VehicleVerdict

2002 Toyota Celica problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 37 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.1 times the median Celica year — the 2002 model ranks #3 of 31 Celica years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 13 reports (35% of the total).

37

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Celica years?

Celica NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Celica years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Toyota Celica problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1335%
Body & Structure411%
Engine411%
Fuel System411%
Transmission38%
Suspension38%
Brakes25%
Tires & Wheels25%
Speed Control13%
Steering13%

Does the 2002 Toyota Celica have recalls?

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

03V074000Fuel SystemMarch 5, 2003 · 15,048 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT A FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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 filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 13, 2009 · crash

“CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON. CONSUMER HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY JUST LOOKED AT IT AND CHARGED CONSUMER $55.00. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CELICA. EVERY TIME THE CONTACT FINISHES PUMPING FUEL, THE GAS TANK OVERFLOWS. THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V074000 (FUEL SYSTEM :GASOLINE), BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 12, 2007

“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 filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 15, 2013 · crash

“WE OWN 2002 CELICA GT-S. IT HAS HAD TO HAVE 4 SETS OF TIRES IN 85,000 MILES. AT THE LAST ALIGNMENT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT GET THE 2 REAR TIRES IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE FRONT 2 TIRES. THE PROBLEM WERE THE REAR TIE RODS. HE GOT A SET OF ADJUSTABLE TIE RODS & REPLACED THE FACTORY TIE RODS AND WAS ABLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 1, 2008 · crash

2002 Toyota Celica — common questions

Is the 2002 Toyota Celica reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 37 complaints put the 2002 model at #3 of 31 Celica years. It is one of the Celica years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Celica problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (13 complaints), engine (4 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints).

Does the 2002 Toyota Celica have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2002 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.