How many recalls does the 1987 Toyota Tercel have?

The 1987 Toyota Tercel has 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign on record.

How do I check if my 1987 Toyota Tercel has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1987 Toyota Tercel?

Of 15 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline.

1987 Toyota Tercel Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1987 Toyota Tercel has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 360,399 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 92V111000 1992-07-13 360,399 affected

Defect

THERE CAN BE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING IF HEADLAMP BULBS ARE REPLACED WITH ANY BRAND OTHER THAN KOITO BRAND BULBS.

Consequence

THE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING CAUSED BYOTHER THAN KOITO BRAND LAMP BULBS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, "LAMPS,REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Remedy

TOYOTA DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW KOITO BRAND BULB WITH NO CHARGE IF A NON-KOITO BRAND BULB IS NOW INSTALLED, OR SHOULD A HEADLAMP BULB BURN OUT IN THE FUTURE. "CAUTION LABELS" WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON EACH HEADLAMP HOUSING.

Complaints by component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Total complaints15

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Over the past two months, 3 out of 4 tires have failed due to tread separation. The tires were approx 6-1/2 years old with 35,000 miles with plenty of remaining tread depth.*ak”

TIRES:TREAD/BELT · reported 2002-05-20

“Vehicle fire due to possible engine failure, prior to fire the transmission was replaced. (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 2000-07-08

“Vehicle fire due to possible engine failure, prior to fire the transmission was replaced. (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs”

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION · reported 2000-07-08

“4 wheel drive vehicle right front wheel locked up causing the vehicle to spin. Yh”

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS · reported 1999-06-20

“Consumer has been experiencing problems with carburetor. While driving, vehicle stalls or surges forward. The manufacturer has been contacted. *ak *ml”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM · reported 1997-12-08

“Alternator failed.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR · reported 1996-10-31

“Carburetor failed, causing vehicle to surge/stop. *ak”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM · reported 1996-06-10

“Clogged valves. Causing vehicle to surge/stop. *ak”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 1996-06-10

Defect investigations

Investigation PE89134 Opened 1989-07-03 · closed 1989-09-22

BROKEN STABILIZER BAR

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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 1987 Toyota Tercel as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.