1997 Toyota Celica: common problems

Owners of the 1997 Toyota Celica filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 8
involving a crash: 1

What fails most often

1 Visibility 38% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
3 Air bags 13% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
5 Structure 13% of all complaints
6 Tires 13% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Visibility: 3 complaints (38% of all).
Electrical system: 2 complaints (25% of all).
Air bags: 1 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Service brakes: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Structure: 1 complaints (13% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

brake failure1 · 13%
headlights and tail lights1 · 13%
rust, corrosion1 · 13%
smoke, burning smell, fire1 · 13%
windows, sunroof1 · 13%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Visibility	3	0
Electrical system	2	0
Air bags	1	1
Service brakes	1	0
Structure	1	0
Tires	1	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

My daughter was involved in a very minor accident, and there was an approximately 10-15 second delay after the car was placed in park when her airbags suddenly deployed, causing minor injury to her, and more damage than the accident itself caused to her vehicle.
Air bags · crash · 2003-06-26 · NHTSA complaint #10023813
I look at the connection where the hatch meets the car and find that the connector had caught on fire and melted the connector and the wire. I am having to reconnect the 2 wires to get my rear defrost working again.
Visibility · 2013-02-13 · NHTSA complaint #10498061
The contact stated that the brakes failed to engage while driving 45 mph. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a stop by shifting into neutral and applying the emergency brake. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the brake lines were leaking brake fluid due to severe corrosion.
Service brakes · 2012-10-22 · NHTSA complaint #10481401
While lowering convertible top under normal conditions and with no obstructions, back glass exploded for no apparent reason.
Visibility · 2005-01-11 · NHTSA complaint #10106136
Consumer took the vehicle to a paint shop for a paint job. Technician informed consumer that the two pillar attachments for the roof were bonded together by glue. Technician would not touch the vehicle until it was fixed.
Structure · 2004-06-02 · NHTSA complaint #10075595
While driving on interstate at approximately 65 mph right front tire tread had separated from the tire. Tire was a continental gt8000, touring, p205/55r15. Tire was a replacement tire purchased at a private owned tire dealership. Tire's mileage was 27,000.
Tires · 2000-09-27 · NHTSA complaint #871680
The same evening that I purchased my celica and every evening since then I notice that my headlights and instrument lights dim when I apply my brakes. Only when I release my brakes do they brighten back-up. I've taken my celica in twice to have it tested but toyota said that everything tested normal both times.
Electrical system · 1998-11-18 · NHTSA complaint #700708
During normal conditions while lowering convertable top of car the rear window glass shattered. There was nothing obstructing the lowering of top, so there was no reason for it to break. Cause is unknown.
Visibility · 1997-09-30 · NHTSA complaint #816744

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19971
19981
20001
20031
20041
20051
20121
20131

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Celica has 14 complaints (30 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.

What to check before buying

Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota Celica?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (13%), headlights and tail lights (13%), rust, corrosion (13%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Toyota Celica?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1997 Toyota Celica from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1997 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.