KnownCarProblems2002 Toyota Celica Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Celica, most often about the air bags (38% of complaints, typically around 89,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Celica model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Toyota Celica problems
Air bags
11 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Air bags did not deploy. I hit a snow bank at 50mph and the air bags did not deploy, I needed to be towed/pulled out of the snow bank. Also engine light keeps coming on, with a catalytic converter code but cat is still good.
Was turning out on a highway out of a side road. When struck on my front/driverside fender at a high speed approximate 60mph, my car is totaled, or will be totaled in the next few days, my airbag did not deploy making my injuries worse than they should be. Im trying to figure out why my airpad didn not deploy when the…
Engine
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: engine.
Consumer complained about engine check light coming on and staying on. Consumer had a diagnostic test done. Took vehicle back to dealership. They just looked at it and charged consumer $55.00.
Body and structure
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: body.
,front grill of my 2002 Toyota Celica gts fell off. Also the plastic that's on the bottom front was scraping on the floor. I ripped off the part of plastic that was dragging on the floor and I haven't replaced the grill.
Daughter (17) lost control of car in a curve due to wet roads and speed. The car spun then struck a tree head on. The car was a total loss. The impact was great enough to bust the radiator and kill the motor but neither air bag deployed. My younger daughter (15) was in the passenger's seat. Both girls were wearing…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
I got a recall notice on my 1 year old 2002 Toyota Celica. Nhtsa # 03v-074000. I took the car on 7/21/03 to my local Toyota dealer and they said I needed a new fuel tank which they installed for free. Less than 90 days later my Celica was having problems starting. I took it back to the same Toyota dealer and they said…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Celica. Every time the contact finishes pumping fuel, the gas tank overflows. The previous owner of the vehicle had it repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 03v074000 (fuel system :gasoline), but the failure still persists. The dealer would not repair the vehicle and it is…
Suspension
3 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: front, rear.
While driving at any speed the front of the vehicle vibrated violently. The cause has not been determined. Please provide additional information.
We own 2002 Celica gt-s. It has had to have 4 sets of tires in 85,000 miles. At the last alignment the technician could not get the 2 rear tires in alignment with the front 2 tires. The problem were the rear tie rods. He got a set of adjustable tie rods & replaced the factory tie rods and was able to get all 4 tires…
Transmission
3 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: manual transmission.
I was driving my 2002 Toyota Celica and I went to shift into third gear and missed and went into first gear and the car engine blew up. I thought this was odd because their was no saftey lock preventing me to go into first gear I simply just put it right in and my car engine blew right up. I need help because I have…
My car was making a noise. I took it to several mechanics and was told it was something with the transmission. I have a standard manual transmission and my car had 65,000 miles on it when the noise began. The last mechanic I took it to said that this problem should not be happening with a standard transmission at the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Toyota Celica recalls
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: This condition may result a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the fuel tank check valve. Owner notification began april 4, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank check valve, located in the fuel tank inlet pipe, may become separated from the inlet pipe and fall into the fuel tank. If the check valve falls into the tank, fuel may spill from the fuel inlet pipe when the fuel pump automatically shuts off during fueling.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Toyota Celica
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Celica?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (11 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); engine (4 complaints); body and structure (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Celica have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 5, 2003 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Toyota Celica?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Celica model year since 2000, with 29 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.