Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
40
Latest May 31, 2014
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.
20
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 25, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 40 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Toyota Tercel. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 40 · page 1 of 2
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed May 31, 2014
THE RUBBER PIN/PEG/PIECE (LOOKS LIKE THUMBTACK BUT BIGGER AND MADE OF RUBBER) THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE POINT WERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH/BUTTON IS, FELL APART INTO FIVE INDIVIDUAL PIECES RESULTING IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FULLY ON AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS WAS EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND START THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST BOUGHT FROM A PRIVATE OWNER AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT ELEVEN DAYS. ALL FUSES WERE FOUND TO BE IN GOOD ORDER AS WELL. REPLACED THE PART AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10595257
Incident
May 30, 2014
Mileage
104,340 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA TERCEL. THE VEHICLE HAS AEROLITE WHEEL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RUBBER IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE SHREDDED AND DETACHED. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE TIRES ARE 50,000 MILE TIRES, WHICH SHREDDED AT APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,865 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,625.
NHTSA ID
10238714
Incident
Aug 15, 2008
Mileage
123,625 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 19, 2005
1994 TOYOTA TERCEL 4-DOOR SEDAN A/T WHITE/EXTERIOR 191400 MILES ON THE ODOMETER VIN#[XXX]. THEY TOLD ME IT HAS A REBUILD ENGINE, IT'S BETTER THAN A NEW ENGINE. I DON'T ANYTHING ABOUT CARS. I'VE NEVER OWN A CAR IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. PURCHASED IT FROM VALENCIA AUTO/ USED CAR DEALER 1535 VALENCIA STREET, S.F CALIF 94110/ TEL.# 415-282-5553. PURCHASED IT ON OCT-12-2005 . THE CAR STALLS,ENGINE SHUTS-OFF 4-5 TIMES A DAY. VALENCIA AUTO TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. EVERY OTHER DAY OR SO, I BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. IT'S THE SAME OLD FUN AND GAMES THEY PLAYED EVERYTIME. THEY DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND EVERY TIME THEY CAME BACK AND TELLS ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I ASKED VALENCIA AUTO TO GIVE ME MY REFUND. THEY TOLD ME NO REFUND, BRING ME MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING BETTER, HOW MUCH MORE MONEY CAN YOU BRING ME TODAY!!! I NEED IT THE CAR TO TAKE MY MOM OUT FOR GROCERY AND DINING, ALSO TO TAKE ME TO WORK. MY MOM WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. WILL NOT TAKE MY MOM ANYWHERE, NOT WITH THAT CAR. FOR PERSONAL SAFETY, I DON'T THINK SO. I HAVE 4 POSTINGS ON CRAIGS LIST ABOUT RE: VALENCIA AUTO/DISHONEST, CROOKS, SCAMS, LIES. KEY WORD : VALENCIA AUTO/ WWW.CRAIGSLIST.ORG FOR THE FINAL TIME THAT I BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE OWNER DROVE THE CAR WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE DROVE IT ON THE STREET, UP THE FREE WAY. HE TELLS ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOTHING YET, TIL ON OUR WAY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE STOP ON RED LIGHT, WHEN HE LET GO OF THE BRAKE THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SHOOK. HE TOOK IT BACK TO VALENCIA AUTO FOT SERVICED. THEY STILL HAVE THE CAR IN THEIR POSSESSION AND I GOT THE TITLE AND REGISTRATION. THEY STILL WON'T GIVE ME A REFUND. I DON'T KNOW WHY. THEY DID SOLD ME A CAR WITH MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10143276
Incident
Oct 12, 2005
Mileage
191,400 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 2, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK , THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS/HER NECK AND BACK. *JB
NHTSA ID
10099190
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Mileage
130,461 mi
BrakesEngineVisibility
Filed Jul 11, 2003
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. AND THE BRAKING POWER WAS VERY LOW. *AK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ONE TIRE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SIDEWALL DAMAGE AND NO TREAD, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR MAIN SEAL, THE CRANK SEAL AND TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. PH *JB
NHTSA ID
10022069
Incident
Jun 2, 2003
Airbags
Filed Jun 18, 2003
Crash reported
CONSUMER INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
NHTSA ID
10024362
Incident
Jun 10, 2003
Engine
Filed Apr 3, 2001
HAVE HAD A COMPLETE VALVE JOB, NOW THE PISTON RINGS ARE SHOT. I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE 94 TERCEL ALSO HAD A FRIED ENGINE. BOTH CARS ORIGINATED FROM DEALERSHIPS IN MONTANA MIGHT BE WORTH CHECKING OUT.*AK
ON 8/29/1999 MY DAUGHTERS BOYFRIEND AND HER BROTHER WERE ON THEIR WAY TO DATONA, FL FOR THE WEEK. NEARING DATONA HER LEFT REAR TIRE STARTED TO BREAK TS TREAD AND HER BOYFRIEND LOST CONTROLL OF THE CAR AND CROSSED INTO THE MEDIAN AND CUT ACRROS AN APPROACHING CAR WHICH HIT HER CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROADSIDE. SHE WAS KILLED AND HER BOYFRIEND WAS KILLED. HER BROTHER WAS BADLEY INJURED AND STILL CANNOT WALK WITHOUT A WALKER . IN JAN OR FEB OF 1999 SHE ALSO HAD THE RIGHT REAR (MATE TO THE ONE THAT FAILED AT THIS ACCIDENT ) AND SHE ALMOST FLIPPED THE CAR IN THE CENTER MEDIAN ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE. HER ROOM MATE WAS IN THE CAR WITH HER. I PERSONALLY CHANGED THAT TIRE AND THE TREAD PEALED AND THE AIR WAS STILL IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE IN THIS ACCIDENT ALSO AIRIN IT. SENT IT OUT TO AN EXPERT BUT WANTS $10,00-30,00 TO TEST IT.*AK
