2002 Toyota Celica: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Car was traveling @ 50 mph ( posted speed for the road). He sneezed, when he looked up the cars suddenly stopped in front of him. He rear ended the car in front of him going 50 mph. No airbags deployed. The entire front end was crushed. The engine was shoved in. The car is totaled. But not 1 airbag went off. Both are bruised from the seat belts & both driver and passenger have whiplash. I am thankful they were wearing seat belts but very concerned the airbags didn't perform as expected. Both the clean-up crew & officer at the seen were shocked that the airbags did not deploy....updated 07/23/14 *bf”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2014
“Daughter (17) lost control of car in a curve due to wet roads and speed. The car spun then struck a tree head on. The car was a total loss. The impact was great enough to bust the radiator and kill the motor but neither air bag deployed. My younger daughter (15) was in the passenger's seat. Both girls were wearing seatbelts. Luckily there were no major injuries. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2013
“Was turning out on a highway out of a side road. When struck on my front/driverside fender at a high speed approximate 60mph, my car is totaled, or will be totaled in the next few days, my airbag did not deploy making my injuries worse than they should be. Im trying to figure out why my airpad didn not deploy when the car was struck at those speeds. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Twice when coming to a stop at a stop light, my toyota celica continued to idle at about 4000 rpm. I tried pulling the car mat toward the seat to be sure it wasn't interfering with the accelerator pedal. I also tried jiggling the accelerator pedal to be sure nothing was stuck. Neither of these stopped the high rpm idle. Each time the only thing that would reduce the rpm was to turn off the engine and restart it. The toyota has a manual transmission and the clutch was depressed each time during the high rpm idle. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2009
“Air bags did not deploy. I hit a snow bank at 50mph and the air bags did not deploy, I needed to be towed/pulled out of the snow bank. Also engine light keeps coming on, with a catalytic converter code but cat is still good. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota celica. Every time the contact finishes pumping fuel, the gas tank overflows. The previous owner of the vehicle had it repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 03v074000 (fuel system :gasoline), but the failure still persists. The dealer would not repair the vehicle and it is currently at a repair shop. The failure and current mileages were 65,000. Updated 12-02-08 *bf updated 12/02/08. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2007
“My car was making a noise. I took it to several mechanics and was told it was something with the transmission. I have a standard manual transmission and my car had 65,000 miles on it when the noise began. The last mechanic I took it to said that this problem should not be happening with a standard transmission at the mileage it's at. I opened a case with toyota and was told that I had to have it looked at by toyota mechanics. They opened up the transmission and told me that the bearings inside had gone bad. The work is going to cost at least $1,000. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2006
“While driving at any speed the front of the vehicle vibrated violently. The cause has not been determined. Please provide additional information. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2005
“A 2002 toyota celica, driven by our 16 year old daughter, exiting off of I-295-designated speed- 65 mph,was exiting onto I-10 eastbound ramp, and unable to slow down, lost control of her vehicle, and hit a light pole. The air bags did not deploy. *jb upon examination of the car at nimnicht cadillac on blanding blvd, it was found that the car had brake failure which caused the accident. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2004
“,front grill of my 2002 toyota celica gts fell off. Also the plastic that's on the bottom front was scraping on the floor. I ripped off the part of plastic that was dragging on the floor and I haven't replaced the grill. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 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 2002 Toyota Celica reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2002 Toyota Celica. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2002 Toyota Celica have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.