2000 Toyota Celica: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 106 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (36% of complaints); the 1999 and 2001 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving down the road in the vehicle I just bought and was going the speed limit and the engine literally broke into pieces and oil went everywhere”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2021
“Car has 140,000 miles on it, and is burning approximately 1 quart of oil every four days. Black smoke coming from exhaust. Found several other people online with the same car (2000-2002 celica gt 1.8l) with the same problem. Problems were noticed as early as 80,000 miles. No visible oil leaks. Found information online regarding a fix that toyota made to the engine in 2003 from 4 holes in pistons, to 8 holes as well as larger piston grove.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2011
“My 2000 toyota celica has been in the shop 3 times within the last 4 months due to the serpentine belt and tensioner. Both were replaced and within a month the problem has recurred. After researching this on the internet I have found that this is a ongoing problem with the toyotas. I feel there should be a recall on these vehicles to properly fix this issue before it causes serious injuries or fatal accidents. Thank you for you consideration. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“This vehicle has ( according to all sources available ) burned oil from the time it left the plant brand new,most 2000 to 2002 toyota celica gt's have this issue as the rings were bad. Toyota has never produced a recall for this issue and it has effected thousands of vehicles.toyota did change the rings out for the 2003 models and newer, so they did know the problem existed.this has caused many celica's to experience blown motors. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 toyota celica. The contact started the ignition and observed that the pedal was sticky when pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. While the vehicle was in operation extreme pressure was also applied to the brake pedal and clutch in order to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred on two separate occasions. The vehicle has not been inspected for the malfunction. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 128.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2009
“1. I purchased a 2000 toyota celica gt. 2. About every 1500 miles there's a quart of oil burned off. I've checked myself a few times for any signs of leaks, and had it looked at by a mechanic, neither of us have found any sign at all of oil leaking out. I've done research on it and it is a very common problem with the 1zz engine in the 2000-2002 celica gt and in some cases has cause serious engine problems. 3. Checking the oil level constantly and adding oil as needed”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 toyota celica. Every three months, the vehicle's engine would consume all of the oil. The contact also noticed that while driving at any speed, a knocking sound was heard coming from the engine. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 94,553 and failure mileage was 88,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2009
“This complaint involves defective seatbelts in vehicle. Although there has been no accident, the seatbelts would offer no protection. Even the rear belts that have not been used are deteriorerating. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2009
“Three times in the past 2 years my toyota 2000 celica's accelerate stuck when I applied the brakes. I am not sure what caused the problem. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2008
“2000 toyota celica tires were worn. Consumer stated that the tires were prematurely worn. He states that the vehicle is in excellent condition and can't figure out why the tires were worn since the vehicle on has 20,450 miles on it. *kb”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RECESS RETAINS A RUBBER SEAL RING, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE END OF THE CYLINDER BODY, AND MAY BE CORRODED DUE TO AN IMPROPER WASHING PROCESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) WILL BE MODIFIED TO MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR, WHICH WILL DECREASE THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DRL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Celica by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Toyota Celica reliable?
NHTSA has 106 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Toyota Celica. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Celica problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Toyota Celica have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.