Menu

1990 Toyota CelicaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 29 owner complaints about the 1990 Toyota Celica, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year6% below the Celica median · #4 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2917 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage155kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 10, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Toyota Celica has problems

29 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags119
Seat belts51
Electrical system32
Structure20
Equipment20
Vehicle speed control20
Engine and engine cooling20
Visibility10
Fuel system, gasoline11
3 other systems31

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1990 Toyota Celica recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 90V-078 · Apr 20, 1990 · 2,543 vehicles

Risk. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED INJURY TO THE DRIVER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other Celica year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Celica median. How we score

'72'73'74'77'78'79'80'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Toyota Celica safety ratings

1990 Toyota Celica 2-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Celica owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A 1990 TOYOTA CELICA GT, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON BACK AROUND 2003, I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. A SERVICE MEMBER CAME OUT TO MY CAR WITH A HANDHELD DEVICE AND PLUGGED IT INTO THE CAR. BOTTOM LINE, HE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESET THE AIRBAG WITH…
Complaint 10819220 · Jan 10, 2016 · 109,000 miles
MY 1990 TOYOTA CELICA ST WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN SAN LEANDRO FEB 22, 2003. I WAS STAYING IN FREMONT, CA. MY AIR BAG BURST OPEN AND THE CHEMICALS BURNED MY FACE AND ARMS. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT WASHINGTON HOSPITAL, FREMONT,CA. *TR
Complaint 10405915 · Jun 10, 2011 · 200,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YET NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE PASSENGERS. *NLM
Complaint 10020138 · May 19, 2003

Own a 1990 Celica?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.