VehicleVerdict

1995 Toyota Tercel problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 58 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.8 times the median Tercel year — the 1995 model ranks #1 of 21 Tercel years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 20 reports (35% of the total).

58

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Tercel years?

Tercel NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted58 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 9 complaints1984: 12 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 8 complaints1987: 15 complaints1988: 9 complaints1989: 32 complaints1990: 23 complaints1991: 18 complaints1992: 27 complaints1993: 50 complaints1994: 45 complaints1995: 58 complaints1996: 45 complaints1997: 25 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 1 complaints
Tercel NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tercel years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Toyota Tercel problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2034%
Seat Belts1017%
Visibility & Wipers610%
Engine35%
Tires & Wheels35%
Transmission35%
Brakes35%
Speed Control23%
Other23%
Electrical System23%
Fuel System12%
Suspension12%
Steering12%
Seats12%

Does the 1995 Toyota Tercel have recalls?

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

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH DRIVER HIT A DEER HEAD-ON,WITHOUT BRAKING, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJUIRES.PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD-ON COLLISION ON 11/98, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY AT THAT TIME ALSO. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 31, 1999 · crash

“I HIT A CURB SIDE AND MY BUCKLE UNLATCHED AFTER FURTHER CHECKING I NOTICED WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE IT SOMETIMES UNLATCHES EVENTHOUGH IT MAKES THE CLICK SOUND. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I NOTICED IT IN PAST UNLATCH BUT I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE NOT PUSHED IT WELL. BUT IT SEEMS PART IS DEFECTIVE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 13, 2013 · crash

“DRIVING UP STEEP HILL, TURNED AROUND, BRAKES NOT WORKING, VEHICLE WENT FASTER AS BRAKES APPLIED, HIT FENCE, WENT INTO BANKMENT, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 14, 1996 · crash

“THIS IS A RECOUNT OF EVENTS IN WHICH MY TIRE FAILED. I BEGAN MY COMMUTE TO WORK BY ENTERING ONTO A GOOD CONDITION STATE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN DRIVING 65 MPH AROUND 6:30 AM EDT. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE WITH LITE TRAFFIC, I DECIDED TO CHANGE FROM THE MIDDLE LANE INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 8, 2018 · crash

1995 Toyota Tercel — common questions

Is the 1995 Toyota Tercel reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 58 complaints put the 1995 model at #1 of 21 Tercel years. It is one of the Tercel years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Tercel problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (20 complaints), seat belts (10 complaints), visibility & wipers (6 complaints).

Does the 1995 Toyota Tercel have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Toyota Tercel. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Tercel years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tercel years to avoid are 1995, 1993, 1996, 1994, 1989. The cleanest record among Tercel years belongs to 1981.

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.