IllustrationTHE SHOUDLER STRAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS SHREDDING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BELT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. *AK *ML
1992 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: 2 of 24 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.
- Seat Belts. Review the 11 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 →
- Vehicle Speed Control. 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.
3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
24 reportsTHE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS FRAYED ON THE EDGE THAT CONTACTS THE NECK. THE EXPOSED FIBERS ARE LIKE SHARP TINY SAW TEETH, MUCH LIKE A HACK SAW. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE BELT COULD EASILY SLICE THROUGH THE NECK TO THE CAROTID ARTERY. *AK
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER IN SEAT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. *AK
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY.
ENGINE FAILED
SEAT BELT DETERIORATED TO THREADS IN THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT AREA.
BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT. MJS
DRIVERS SIDE RESTRAINT IS COMING APART FROM THE FRAME, HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE RESTRAINT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK CONSUMER REPLACED SHOULDER BELT AT HIS EXPENSE.*JB
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS COME ON. *AK
BRAKE LIGHT WIRING SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE IN REAR OF VEHICLE. *AW
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.