NHTSA Complaint #751381 — 2000 TOYOTA CELICA

1. ENGINE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH A LOUD NOISE (SNAP OR POP) FOLLOWED BY OTHER ODD NOISES WERE EXHIBITED BY THE ENGINE. AT THAT TIME ALL ENGINE POWER (INCLUDING POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKES) WAS LOST. 2. TRANSMISSION. SHIFTER NOISES ARE EXHIBITED WHILE SELECTING GEARS. THE NOISE, A LOUD SQUEAKING WHILE MOVING SHIFTER INTO OR OUT OF GEAR, INITIALLY STARTED AT AROUND 1000 MILES AND WAS ONLY PRESENT DURING REVERSE, 1ST, OR 2ND SHIFT. THE SYMPTOM HAS WORSENED AND IS NOW PRESENT WHEN SELECTING ANY GEAR (1-6 OR REVERSE). IT WAS INITIALLY NOTED INFORMALLY WITH THE DEALER, AND FORMALLY DOCUMENTED ON THE 02/06/2001 SERVICE VISIT (7486 MILES). DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO 1, 2, 3, AND 6 WAS ALSO NOTED AT THIS TIME. THIS TOO HAS WORSENED, GRINDING IS EXPERIENCED MOST TIMES WHEN SELECTING REVERSE AND FREQUENTLY IN OTHER GEARS. SECOND GEAR IS THE WORST OFFENDER AND OFTEN WILL NOT ENGAGE FULLY. OVERALL SHIFT QUALITY (BOTH SHIFTING PRECISION AND SHIFING EFFORT REQUIRED) HAS SEVERELY DEGRADED. 3. SEAT BELT TAB. WITH EITHER FRONT SEAT EXTENDED REARWARD (FOR A TALL DRIVER OR PASSENGER) THE DOOR WILL IMPACT THE SEAT BELT TAB THAT IN TURN IMPACTS SIDE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. VISIBLE DAMAGE TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR PANELS IS EVIDENT. IT IS UNKNOWN IF ANY DAMAGE TO THE SIDE AIRBAG ASSEMBLIES HAS BEEN SUSTAINED.*AK