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2003 Toyota CelicaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 17 owner complaints about the 2003 Toyota Celica, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 Toyota Celica
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints172 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage66kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 16, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Toyota Celica has problems

17 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
Fuel system, gasoline40
Steering20
Structure20
Air bags20
Latches/locks/linkages11
Power train10
Service brakes10
Suspension11
Tires10
5 other systems50

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

1 recall

2003 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

2003 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

2003 Toyota Celica safety ratings

2003 Toyota Celica 2-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Toyota Celica frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2003 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 fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THIS MAY BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V074000 PER ORIGINAL RECALL, FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 07/08/2003. ON 10/08/2006, THE SAME PROBLEM WAS ENCOUNTERED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. FUELING IS NOW DIFFICULT AND VERY TIME CONSUMING. ONLY…
Complaint 10170894 · Oct 16, 2006 · 65,700 miles
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VALVE CLAMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER TOLD DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED…
Complaint 10091622 · Dec 8, 2004
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 03V074000 FOR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. MS. RICHARDSON HAD 2 CONFIRMED APPOINTMENTS WITH DEALER FOR REMEDY. FOR EACH APPOINTMENT DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, ONLY TO INFORM MS. RICHARDSON THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART WHEN SHE RETURNED TO PICK UP…
Complaint 10027317 · Jul 15, 2003

Own a 2003 Celica?

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