RoadVitals

1995 Toyota Tercel

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.
51
Latest Nov 5, 2018
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.
2
Latest Aug 11, 2008
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.
0
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.
22
15 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 51 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Toyota Tercel, most frequently naming the airbags, seat belts and visibility categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 42 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

  • Airbags1732.7%
  • Seat belts1019.2%
  • Visibility611.5%
  • Tires & wheels35.8%
  • Engine35.8%
  • Brakes35.8%
  • Driver assistance23.8%
  • Electrical23.8%

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

2 campaigns 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
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 51
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 5, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

THIS IS A RECOUNT OF EVENTS IN WHICH MY TIRE FAILED. I BEGAN MY COMMUTE TO WORK BY ENTERING ONTO A GOOD CONDITION STATE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN DRIVING 65 MPH AROUND 6:30 AM EDT. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE WITH LITE TRAFFIC, I DECIDED TO CHANGE FROM THE MIDDLE LANE INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. DURING THIS LANE CHANGE THE CAR STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THEN VIOLENTLY SHAKE. I APPLIED MY BREAKS TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER, BUT I COULD NOT STOP NOR CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF CAR. THE CAR BEGAN TO PULLING TO THE LEFT AND STARTED TO SPIN. THE CAR IMPACTED THE GUARDRAIL TWICE WHILE IN A SPIN AND RECEIVED UNFIXABLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR BODY FRAME, AND OTHER COMPONENTS. THE WITNESSES ON SCENE, CALLED THE POLICE AND REPORTED THAT THEY SAW THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLOW OUT CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS BRAND NEW AND WAS PROFESSIONALLY BALANCED, INSTALLED, AND ALIGNED JUST 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AND SET AT LESS THAN MAX MANUFACTURER TIRE PRESSURE. ALL OF MY TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT A TIRE KINGDOM STORE. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE TIRE, THE BLOWOUT OF THE TIRE OCCURRED ON THE SIDEWALL AND NO DAMAGE TO THE TREAD WAS FOUND. NO OBJECT WAS DESCRIBED AT THE SCREEN OF THE ACCIDENT OR BY WITNESSES THAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO RUPTURE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND I RECEIVED BODILY INJURY FROM THE ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, EQUIPMENT, DRIVER, HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC, MAYBE A LIGHT RAIN IN THE EARLY MORNING, THAT CAN EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILING. THE TIRE WITH DRIVEN LESS THAN 3,000 MILES BEFORE IT FAILED. THE POLICE REPORTED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT SINCE THE TIRE IS NEW THAT THERE ARE NO CURRENT CLAIMS TO REPORT THIS DEFECTIVE TIRE. THIS TIRE WAS PURCHASED AT TIRE KINGDOM, MODEL UNIROYAL TIGER PAW AWPII WITH DOT SBXGHSTR1418 2.

NHTSA ID
11149486
Incident
Oct 8, 2018
Mileage
3,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 27, 2013
Crash reported

I HIT A CURB SIDE AND MY BUCKLE UNLATCHED AFTER FURTHER CHECKING I NOTICED WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE IT SOMETIMES UNLATCHES EVENTHOUGH IT MAKES THE CLICK SOUND. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I NOTICED IT IN PAST UNLATCH BUT I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE NOT PUSHED IT WELL. BUT IT SEEMS PART IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532096
Incident
May 13, 2013
Mileage
215,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 6, 2011

I HAVE A 1995 TOYOTA TERCEL AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE BROKEN AND NO HAVE A CORRECT FUNCTION. PLEASE I NEED TO KNOW IS THIS A RECALL I CONSIDER THIS ISSUE AFFECT A SECURITY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10380869
Incident
Dec 29, 2010
Mileage
135,786 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 20, 2010

SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED TO LATCH ON TO SEAT BELT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10366963
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
99,700 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 25, 2010

MY 1995 TOYOTA TERCEL EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION EPISODE NEARLY 2 YEARS AGO. I WAS ENTERING A MAIN ROAD WHEN I NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I REPEATEDLY PRESSED THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME AT THE TIME, AND WHEN I TOTALLY REALIZED THAT THE SPEED WAS INCREASING FROM ABOUT 30 MPH TO ABOUT 45 OR 50 MPH, AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I PUT IN PARK, (IT HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) IT MADE A STRONG NOISE, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY HALTED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AT LEAST TWO CAR SHOPS AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS EXACTLY AS IS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALLS. AND ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER I STILL FEEL INSECURE DRIVING ANY CAR, AND REMEMBERING WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY AND I HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, I'M SURE THE PROBLEM IS BIGGER THAN IT IS PORTRAYED NOW, AND IT MAY EXTEND TO MANY MORE VEHICLES AND MODELS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10314458
Incident
May 15, 2008
Mileage
98,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 3, 2008
Crash reported

I WAS STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC THAT HAD STOPPED, AND I WAS SEVERAL FEET AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL ENGAGED AND MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD BUT IT DID NOT STOP IT, SO I PULLED UP THE HAND BRAKE BUT NOT BEFORE I HAD HIT THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS TICKETED FOR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. I EXPLAINED TO THE OFFICER WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY GAS PEDAL UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSED TO CAR TO ACCELERATE BUT ALL HE SAID IS THAT I BETTER GET IT FIXED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT, BUT MY CAR INSURANCE WENT UP, AS WELL AS THE DEDUCTIBLE I HAD TO PAY TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND REPAIR THE OTHER GENTLEMAN'S CAR. AT THE TIME I DIDN'T CONSIDER THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT NOW I KNOW IT MIGHT WELL COULD HAVE BEEN. MY MOM HAD GIVEN ME THE CAR TO DRIVE AFTER SHE COULD NOT DRIVE IT ANY MORE, AND SHE DIED NOT TOO LONG THEREAFTER. I NOW HAVE OVER 210,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN A PRETTY GOOD CAR, EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE INCIDENT. THANKS.

NHTSA ID
10229825
Incident
Jun 22, 2001
Mileage
25,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 26, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT CAME OUT OF THE MECHANISM IN A REAR END COLLSION. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10037624
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 27, 2002
1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *MR WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITON THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8019735
Incident
Jun 4, 2002

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.

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.

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.

T-SB-0304-17 Obs

EQUIPMENT

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

T-SB-0032-20

EQUIPMENT

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. 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 ? 2020 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.

PG004-97-Obsolet

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

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 Tercel by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000100—
1999110—
1998310—
1997202057.4
1996402058.3
1995Viewing512059.9
1994400048.9
1993430049.8
1992240041.8
1991170040.3
1990191053.2
1989221044.7
1988821—
1987132158.4
1986612—
1985312—
1984512—
1983212—
1982212—
1981010—
1980010—
1979000—

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.