Defect
AIR BAG INFLATOR CASE WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Consequence
IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
Remedy
REPLACE AIR BAG INFLATOR UNIT.
1990 Toyota Celica Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1990 Toyota Celica has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 2,543 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
8crashes8injuries
AIR BAGS
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Total complaints34
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 toyota celica. While driving at any speed, the contact stated that the vehicle would stall. He was able to restart the vehicle and then it would perform as normal. The contact did not inform the dealer or manufacturer due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken…”
“Patches of the tire falling off as if it is a retread, very dangerous if I don't replace soon. Noticed it at 30k on tires.”
“While driving 45 mph consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Suddenly the vehicle stalled. Consumer was not able to restart vehicle, and it was towed to a garage for inspection. Mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. *ak”
“My 1990 toyota celica has 'surged forward' frequently, always when using the brake. It caused me to rear end another vehicle in the early 90's, no people were hurt, but there was vehicle damage. The brake can be completly depresed, when the car will lurch forward and the brake tension will reduce.…”
“The consumer pressed on the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to decelerate. The vehicle started to accelerate to 90 mph until owner pressed on brake pedal numerous times to stop vehicle. *ak the consumer stepped on the brakes several times but had no booster. *scc”
“While driving 45 mph the vehicle was involved in an accident yet neither air bag deployed and the seat belts did not properly restrain the passengers. *nlm”
“While driving 45 mph the vehicle was involved in an accident yet neither air bag deployed and the seat belts did not properly restrain the passengers. *nlm”
“"takata recall" I have a 1990 toyota celica gt, my airbag light came on back around 2003, I took it to the local toyota dealership to have it fixed. A service member came out to my car with a handheld device and plugged it into the car. Bottom line, he tried several times to reset the airbag with…”
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Toyota Celica as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.