1991 Toyota Tercel Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1991 Toyota Tercel. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
3
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
1fires
SEAT BELTS
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
2
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
1
Total complaints18

What owners report

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

“The electrical system on my 91 toyota tercel seems to have a defect. Occasionally, when I turn on my turn signal, or my heater fan, the headlights and taillights, as well as the radio will turn off for about half a second, and the car will stutter a bit. So far, the lights and everything have come…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2005-11-24

“A part of the door mechanism that controls the latch becomes disengaged to where the door can not be open from the inside or outside. *ak”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · reported 2001-06-05

“The secondary hood latch (the one operated by hand from outside) seems to stick in the open position. The spring does not return it back to the secure position. *ak”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · reported 2000-01-14

“Due to a defective theromosat, the vehicle stalled and oil leaked, damaging the engine which needs to be replaced. Please provide further information and vin #. *ak”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 1998-11-01

“Due to a defective theromosat, the vehicle stalled and oil leaked, damaging the engine which needs to be replaced. Please provide further information and vin #. *ak”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY · reported 1998-11-01

“While driving about 5-10 mph vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon impact, the restraints did not retract, causing the driver's head to go into the windshield . The dealer has been notfied. *ak *ml”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · reported 1997-10-20

“Consumer was driving and car caught on fire, please describe. *ak”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 1996-07-04

“Tercel was hit head on; shoulder belts did not restrain driver & passenger. *ak”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING · reported 1996-06-23
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 1991 Toyota Tercel as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.