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1987 Toyota TercelProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 13 owner complaints about the 1987 Toyota Tercel, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints134 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 21, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Toyota Tercel has problems

13 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
Engine and engine cooling31
Power train22
Electrical system20
Vehicle speed control10
Seat belts11
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Tires10

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

1 recall

1987 Toyota Tercel 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

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 92V-111 · Jul 13, 1992 · 360,399 vehicles

Risk. THE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING CAUSED BYOTHER THAN KOITO BRAND LAMP BULBS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, "LAMPS,REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED…

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

1987 vs. every other Tercel 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 Tercel median. How we score

'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Toyota Tercel, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BROKEN STABILIZER BARPE89134 · closed Sep 22, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Tercel owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CARBURETOR; SYSTEM FAILS CREATING CARBON BUILD UP ON INTAKE VALVE. VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE HESITATION/SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. TT
Complaint 964849 · May 5, 1995
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CARBURETOR. WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLS OR SURGES FORWARD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
Complaint 831970 · Dec 8, 1998

Own a 1987 Tercel?

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