IllustrationBELT MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE. HAD THE BELT REPLACED 3/02-MILEAGE 20K+. NOISE HAS COME BACK AND LOUDER AT 36K. TRIED LUBRICATING, MADE THE NOISE WORSE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS BELT MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN. *NLM
2000 Toyota Celica
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Celica years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
625–50K
950–75K
575–100K
10100–150K
2150K+
39 reports with mileage · 67 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
41 reportsTOYOTA HAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THERE 6 SPEED IN THE NEW CELICA. THEY EVEN TOLD ME ABOUT IT AT TOYOTA. THE MALFUNCTION IS THAT WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO 2ND INSTEAD OF 4TH. THIS THEN CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BE BLOWN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF TRYING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC…
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TOYOTA HAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THERE 6 SPEED IN THE NEW CELICA. THEY EVEN TOLD ME ABOUT IT AT TOYOTA. THE MALFUNCTION IS THAT WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO 2ND INSTEAD OF 4TH. THIS THEN CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BE BLOWN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF TRYING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE AT AROUND 70 TO 75 MPH AND SUDDENLY YOU CARS DECCELARATES INSTANTLY TO AROUND 50 MPH. THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT, OR IS THAT WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE BEFORE THEY WILL!!*AK
THE ENGINE WILL NEARLY STALL INTERMITTENTLY AFTER COLD START OF THE VEHICLE WHEN LEAVING DRIVEWAY AND ENTERING TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WILL BOG WITH NO POWER FEELING LIKE A STALL IS IMMINENT (USUALLY AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT). THIS HAPPENS 3 OR SO TIMES PER WEEK AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 3 MONTHS. IT DID NOT OCCUR IN THE PREVIOUS 8.…
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THE ENGINE WILL NEARLY STALL INTERMITTENTLY AFTER COLD START OF THE VEHICLE WHEN LEAVING DRIVEWAY AND ENTERING TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WILL BOG WITH NO POWER FEELING LIKE A STALL IS IMMINENT (USUALLY AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT). THIS HAPPENS 3 OR SO TIMES PER WEEK AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 3 MONTHS. IT DID NOT OCCUR IN THE PREVIOUS 8.5 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP.. REAPPLYING THE CLUTCH AND REVVING THE ENGINE AND SLIPPING THE CLUTCH HELPS HOWEVER THE ENGINE IS SLOW TO RECOVER (~2 SECONDS). A SIMILAR START (SAME RPM AND CLUTCH ACTION) AFTER THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP DOES NOT EXHIBIT THE ACTION. THIS HAPPENS WITH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OF 60-80 DEGREES.*AK
1. ENGINE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH A LOUD NOISE (SNAP OR POP) FOLLOWED BY OTHER ODD NOISES WERE EXHIBITED BY THE ENGINE. AT THAT TIME ALL ENGINE POWER (INCLUDING POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKES) WAS LOST. 2. TRANSMISSION. SHIFTER NOISES ARE EXHIBITED WHILE SELECTING GEARS. THE NOISE, A LOUD SQUEAKING W…
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1. ENGINE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH A LOUD NOISE (SNAP OR POP) FOLLOWED BY OTHER ODD NOISES WERE EXHIBITED BY THE ENGINE. AT THAT TIME ALL ENGINE POWER (INCLUDING POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKES) WAS LOST. 2. TRANSMISSION. SHIFTER NOISES ARE EXHIBITED WHILE SELECTING GEARS. THE NOISE, A LOUD SQUEAKING WHILE MOVING SHIFTER INTO OR OUT OF GEAR, INITIALLY STARTED AT AROUND 1000 MILES AND WAS ONLY PRESENT DURING REVERSE, 1ST, OR 2ND SHIFT. THE SYMPTOM HAS WORSENED AND IS NOW PRESENT WHEN SELECTING ANY GEAR (1-6 OR REVERSE). IT WAS INITIALLY NOTED INFORMALLY WITH THE DEALER, AND FORMALLY DOCUMENTED ON THE 02/06/2001 SERVICE VISIT (7486 MILES). DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO 1, 2, 3, AND 6 WAS ALSO NOTED AT THIS TIME. THIS TOO HAS WORSENED, GRINDING IS EXPERIENCED MOST TIMES WHEN SELECTING REVERSE AND FREQUENTLY IN OTHER GEARS. SECOND GEAR IS THE WORST OFFENDER AND OFTEN WILL NOT ENGAGE FULLY. OVERALL SHIFT QUALITY (BOTH SHIFTING PRECISION AND SHIFING EFFORT REQUIRED) HAS SEVERELY DEGRADED. 3. SEAT BELT TAB. WITH EITHER FRONT SEAT EXTENDED REARWARD (FOR A TALL DRIVER OR PASSENGER) THE DOOR WILL IMPACT THE SEAT BELT TAB THAT IN TURN IMPACTS SIDE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. VISIBLE DAMAGE TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR PANELS IS EVIDENT. IT IS UNKNOWN IF ANY DAMAGE TO THE SIDE AIRBAG ASSEMBLIES HAS BEEN SUSTAINED.*AK
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD JERK. ENGINE WOULD BECOME NOISY AND SHAKY. WOULD FAIL TO IDLE PROPERLY. CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR AND FAILED TO RETURN TO ORIGINAL POSITION. NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM WERE THE VALVES IN ENGINE.*AK *JB
VERY UNHAPPY HOW SCHAUMBURG TOYOTA IN IL IS TREATING ME. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
2K CELICA IS HAVING MANY ENGINE PROBLEMS, NEEDS SOMETHING DONE. I AM REALLY DISSAPOINTED, AND TOYOTA DOESNT WANT TO FIX THE SECOND FAILURE. *AK
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STARTING OUT IN FIRST GEAR, CONSUMER HAS TO REV UP THE ENGINE WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A COMPLETE START AT LEAST 2 OR 3 TIMES A WEEK. *SLC
CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AND IT SHIFTED TO 2ND INSTEAD. AS A RESULT OF THAT PROBLEM HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. TOYOTA TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. *AK
MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY. SAME PROBLEM EXISTS WITH MANY OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. REPORTS CAN BE FOUND ON OTHER WEB SITES. CHECK WWW.CELICA.NET UNDER THE SERVICE & WARRANTIES SECTION. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Official recalls
204V566000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Nov 29, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
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.
04V455000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Sep 17, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THIS CONDITION, BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE SEAL, OR A SMALL AMOUNT OF AIR MAY ENTER THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE OF VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP02004 · Engine Seizure
Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.