1994 Toyota Tercel Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Toyota Tercel, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1841.9%
- Engine716.3%
- Brakes49.3%
- Visibility37.0%
- Seat belts37.0%
- Driver assistance24.7%
- Tires & wheels24.7%
- Interior & seats12.3%
- Exterior lighting12.3%
- Suspension12.3%
- Electrical12.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
CONSUMER INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES. *AW
LAP/SHOULDER BELT ON PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT,ON IMPACT DID NOT LOCKUP IMPACT 6:00 POSITION VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTS ON THE INTERIOR. DEALER COULDN'T FIX ELECTRICAL SHORTS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .