1994 Toyota Tercel: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (46% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
40
owner complaints
3
fire reports
127,043
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 127,043 mi)Weak spot: air bags (46%)3 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)46% · 18 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)13% · 5 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)8% · 3 complaints
Seat Belts8% · 3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)5% · 2 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)5% · 2 complaints
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2014
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2008
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Consumer involved in a head-on collision traveling approximately 30 mph. Upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 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”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2003
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2000
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2000
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 1999
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 1999
“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”Owner report · Suspension · May 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 22 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 1994 Toyota Tercel reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Toyota Tercel. The most complained-about area is air bags (46% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Toyota Tercel problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 127,043 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.