Model year record

1998 Toyota Celica recalls & problems

The 1998 Toyota Celica has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 22, 2020

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 20V033000138,842 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based on the inspection, dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate one, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall is 20TB01 and 20TA01.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Celica Convertible

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Celica Convertible

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Celica

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Celica

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	2	—
StructureBody › Hood; Body › Roof and pillars	2	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	1	—
Tires	1	—
Air bags	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF THE FAULTY AIRBAG RECALL AND HAS FAILED TO FIX THE FAULTY AIRBAG AND IN ADDITION, MY CAR IS STALLING WITHOUT CAUSE.
Jan 31, 2020 · 188,000 miles
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS COOPER LIFE LINER SLE TIRES P205/55R 15 ON A 1998 TOYOTA CELICA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING RANDOMLY, SO THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND SAW NO DAMAGES. THE CONTACT RUBBED HER HAND ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND NOTICE A BUBBLE HAD DEVELOP ON THE INSIDE TREAD. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER NOTICE THE TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND RECOMMENDED THE TIRE BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY DO NOT SUPPLY A WARRANTY ON COOPER TIRES DUE TO THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE AND THEY DO NOT SALE…
Sep 14, 2010 · 24,000 miles
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
THE REAR WINDOW OF THE CONVERTIBLE WAS DESIGNED SUCH THAT RAISING AND LOWERING THE AUTOMATIC TOP WAS NOT GIVEN ENOUGH CLEARANCE. AS A RESULT THE BACK WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY RUBS AGAINST THE SHARP TOP OF THE REAR SEAT UPON OPENING AND CLOSING. THIS CAUSES THE REAR WINDOW TO DISENGAGE FROM THE GLUE THAT ADHERES IT IN PLACE AND CONSEQUENTLY FALL OUT. MANY REPORTS HAVE BEEN FILED TO TOYOTA DEALERS AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER ANY SUCH DEFECTS. THE ONLY SOLUTION THEY PROPOSE IS TAKING THE CAR TO A THIRD PARTY AUTO TOP REPAIR SERVICE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE WINDOW REPLACED FOR A FEE OF $700 DOLLARS. *LA
Oct 1, 2003
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES IN THE CAR THREW A ROD, CRACKED THE BLOCK, SHEARDS OF METAL THRU OIL PAN & WATER COOLANT SYSTEM. ALSO ROD DENTED HOOD SO BODY WORK BEING REQUIRED. OVER $5500 DAMAGE ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR! MR
Sep 23, 2002
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
WINDSHIELD MOTOR WAS WORKING BUT THE WIPER BLADES WERE NOT OPERABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *AK
Mar 1, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE SEIZUREClosed
DP02004 · opened Apr 30, 2002 · closed Jun 20, 2002