2000-2005 Toyota Celica Reliability Score: 8.1 out of 10

205 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

2 Fire Reports

37 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.1 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar sports cars

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run higher than this generation's overall count, so they set the score.

Owners filed 101 powertrain complaints. A typical sports car fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 213.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall101 complaints against about 213 for similar vehicles

8.6

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced30 complaints against about 40 for similar vehicles

7.7

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20008.1
20018.6
20029.1
20039.1
20049.2
20059.1

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

1ZZ-FE

1.8L 4-cyl / 140 hp

149 complaints 14.3 per year Gasoline

3 fatalities

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

transmission

safety systems

body

Same engine used in

LEXUS IS (2006-2013)TOYOTA Prius (2016-2022)TOYOTA Matrix (2003-2008)TOYOTA Corolla (2003-2008)

Toyota Celica Unidentified Engine

56 complaints 9.3 per year

2 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

safety systems

transmission

other

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Celica, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 74 owner complaints

Cooling System: 60 owner complaints

Transmission: 30 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 27 owner complaints

Body/Trim: 20 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000-2005 Toyota Celica

On a used 2000-2005 Toyota Celica, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (74), the cooling system (60) and the transmission and drivetrain (30). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 74 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica about the engine.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 60 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica about the cooling system.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica about the transmission and drivetrain.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 20 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica about the body and structure.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica

Recalls (5)

10V035000Feb 3, 2010cosmetic

Equipment

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

06E049000May 24, 2006serious

Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

04V566000Nov 29, 2004cosmetic

Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) WILL BE MODIFIED TO MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

04V455000Sep 17, 2004cosmetic

Service Brakes

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RECESS RETAINS A RUBBER SEAL RING, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE END OF THE CYLINDER BODY, AND MAY BE CORRODED DUE TO AN IMPROPER WASHING PROCESS.

03V074000Mar 5, 2003serious

Fuel System

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.

Alternatives in Sports Car

4 engines / 69 complaints

5 engines / 24 complaints

6 engines / 41 complaints

3 engines / 27 complaints

1 engine / 22 complaints

3 engines / 24 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2005 Toyota Celica complaints?

Owners have filed 205 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the transmission.

Is the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 205 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica have?

NHTSA has 205 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2000-2005 Toyota Celica vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Toyota Celica?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Celica have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2005 Toyota Celica. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 205 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.