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2002 Toyota CelicaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 29 owner complaints about the 2002 Toyota Celica, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2002 Toyota Celica
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Celica median · #3 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2919 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage89kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 13, 2014. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 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 bags1111
Fuel system, gasoline40
Engine and engine cooling40
Structure43
Power train30
Suspension31
Service brakes, hydraulic22
Wheels11
Steering11
2 other systems21

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

1 recall

2002 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.

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

2002 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

2002 Toyota Celica safety ratings

2002 Toyota Celica 2-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Toyota Celica frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Toyota Celica side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • 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.

CAR WAS TRAVELING @ 50 MPH ( POSTED SPEED FOR THE ROAD). HE SNEEZED, WHEN HE LOOKED UP THE CARS SUDDENLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF HIM. HE REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM GOING 50 MPH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED. THE ENGINE WAS SHOVED IN. THE CAR IS TOTALED. BUT NOT 1 AIRBAG…
Complaint 10610125 · Jul 13, 2014 · 165,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10510939 · May 7, 2013 · 118,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10276573 · Jul 13, 2009 · 105,000 miles

Own a 2002 Celica?

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