The 1990 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 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
2
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints23
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“In april 2004, my toyota tercel accelerated from 05 to approximately 90mph in a parking lot, crashed into another vehicle and totaled my car. Another problem was the brake pedal. Even after changing to new brake pads, shoes, brake drums and rotors, the brake pedal still dropped low to the floor…”
“Consumer had taken vehicle to have carburetor repaired. Carburetor failed in high rpm mode, nearly causing loss of control. *jg”
“Consumer had the oxygen sensors replaced. *jg”
“The following is a description of events which lead to my catalytic converter over-heating and catching my car on fire. On 6-18-01, I smelt a burning smell and pulled over to try to find what was causing the smell. After a series of looks I could not find anything any where, however, I could feel…”
“When driving at any speed car cut off. Consumer contacted dealer ,and dearler replaced electrical parts in the engine. *ak”
“Vehicle stalls due to carburetor failure. *ak”
“Electrical short in the dash caused the vehicle to catch on fire. *ak”
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 Tercel as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.