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1990 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 →
19Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
13
19878
198822
198919
199017
199124
199243
1993
Compare all Tercel years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
7Fuel System, Gasoline
4Electrical System
2Seat Belts
2Seats
2
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Exterior Lighting
1Power Train
1Unknown Or Other
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: 1 of 19 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 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 →
  • 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.

4 crash reports4 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

19 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #511399

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO CARBURETOR FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #511082

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #510247

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DASH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #803124

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 1996
SeatsCrashInjury

DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED AND DETACHED FROM ANCHOR UPON REAR END COLLISION AND FELL INTO REAR SEAT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #974995

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1996
Power Train

TRANSAXLE FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #508054

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 1996
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT/SHOULDER HARNESS SHREDDING. *SD

NHTSA ODI #490762

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1995
SeatsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK. DRIVERS SEAT FAILED W/SHOULDER PORTION COLLAPSING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI #973351

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 1995
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

POSSIBLE THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, RESULTING IN NO STOPPING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA ODI #971972

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.