VehicleVerdict

1993 Toyota Celica problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 1993 Toyota Celica — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Celica years?

Celica NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted130 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 3 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 3 complaints1980: 2 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 3 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 9 complaints1986: 9 complaints1987: 6 complaints1988: 10 complaints1989: 16 complaints1990: 34 complaints1991: 35 complaints1992: 24 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 24 complaints1995: 25 complaints1996: 10 complaints1997: 10 complaints1998: 8 complaints1999: 11 complaints2000: 130 complaints2001: 55 complaints2002: 37 complaints2003: 21 complaints2004: 4 complaints2005: 4 complaints
Celica NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Celica years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Toyota Celica problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts739%
Airbags317%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)16%
Engine16%
Speed Control16%
Suspension16%
Tires & Wheels16%
Transmission16%
Visibility & Wipers16%
Brakes16%

Does the 1993 Toyota Celica have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E002000SuspensionFebruary 11, 2010 · 12,657 units

Defect

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Consequence

THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“BOTH OF MY FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK OR RETRACT PROPERLY ON MY 1993 CELICA GT AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE ON THE CELICA ENTHUSIAST WEB BOARD THAT I REQUEST AND I'VE FOUND COMPLAINTS LOGGED ON THE DOT'S WEBSITES. WAS THERE A RECALL FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 17, 2004

“NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIRBAG IN A VEHICLE COLLISION, ONLY PASSENGERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED, FRONT END DAMAGE WAS ON PASSENGERS SIDE, HOWEVER CONSUMER FEELS DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH TO WARRANT BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYMENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 5, 1997

“I HAVE HAD TWO FRONT END SHAFTS SHEER OFF THE RETAINING NUT ON MY CAR. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS LAST SUMMER (2009) AND THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED LAST NIGHT. AT THE OUTBOARD END OF THE DRIVE SHAFT, THERE IS A THREADED SHAFT THAT ACCEPTS A (I BELIEVE) 22 OR 24MM NUT. IN BOTH CASES, THE SHAFT SNAPPED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 9, 2010

“WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER AIR COMPRESSOR ENGAGES, AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 9, 2004

“THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT OR IF THEY DO, SLOWLY AND NOT FULLY. LEAVING BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER TO MORE BODILY INJURY IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I CALLED TOYOTA BUT WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. NOT CHEAP! THE WIPERS ARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 13, 2010

1993 Toyota Celica — common questions

Is the 1993 Toyota Celica reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1993 Celica problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (7 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), engine (1 complaints).

Does the 1993 Toyota Celica have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1993 Toyota Celica. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Celica years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Celica years to avoid are 2000, 2001, 2002, 1991, 1990. The cleanest record among Celica years belongs to 1973.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.