The 2000 Toyota Celica has 3 safety recalls and 106 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (41 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints106filed by owners
Crashes · fires13 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 3reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E049000 · May 24, 2006 · 27,176 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 04V566000 · Nov 29, 2004 · 92,577 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
Celica
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Celica
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Celica
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
41
1
0
0
64,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
22
1
0
1
—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
11
2
0
0
77,800 mi
Air bags Frontal
9
8
0
5
110,000 mi
Structure Body; Frame and members › Underbody shields
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Master cylinder; Foundation components › Disc
5
1
0
0
—
Engine
5
1
0
0
68,342 mi
Seat belts Front › Anchorage
4
0
0
0
—
Steering Gear box (other than rack and pinion); Steering wheel/handle bar
3
0
0
1
—
Suspension Front
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 1, 2024 · 133,621 milesTires The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica equipped with Dextero Touring, DTR1 Tires Size 205/55R16 91H, and DOT: Y9JTCHX1816. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH she observed a noise emanating from the undercarriage of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle was inspected but no failure was found. The contact continued to drive at approximately 55 MPH and observed a popping sound emanating from the inner carriage. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where she observed the rear passenger tire separating. The tire was replaced with assistance from a passerby. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle…
Jan 1, 2004 · 123,268 milesExterior lighting The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica. The contact stated that the daytime running lights failed to turn off as needed, causing the battery to be drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the running lights needed to be adjusted. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the headlight switch needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V566000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 123,268.
Apr 25, 2021 · 228,298 milesEngine 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
Mar 25, 2010 · 54,000 miles · crashEngine A TRUCK TIRE WENT OUT AND LOCKED UP MY ENGINE OF MY CELICA
Oct 16, 2019Exterior lighting I AM TRYING TO RENEW MY REGISTRATION FOR MY 2000 TOYOTA AND IT DOESN'T LET ME AND IT MIGHT HAVE A RECALL ON THE LIGHTS
Jun 23, 2010 · 190,000 milesPower train 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
Jul 28, 2014Engine I TOWED MY VEHICLE TO NEWBOLD TOYOTA ON JULY 28, 2014, AND ON JULY 29, I SPOKE TO [XXX], A SERVICE ADVISOR AND EXPLAINED WHY MY VEHICLE WAS THERE. HE INDICATED THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND GET BACK TO ME. AT 3:28 PM [XXX] CALLED ME BACK INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS DONE DUE TO THE OVER-REV WHICH BLEW THE ENGINE. HERE IS MY STATEMENT ON WHAT HAPPENED: ON JULY 28 2014 AT ABOUT 7 A.M., I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK ON I-255 SOUTHBOUND WHEN MY GAS PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN FIFTH GEAR. THE CAR SPED UP, SO HAVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. I PROCEEDED TO RAISE THE PEDAL WITH THE TIP OF MY SHOE, WITH NO SUCCESS AND ENGINE REVVING, I DECIDED TO SLAM…
Jul 11, 2013 · 81,685 milesEngine THIS IS A 3RD ENGINE !!!!! WHEN I GOT THIS CAR IN 2008 IT WAS ALREADY KNOCKING FROM DEALERSHIP. SOON ROD BEARINGS BLEW OUT AND ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THESE ENGINES ARE VERY POOR DESIGN THAT OIL STARVE TO DEATH. AFTER REPLACING ENGINE THEY ONLY LAST YA FEW YEARS. 2010 SECOND ENGINE SAME THING STARTED LOOSING OIL NOT FROM LEAKING BUT FROM CONSUMPTION. SHORTLY AFTER STARTED KNOCKING AND RIGHT AFTER SPUN THE ROD BEARING AND DAMAGED ENGINE AGAIN. THESE 1ZZFE ENGINES HAVE VERY POOR CIRCULATION OF OIL AND ONLY WILL TAKE SPECIFIC OIL PRODUCTS BECAUSE OF VERY WEAK OIL PUMP. SO ON MY 3RD ENGINE AND GUESS WHAT ?! KNOCKING !! AFTER ALL TROUBLE WITH THIS I HAVE OVER PAID WHAT THIS CAR IS…
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
DP02004 · opened Apr 30, 2002 · closed Jun 20, 2002ENGINE SEIZURE