IllustrationTHE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE BACK IN 1986, AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS BEING EXPERIENCED. THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER IT. *AK
1982 Toyota Tercel
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tercel years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 0 of 2 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.
- Suspension. 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reportsREAR WHEEL LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTED OUT/COLLAPSED. TT
Official recalls
186V038000 · Suspension:rear
Mar 10, 1986
THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS, WHICH SUPPORT THE REAR WHEELS, ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE A LARGE AMOUNT OF ROAD SALT IS USED TO AID IN SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT MAY CAUSE CORROSION FAILURE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AFFECTING VEHICLE OPERATION; THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: RUST PROOF OR REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. (OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN IN MAY 1986).
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
2PE89134 · Broken Stabilizer Bar
Opened Jul 3, 1989 · Closed Sep 22, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
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DP85019 · Wheel Bearing Failure And Axle
Opened Apr 10, 1985 · Closed May 14, 1985
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND AXLE