AI Damage2003 Toyota Celica: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Toyota Celica filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 17
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 12% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 6% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 5 complaints (29% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (6% 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
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 17 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
This concerns a 2003 toyota celica gt with a popping noise in the front end when backing and turning. The dealership was unable to duplicate it; no repairs were done. It developed a hum from the right front and a squeek in the rear. A non-toyota mechanic rode with me and diagnosed a bad front wheel hub/bearing.
Lf wheel bearing is gone and axle is only thing holding on the wheel. The steering knuckle is damaged, caliper/bracket is damaged, rotors damaged, axle damaged. Extremely unsafe to drive
Belt tensioner won't retract when trying to replace serpentina belt. Most likely a defective part , original. Have to creative finding other ways to replace belt without breaking the tensioner.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota celica. While operating the vehicle, the horn was not always audible when pressing the center of the steering wheel and the air bag sensor indicator remained illuminated.
Air bag light stays on. Car has never been in a crash. I've had the sensor reset 4 x, it still flashes and stays on.
Tl contact owns a 2003 toyota celica. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal and continual squeaking when there was any type of precipitation. The serpentine belt was replaced four times by a local mechanic and the hydraulic tensioner was replaced twice.
I had to have clutch replaced at 25,77 miles on my 2003 toyota celica gt purchased new april 2003. Again I had to replace clutch @ 56,089. From the day I purchased this car I had problems with putting car in gear and complained to dealer, who said there was nothing they could do.
Purchased new 2003 celica gts. From dealer. 26,398 miles paint bubbling on all wheels. Dealer/factory rep. Would not replace wheels. Repainted instead and stated " they would replace if issue happened again. 42,197 miles paint bubbling again on all wheels. Factory rep.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,820 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Celica has 14 complaints (30 years in the data). This year has 17, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
- Celica 19824 sources
- Celica 19833 sources
- Celica 19843 sources
- Celica 19857 sources
- Celica 19869 sources
- Celica 19875 sources
- Celica 19886 sources
- Celica 198911 sources
- Celica 199029 sources
- Celica 199127 sources
- Celica 199221 sources
- Celica 199313 sources
- Celica 199414 sources
- Celica 199522 sources
- Celica 19969 sources
- Celica 19978 sources
- Celica 19985 sources
- Celica 199910 sources
- Celica 2000106 sources
- Celica 200147 sources
- Celica 200229 sources
- Celica 20044 sources
- Celica 20054 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Celica?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, air bags, steering. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (6%), fuel system, fuel smell (6%), stalls while driving (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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.