NHTSA ID
726933
Incident
Aug 29, 1999
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2000
Crash reported
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH HIT A DEER HEAD-ON & AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. IT KNOCKED THE CONSUMER OUT FOR 2 HOURS. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ID
861670
Incident
May 8, 2000
Airbags
Filed Jan 27, 2000
Crash reported
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED OVER INTO HER LANE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF. *AK
NHTSA ID
855664
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 1999
WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE IDLIES AND SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHENEVER ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IT WILL SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ID
850857
Airbags
Filed Jul 20, 1999
1 injury reported
FALSE AND VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN VEHICLE RAN OVER DEBRIS IN ROAD WHICH HIT UNDERCARRIAGE SENSORS, CAUSED INJURY TO HAND AND ARM. MJS FALSE AND VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN DEBRIS FROM ROAD HIT CENSORS ON THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN HAND AND ARM INJURY. MJS
NHTSA ID
547417
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 12, 1999
2 injuries reported
I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AFTER I STOPPED AND PUT THE GEAR FROM REVERSE INTO "DRIVE" THE CAR TOOK OFF IMMEDIATELY AT HIGH SPEED RETURNING TO MY PARKING SPACE AND BEYOND ACCELERATING INTO THE BUILDING A FEW FEET PAST MY ORIGINAL PARKING SPACE. THE TOOK OFF AT SUCH A HIGH SPEED AND WENT FORWARD AT SUCH A HIGH SPEED THAT THE FRONT END GOT DAMAGED, THE RADIATOR BURST, THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED, AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY PASSENGER WAS HURT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I WOULD LIKE AN INSPECTION OF THE AUTOMOBILE AS I AM SURE IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
705551
Incident
Feb 14, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 5, 1999
Crash reported2 injuries reported
I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. AFTER I STOPPED AND PUT THE GEAR FROM REVERSE INTO "DRIVE" THE CAR TOOK OFF IMMEDIATELY AT HIGH SPEED RETURNING TO MY PARKING SPACE AND BEYOND ACCELERATING INTO THE BUILDING A FEW FEET PAST MY ORIGINAL PARKING SPACE. TOOK OFF AT SUCH A HIGH SPEED AND WENT FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED THAT THE FRONT END GOT DAMAGED, THE RADIATOR BURST, THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED, AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY PASSENGER WAS HURT. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I WOULD LIKE AN INSPECTION OF THE AUTOMOBILE AS I AM SURE IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ID
705285
Incident
Feb 14, 1999
Suspension
Filed Aug 14, 1998
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ID
826723
Incident
May 15, 1998
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 1998
THE 1994 TOYOTA WAS FIRST REPAIRED AUG 1996 FOR OIL LEAKAGE AT 63000 MILES. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN AT 98000 MILES. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE KEPT REGULAR MAINTANCE ON THE CAR. IT IS CLEAR TO US THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND THAT TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. PLEASE DO ALL THAT YOU CAN TO HELP US. WE CAN BE REACH AT 202-398-6400 OR 202-526-6127. OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS [email protected]
NHTSA ID
539070
Incident
Aug 1, 1996
Airbags
Filed Jan 5, 1998
Crash reported
CONSUMER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ID
820264
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 2, 1997
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTS ON THE INTERIOR. DEALER COULDN'T FIX ELECTRICAL SHORTS. *AK
NHTSA ID
815914
Airbags
Filed Apr 23, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported
OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD -ON ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 20MPH AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG.DEALERS SENT INSPECTOR TO LOOK AT VEHICLE BUT DID NOT TELL OWNER AYNTHING. *AK
NHTSA ID
811610
Airbags
Filed Apr 4, 1997
DRIVER HAS TO POSITION THE SEAT IN THE FOREMOST POSITION AND IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF AN AIRBAG, AFTER DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA ID
516182
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 1997
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSED ACCIDENT/INJURIES ON FACE AND EYES. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA ID
516005
Engine
Filed Mar 18, 1997
THE ENGINE HAS A WHINING NOISE AND BURNING SMELL.
NHTSA ID
515754
Airbags
Filed Jan 28, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS VIOLENT UPON IMPACT WITH DEER, CAUSING HEAD, NECK, BACK INJURY.
NHTSA ID
514248
Incident
Nov 3, 1996
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 1997
BRAKE ROTORS PREMATURELY RUSTED OR CORRODED, CAUSE UNKOWN BUT DEALER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR FROM NORMAL WEARING, BUT CHEAP ROTORS MAY BE A FACTOR . PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ID
807244
Electrical
Filed Nov 13, 1996
Fire reported
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA ID
511376
Incident
Oct 22, 1996
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.
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