AI Damage1986 Toyota Tercel: common problems
Owners of the 1986 Toyota Tercel filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about seat belts and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 50% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 17% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
In 2006-2007, my 20 year-old 1986 toyota tercel station wagon began exhibiting sudden acceleration and/or failure to decelerate, caused by a sticking accelerator pedal -- causing no injuries but requiring me to brake, shift to neutral, and/or stomp repeatedly on the accelerator pedal to loosen it and allow it to rise…
Belt failed to retract and closing door has cracked buckle. The safety related defect consists of the retracting mechanism failing to fully retract the belt, and the plastic buckle cracking when the door closed on it.
As a result seat belt buckle gets caught in the door, and buckle is broken, causing the seat belt to malfunction. Dealer will only repair at owner's expense.
Owner has taken vehicle to dealer, and was told that fuel tank had rusted out. Owner also notes that dealer noted that this is a common problem with this type of vehicle. Owner is very concerned for safety.
Abs: right side caliper broke into pieces, brake pedal went straight to floor with no braking effect; brake pad was lying on ground;prior, heard squeaking noise
The drivers seatbelt buckle will not release. Please describbe. Tt
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 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tercel has 17 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Toyota Tercel?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: seat belts, fuel system, service brakes. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (33%), seat belts (33%), unintended acceleration (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 Toyota Tercel?
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 1986 Toyota Tercel 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 1986 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 2026-11-06.