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

A 2002 TOYOTA CELICA, DRIVEN BY OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, EXITING OFF OF I-295-DESIGNATED SPEED- 65 MPH,WAS EXITING ONTO I-10 EASTBOUND RAMP, AND UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN, LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE, AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB UPON EXAMINATION OF THE CAR AT NIMNICHT CADILLAC ON BLANDING BLVD, IT WAS FOU…

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A 2002 TOYOTA CELICA, DRIVEN BY OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, EXITING OFF OF I-295-DESIGNATED SPEED- 65 MPH,WAS EXITING ONTO I-10 EASTBOUND RAMP, AND UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN, LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE, AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB UPON EXAMINATION OF THE CAR AT NIMNICHT CADILLAC ON BLANDING BLVD, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD BRAKE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10095894

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING ON WET ROADS 30-35 MPH AND MAKING A SUDDEN STOP BRAKES LOCKED, TIRES DID NOT GRAPE, VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING UNDER ANOTHER VEHICLE ,RESULTING IN A CRASH. VEHICLE IS NOW ON 2ND REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10024928

Official recalls

1

03V074000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Mar 5, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT A FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.