AI Damage1991 Toyota Tercel: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Toyota Tercel filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about seat belts and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 17
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 41% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 3 Latches, locks, linkages 12% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 12% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 6% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 7 complaints (41% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (24% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Electrical system: 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.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 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.
While driving about 5-10 mph vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon impact, the restraints did not retract, causing the driver's head to go into the windshield . The dealer has been notfied.
Occasionally, when I turn on my turn signal, or my heater fan, the headlights and taillights, as well as the radio will turn off for about half a second, and the car will stutter a bit.
A part of the door mechanism that controls the latch becomes disengaged to where the door can not be open from the inside or outside.
The secondary hood latch (the one operated by hand from outside) seems to stick in the open position. The spring does not return it back to the secure position.
Driver side shoulder seat belt needs replacement. The seat bealt threads are all loose, is all torned apart. Wearing the seat belt is not providing any protection at all. I have never seen something like it, not even in older and more used cars.
Due to a defective theromosat, the vehicle stalled and oil leaked, damaging the engine which needs to be replaced. Please provide further information and vin #.
While driving the seat belt broke and the driver was not restrained in the seat. Took the vehicle to the dealer, and they said that it was not their problem. The owner had to pay to have the belt corrected. Owner thinks that this is a safety defect.
Air conditioner failed, wetting front floor on passenger's side.
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 Tercel has 17 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 17, about average.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Toyota Tercel?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: seat belts, engine and cooling, latches, locks, linkages. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (12%), seat belts (12%), engine failure or replacement (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 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 1991 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 1991 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.