The Toyota Celica Years to Avoid
Toyota Celica by Vauxford - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Performance cars will always have a place in many enthusiasts’ hearts. Over the years, as the world moved into more mundane vehicles like SUVs and crossovers, we’ve seen many sporty coupes that just faded into existence – such is the case with the fondly remembered Toyota Celica.
The Toyota Celica, a sporty and affordable car, debuted in the US with a price tag lower than the Mustang, with the latter becoming increasingly heavier and larger. The second-generation Celica, masterfully designed by former child actor David Stollery, boasted a fresh look with a lower beltline and expansive windows, enhancing comfort and style.
Few vehicles can claim to have 35 years under their belt, but the Celica did it with such fervor. Unfortunately, the Celica’s production slowed down significantly and was eventually halted by the end of 2005. Therefore, if you’re planning to buy a used Celica, you’ll probably have to deal with limited inventory since its last production year is 2005 – but they’re out there.
Obviously, you need to consider reliability with an almost two decades old vehicle. So for today, we highlight specific Toyota Celica years to avoid and offer insights into why they’re not worth the investment.
Which Toyota Celica Years to Avoid?
It’s no secret that Toyota is one of, if not the most reliable car brands. According to an iSeeCars analysis of over 21 million vehicles, Toyota is ranked 1st out of 31 car manufacturers. As such, it’s fair to expect that the Celica offers high reliability standards. However, like any vehicle, certain years and models of the Celica have been more problematic than others. Below are some of the worst Toyota Celica years to avoid:
- 2000 Toyota Celica
- 2001 Toyota Celica
- 2002 Toyota Celica
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2000 Toyota Celica
The 2000 Toyota Celica is widely considered this sporty coupe’s most problematic model year. CarComplaints.com named the 2000 Celica the worst model year, with 146 complaints and three recalls.
As per CarComplaints, its engine is the worst reliability woe of the 2000 Celica. One owner reported that Celica GTS’ engine was unreliable. Despite driving the car less aggressively, the engine failed twice, each time around the 65,000-mile mark. The user had to bear a hefty repair cost of $5000 each time. So even if you can get a good deal for a 2000 Celica, the fear of expensive repair bills will likely be an ongoing concern.
In addition, the 2000 Toyota Celica has been reported to have significant issues with its piston rings. One user experienced this issue with their Celica GT at around 110,000 miles. Their mechanic suggested that the piston rings were worn out and recommended a total engine rebuild, costing around $4000. This cost was nearly half of what the user had paid for the car in 2005.
Due to the aforementioned issues, do yourself a favor and avoid the 2000 Celica.
2001 Toyota Celica
Fortunately, the 2001 Celica has improved reliability ratings and fewer complaints – but it’s still one of the Celica years to avoid. CarComplaints documented 74 complaints and one recall for the 2001 Toyota Celica.
This model year received several reports about its transmission, which is a major reliability issue for many vehicles. One user reported that their Celica GT’s transmission blew at 36,000 miles. Despite the transmission being covered under their extended warranty, they later had to replace the engine without any warranty, which was costly. They wondered if they had bought a lemon and if Toyota had helped anyone pay for a new engine.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE TOYOTA CELICA
These cars are known for boasting a compact design, efficient fuel economy, and robust engines. However, as with all used vehicles, it’s critical to understand what the most reliable Toyota Celica year models are.
Moreover, Toyota engines, specifically those in models made between 1997 and 2005, have been reported to be prone to oil sludge problems. Oil sludge is a thickening of engine oil that increases friction and heat, eventually causing significant damage to the engine. This issue is particularly prevalent in the 2001 Toyota Celica.
Many forums and discussion boards also mentioned excessive oil consumption as one of the main issues of the 2001 Celica. One user reported on Toyota Nation Forum that if the oil consumption issue is not addressed, it can lead to more severe problems, such as burning an exhaust valve due to carbon buildup and ruining the catalytic converter.
Another user on the NewCelica.org forum mentioned that their 2001 Celica GT uses 1 quart of oil every 2,000 miles, which Toyota claims is normal for this car. However, the user noted that their previous Toyota vehicles only used oil once they reached at least 100,000 miles.
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2002 Toyota Celica
The 2002 Toyota Celica might be one of the years to avoid, but it’s far more reliable than the previous years. CarComplaints has collected 41 complaints and one recall for this model year. While the complaints are significantly fewer than the 2000 and 2001 models, some of its issues are fairly major.
As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2002 Celica has received 55 complaints from owners. The majority of the reports were about the problematic airbags – the gist is that the airbags failed to deploy after an accident. Needless to say, this is a massive significant issue.
According to an owner’s report, their car was traveling at 50 mph when they rear-ended another vehicle. Despite the significant impact, which resulted in the entire front end being crushed and the engine being shoved into the car, the airbags did not deploy.
Unfortunately, transmission-related issues were also prevalent with this model. One 2002 Celica owner has experienced this issue with a standard manual transmission and 65,000 miles. They claimed the car made unusual noises, and a mechanic diagnosed it with transmission issues. The inspection revealed that the transmission’s bearings had deteriorated. Regrettably, the estimated cost for the necessary repairs is at least $1,000.
Overall, the 2002 Celica is a solid option for used car buyers, especially if you can get it for a great price. However, know that it has major reliability issues such as the airbags and transmission woes.
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