VehicleVerdict

2000 Toyota Celica problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 130 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 14.4 times the median Celica year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 31 Celica years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 9 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 46 reports (35% of the total).

130

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

9

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Celica years?

Celica NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 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, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Celica years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Toyota Celica problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4635%
Transmission2217%
Speed Control118%
Airbags97%
Electrical System65%
Body & Structure65%
Lighting65%
Brakes54%
Seat Belts43%
Tires & Wheels32%
Steering32%
Other22%
Latches & Locks22%
Suspension22%
Fuel System11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2000 Toyota Celica have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

04V566000LightingNovember 29, 2004 · 92,577 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) WILL BE MODIFIED TO MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR, WHICH WILL DECREASE THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DRL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

04V455000BrakesSeptember 17, 2004 · 109,056 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RECESS RETAINS A RUBBER SEAL RING, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE END OF THE CYLINDER BODY, AND MAY BE CORRODED DUE TO AN IMPROPER WASHING PROCESS.

Consequence

IN THIS CONDITION, BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE SEAL, OR A SMALL AMOUNT OF AIR MAY ENTER THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE OF VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CELICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE BURNS AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES WITH NO SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1999 CELICA, BUT NOT FOR THE 2000 MODELS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S MASTER CYLINDER WAS RECALLED. HE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 7, 2004 · crash

“REAR END LOCKED UP AND CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 11, 2006 · crash

“PAST INCIDENT THAT I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF. 2000 TOYOTA CELICA ACCELERATOR STUCK AND CAR ENDED UP GOING THROUGH A BUILDING. I REPORTED INCIDENT TO TOYOTA, BUT THEIR RESPONSE OF 11-6-03 SIMPLY STATED AIRBAGS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR DRIVER AND THEY SENT ME A BROCHURE ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 19, 2003 · crash

“DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, DEAD CENTER IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS TOTALED, BUT AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. DAUGHTER HAS SORE NECK AND IS BEING TREATED BY A PHYSICIAN. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 29, 2005 · crash

“ WE BOUGHT A 2000 TOYOTA CELICA FOR OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THE CAR WAS USED WITH ABOUT 80K MILES. THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, AND HAD NOT BEEN ALTERED IN ANY WAY. ON JANUARY 2ND, OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CALL 911.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 2, 2010 · fire

2000 Toyota Celica — common questions

Is the 2000 Toyota Celica reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 130 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 31 Celica years. It is one of the Celica years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Celica problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (46 complaints), transmission (22 complaints), speed control (11 complaints).

Does the 2000 Toyota Celica have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Toyota Celica. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Toyota Celica under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.