VehicleVerdict

1997 Toyota Tercel problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 1997 Toyota Tercel — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

25

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Tercel years?

Tercel NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tercel years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Toyota Tercel problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags936%
Seat Belts416%
Tires & Wheels312%
Engine312%
Brakes28%
Suspension28%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Seats14%

Does the 1997 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.

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A MAIN ROAD AND ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN STOP SIGN AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF, CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK ALSO VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 26, 2000 · crash

“1995 CHEVROLET 1500 PICKUP RAN STOP SIGN, TERCEL BROADSIDED THE TRUCK AT 30 MPH. DESPITE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE STRAIGHT ON, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. THE TERCEL WAS TOTALLED AND DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE SEATBELT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 28, 2001 · crash

“WHILE I WAS ADDING OIL TO THE ENGINE OF MY 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL, I NOTICED A BOLT ATTACHING THE BELT ASSEMBLY TO THE ENGINE WAS STICKING OUT 4 OR 5 INCHES PAST THE BELT ASSEMBLY, RUBBING AGAINST A HOSE. IT DIDN'T LOOK RIGHT, SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TIGHTENED IT BACK UP. HE SAID THE BOLT HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 29, 2009

“THE ENTIRE TIRE JUST BLEW APART. BOTH SIDWALLS CAME AWAY FROM THE TREAD. I HAVE PICTURES I CAN EMAIL IF ANYBODY WANTS THEM.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 26, 2002

“UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 2, 1997

1997 Toyota Tercel — common questions

Is the 1997 Toyota Tercel reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 Tercel problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (9 complaints), seat belts (4 complaints), tires & wheels (3 complaints).

Does the 1997 Toyota Tercel have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 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.