IllustrationOVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, 3 OUT OF 4 TIRES HAVE FAILED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES WERE APPROX 6-1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 35,000 MILES WITH PLENTY OF REMAINING TREAD DEPTH.*AK
1987 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
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: 0 of 13 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 →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. 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.
2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
13 reportsVEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE, PRIOR TO FIRE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN. YH
DEFECTIVE CARBURETOR/FUEL SYSTEM CAUSING VEHICLE STALLING, HESITATION AND SURGING.
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CARBURETOR. WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLS OR SURGES FORWARD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE MADE LOUD SQUEAKS. THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
AT ANY SPEED CAR STALLS, WHEN TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC THINKS IT THE CARBURETOR BUT HE IS NOT SURE. *AK
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
CARBURETOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE/STOP. *AK
Official recalls
192V111000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Jul 13, 1992
THERE CAN BE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING IF HEADLAMP BULBS ARE REPLACED WITH ANY BRAND OTHER THAN KOITO BRAND BULBS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING CAUSED BYOTHER THAN KOITO BRAND LAMP BULBS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, "LAMPS,REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: TOYOTA DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW KOITO BRAND BULB WITH NO CHARGE IF A NON-KOITO BRAND BULB IS NOW INSTALLED, OR SHOULD A HEADLAMP BULB BURN OUT IN THE FUTURE. "CAUTION LABELS" WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON EACH HEADLAMP HOUSING.
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
1PE89134 · Broken Stabilizer Bar
Opened Jul 3, 1989 · Closed Sep 22, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
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