1997 TOYOTA TERCEL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
25
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL
The 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL has received a total of 25 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bagsfrontal (6 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (3 complaints), and Air Bags (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL, potentially affecting up to 63,865 vehicles.
Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 1,921 vehicles affected
Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL
25 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bagsfrontal | 6 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontretractor | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagson Off Switch Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspensionfront | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Tiressidewall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES AREN'T WORKING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU THINK YOU'RE BUCKLED IN THE SEAT BELT WILL RELEASE ALL OF A SUDDEN.
BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING ABOUT THE SAME TIME. I WOULD BUCKLE MYSELF UP AND MY PASSENGER WOULD THE SEAT BUCKLE POP'S RIGHT OUT OF THE ANCHOR. I AM BREAKING THE LAW EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR. I CAN NOT GO ON HIGHWAYS OR FREEWAYS. I CAN NOT HAVE A PASSENGER RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT.
WHILE I WAS ADDING OIL TO THE ENGINE OF MY 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL, I NOTICED A BOLT ATTACHING THE BELT ASSEMBLY TO THE ENGINE WAS STICKING OUT 4 OR 5 INCHES PAST THE BELT ASSEMBLY, RUBBING AGAINST A HOSE. IT DIDN'T LOOK RIGHT, SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TIGHTENED IT BACK UP. HE SAID THE BOLT HAD JUST "WORKED ITSELF LOOSE". MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS LOOSE BOLT IS INDICATIVE OF A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM, OR THAT SOMEONE HAS BEEN TAMPERING WITH MY CAR. THE CAR HAS AROUND 159,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS PASSING THROUGH AND BOTH VEHICLE COLLIDED.UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Safety Rating for the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the TOYOTA TERCEL
- 1992 TOYOTA TERCEL — 27 complaints
- 1993 TOYOTA TERCEL — 50 complaints
- 1994 TOYOTA TERCEL — 45 complaints
- 1995 TOYOTA TERCEL — 58 complaints
- 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL — 45 complaints
- 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL (current)
- 1998 TOYOTA TERCEL — 4 complaints
- 1999 TOYOTA TERCEL — 1 complaint
- 2000 TOYOTA TERCEL — 1 complaint
Other TOYOTA Models
- TOYOTA CAMRY — 23,209 total complaints
- TOYOTA PRIUS — 15,411 total complaints
- TOYOTA COROLLA — 14,342 total complaints
- TOYOTA RAV4 — 11,737 total complaints
- TOYOTA SIENNA — 10,769 total complaints
- TOYOTA TACOMA — 10,512 total complaints
- TOYOTA TUNDRA — 8,997 total complaints
- TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 6,663 total complaints