AI Damage1993 Toyota Tercel: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Toyota Tercel filed 43 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 43
- involving a crash
- 20
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 56% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 12% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 5% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 2% of all complaints
- Air bags: 24 complaints (56% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 5 complaints (12% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (9% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (7% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (5% 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-speednamed in 1 complaints
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 43 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 24 | 16 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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 traveling at 65 mph consumer applied brake which caused wheels to lock. Brake pedal went to floor, and would not return. Problem caused vehicle to rear end another vehicle. Manufacturer was notified. Please feel free to provide any further detail on this matter.
That day, when I drive in rt 21, I suddently lost control, hit to another suv, we slow down( dot number: )
While driving about 35 mph consumer's vehicle crashed into another,and the air bag did not deploy.
Consumer was involved in 25 mph frontal collision in which the driver's air bag did not deploy. Also, driver's seat belt did not lock up upon impact. Please give any further details.
When applying brakes while driving over a puddle, brakes failed to stop the vehicle, causing an accident. Air bags deployed, causing consumer to sustain burns to the skin. Cause unknown.
While in a chain reaction accident was hit from the front and back, the shoulder belts failed to restrain. Dealer has been contacted.
Vehicle impact accident at 11:00 position, speed 45 mph, driver's side lap/shoulder belt did not retract, resulting in an injury.
Consumer states while driving the vehicle at any speed smell strong chemical fumes into the passenger compartment(plastic material) dealer has inspected the vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. Please provide further information. Ts
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 5,758 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tercel has 17 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 43, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Toyota Tercel?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, seat belts, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 43. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (16%), airbag warning light (9%), seat belts (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 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 1993 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 1993 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.