RoadVitals

1999 Toyota Celica

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Apr 15, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jan 22, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Toyota Celica, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, seat belts and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 45 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels330.0%
  • Seat belts220.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Airbags110.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Transmission110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V033000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 22, 2020
138,842 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.
The remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based on the inspection, dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate one, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall is 20TB01 and 20TA01.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 20TB01/20TA01View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP02004ClosedDefect Petition

ENGINE SEIZURE

Opened Apr 30, 2002
Closed Jun 20, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Airbags
Filed Apr 15, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CELICA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V03300 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HAMER TOYOTA (11041 SEPULVEDA BLVD., MISSION HILLS, CA 91345, (818) 365-9621) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11321189
Incident
Jan 22, 2020
Seat belts
Filed Jun 22, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CELICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME LOOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/16/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10726661
Incident
Jan 18, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 22, 2015

THE SEAT BELT STOPPED ROLLING AND LOOSE. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING REGARDLESS OF AGE. MY SON BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION ON JUNE 21, 2015.

NHTSA ID
10726660
Incident
Jan 1, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CELICA. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER LIFELINER TOURING SLE TIRES, SIZE 205/55R16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE METAL BELT BUSTED THROUGH AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED AS WELL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID
10237708
Incident
Jul 25, 2008
Mileage
155,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 19, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA CELICA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS OF JUNE 19, 2007, THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 6,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500.

NHTSA ID
10193732
Incident
Jun 11, 2007
Mileage
5,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 18, 2004

VEHICLE SPUTTERS WHILE DRIVING WHEN GEARS SHIFT. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE 1ST CYLINDER IS ONLY OPERATING AT 1/2 ITS PRESSURE CAPACITY. A MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A CRACKED O-RING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089193
Incident
Jul 28, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 23, 2002

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS WHEN WASHED. ALSO THE PINS THAT HOLD THE TOP TOGETHER HAVE COME APART.*AK

NHTSA ID
764636
Incident
May 1, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 19, 2001

CONSUMER STATES TREAD ON TIRES IS VERY UNSTABLE AND ROCKY, VEHICLE CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT EVEN AFTER A WHEEL ALIGNEMENT, VEHICLE SHAKES UNCONROLLABLY AT 80 MPH, AND THERE IS NO PICK UP WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS FLOORED, CONSUMER HAS COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.(MICHELIN TIRES P2055R15)*JB

NHTSA ID
785745

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB003220

AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

TTT063620

BACK OVER PREVENTION; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

Toyota PRO19-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

Toyota Safety Re

AIR BAGS

Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

T-TT-0636-20 Rev

BACK OVER PREVENTION; SERVICE BRAKES

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

T-SB-0032-20 Rev

EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Celica by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006000—
2005410—
2004400—
2003171040.2
2002291052.3
2001471045.5
20001063158.8
1999Viewing101135.7
1998511—
1997801—
1996911—
1995220046.0
1994140046.6
1993131038.6
1992211054.0
1991271053.2
1990292060.4
1989111246.9
1988612—
1987512—
1986910—
1985700—
1984300—
1983300—
1982411—
1981000—
1980210—
1979100—
1978100—
1977100—
1976000—
1975000—
1974100—
1973010—
1972010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.