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: 7 of 17 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
17 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VALVE CLAMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER TOLD DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD NO…
Read full complaint
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VALVE CLAMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER TOLD DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD NOT BEEN PUT IN PROPERLY. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10091622
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2004
Fuel System, Diesel
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V704000 REGARDING THE FUEL TANK. DEALERSHIP URGED CONSUMER TO BRING THE VEHICLE WITH THE FUEL TANK EMPTY. CONSUMER ARRIVED TO THE APPOINTMENT AT 7 AM AND WAITED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS. THE FLOOR MANAGER INDICATED TO CONSUMER STILL PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. CONSUMER W…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V704000 REGARDING THE FUEL TANK. DEALERSHIP URGED CONSUMER TO BRING THE VEHICLE WITH THE FUEL TANK EMPTY. CONSUMER ARRIVED TO THE APPOINTMENT AT 7 AM AND WAITED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS. THE FLOOR MANAGER INDICATED TO CONSUMER STILL PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. CONSUMER WAS UPSET WITH TOYOTA MANUFACTURER, NOT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090183
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
MY CRUISE CONTROL DOSE NOT WORK IM MY 2003 TOYOTA CELICA GTS. ALSO I BELIVE THIS I A RESULT OF SOMETHING HAPPENING TO MY CAR 3 MONTHS EARLIER MAKE : TOYOTA MODEL : CELICA YEAR : 2003 SERVICE BULLETIN NUM : TC03015 DATE OF BULLETIN: JUL 24, 2003 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10003486 I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL I…
Read full complaint
MY CRUISE CONTROL DOSE NOT WORK IM MY 2003 TOYOTA CELICA GTS. ALSO I BELIVE THIS I A RESULT OF SOMETHING HAPPENING TO MY CAR 3 MONTHS EARLIER MAKE : TOYOTA MODEL : CELICA YEAR : 2003 SERVICE BULLETIN NUM : TC03015 DATE OF BULLETIN: JUL 24, 2003 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10003486 I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE 03 CELICA . NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE CRUISE CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10086243
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2004
SuspensionCrash
THIS CONCERNS A 2003 TOYOTA CELICA GT WITH A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN BACKING AND TURNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT; NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. IT DEVELOPED A HUM FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AND A SQUEEK IN THE REAR. A NON-TOYOTA MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND DIAGNOSED A BAD FRONT WHEEL HUB/BEARING. TOYOTA REPLA…
Read full complaint
THIS CONCERNS A 2003 TOYOTA CELICA GT WITH A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN BACKING AND TURNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT; NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. IT DEVELOPED A HUM FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AND A SQUEEK IN THE REAR. A NON-TOYOTA MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND DIAGNOSED A BAD FRONT WHEEL HUB/BEARING. TOYOTA REPLACED IT. IT STOPPED THE HUM AND THE SQUEEK, BUT NOT THE POP. WE TOOK IT FOR A TIRE ROTATION, BUT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT SO THE TIRE SHOP WOULDN'T DO THE ROTATION. THE CAR HAD A PROBLEM IN THE RIGHT FRONT. WE BELIEVED THE POPPING NOISE AND TIRE WEAR WERE CONNECTED. WE TOOK IT BACK TO TOYOTA. THEY DID A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ADJUSTED THE BRAKES. IT DIDN'T STOP THE POP AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE A PROBLEM; IF THE WHEEL WAS TURNED SLIGHTLY IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE CAR MADE DANGEROUSLY SHARP DIRECTIONAL CHANGES. MY SON TOOK IT BACK TO TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD "IT'S A SPORTS CAR; IT'S SUPPOSE TO BE THAT WAY." TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WAS WRECKED. THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND HIT A CONSTRUCTION BARREL, DROPPED ABOUT A FOOT OFF THE LEFT SHOULDER, AND HIT A CEMENT CURB. I SPOKE TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE PROBLEMS, THE INABILITY ON THEIR PART TO DUPLICATE AND FIX THE PROBLEMS AND THE STEERING CHANGES. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT TOYOTA PRODUCT LIABILITY BECAUSE THE CAR PROBLEMS WHICH THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE OR FIX. I AM WAITING FOR A TOYOTA INSPECTOR TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. BMW ISSUED TSB THAT REQUIRED THEM TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK AFTER THE SUSPENSION OR WHEELS WERE REPAIRED; IF NOT, THE STEERING COULD LOCK UP. TOYOTA HAS WORKED ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BUT NEVER PERFORMED AN ASSOCIATED STEERING FIX. I CONTEND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM; TOYOTA FAILED TO FIX IT, ADDED TO THE PROBLEM (STEERING) CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR. WAS TOYOTA AT FAULT?
NHTSA ODI #10067954
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL #03V074000 CONCERNING THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR HOURS, AND THEN TOLD CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO CALL WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE.*AK THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE CONSUMER WASN'T WELCOMED BACK AND HI…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL #03V074000 CONCERNING THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR HOURS, AND THEN TOLD CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO CALL WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE.*AK THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE CONSUMER WASN'T WELCOMED BACK AND HIS VEHICLE WASN'T FIXED. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10026568
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 03V074000 FOR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. MS. RICHARDSON HAD 2 CONFIRMED APPOINTMENTS WITH DEALER FOR REMEDY. FOR EACH APPOINTMENT DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, ONLY TO INFORM MS. RICHARDSON THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART WHEN SHE RETURNED TO PICK UP THE CAR. NOW IT HAS BEEN OVER …
Read full complaint
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 03V074000 FOR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. MS. RICHARDSON HAD 2 CONFIRMED APPOINTMENTS WITH DEALER FOR REMEDY. FOR EACH APPOINTMENT DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, ONLY TO INFORM MS. RICHARDSON THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART WHEN SHE RETURNED TO PICK UP THE CAR. NOW IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS AND THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WOULD CONTACT MS. RICHARDSON ONCE THE PART WAS AVAILABLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10027317
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury
THE HOOD LATCH FAILED, WHICH CAUSED INJURY TO THE CONSUMER.*JB
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.
2003 Toyota Celica Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year