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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 →
13Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
5
19843
19856
198613
19878
198822
198919
1990
Compare all Tercel years →

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

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Electrical System
2Power Train
2Seat Belts
1
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CARBURETOR. WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLS OR SURGES FORWARD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #831970

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

CARBURETOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE/STOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #505179

Mileage unknown · May 5, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

CARBURETOR; SYSTEM FAILS CREATING CARBON BUILD UP ON INTAKE VALVE. VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE HESITATION/SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. TT

NHTSA ODI #964849

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE HAS HIGH CONCENTRATION OF HYDROGEN CHLORIDE. *AW

NHTSA ODI #482910

Official recalls

1

92V111000 · 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

1

PE89134 · Broken Stabilizer Bar

Opened Jul 3, 1989 · Closed Sep 22, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

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