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2002 Toyota Celica problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Toyota Celica is airbags, typically around 89,000 miles. It has 1.7 times the complaints of a typical Celica model year.

Typical year1.7x the typical complaints
Year score
51/100
Owner complaints
29
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
95
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
23-28mpg

The worst 2002 Toyota Celica problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    11
  • Body
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Suspension
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Toyota Celica

No deployment 10

Recalls 1

Fuel system, gasolineReported March 5, 2003 · 15,048 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank check valve, located in the fuel tank inlet pipe, may become separated from the inlet pipe and fall into the fuel tank. If the check valve falls into the tank, fuel may spill from the fuel inlet pipe when the fuel pump automatically shuts off during fueling.
Risk
This condition may result a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the fuel tank check valve. Owner notification began april 4, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 03V074000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2002 Toyota Celica

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Toyota Celica 95

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 95 bulletins for the 2002 Toyota Celica

2002 Toyota Celica fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylFWD20-2527-3223-28

What 2002 Toyota Celica owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 13, 2014 · Airbags · 165,000 miles · NH · crash · 2 injuries

Car was traveling @ 50 MPH ( posted speed for the road). He sneezed, when he looked up the cars suddenly stopped in front of him. He rear ended the car in front of him going 50 MPH. No airbags deployed. The entire front end was crushed. The engine was shoved in. The car is totaled. But not 1 airbag went off. Both are bruised from the seat belts & both driver and passenger have whiplash. I am thankful they were wearing seat belts but very concerned the airbags didn't perform as expected. Both the clean-up crew & officer at the seen were shocked that the airbags did not deploy....updated 07/23/14

Filed May 7, 2013 · Airbags, Body · 118,000 miles · SC · crash

Daughter (17) lost control of car in a curve due to wet roads and speed. The car spun then struck a tree head on. The car was a total loss. The impact was great enough to bust the radiator and kill the motor but neither air bag deployed. My younger daughter (15) was in the passenger's seat. Both girls were wearing seatbelts. Luckily there were no major injuries.

Filed Feb 20, 2010 · Acceleration · 165,000 miles · CO

Twice when coming to a stop at a stop light, my toyota celica continued to idle at about 4000 RPM. I tried pulling the car mat toward the seat to be sure it wasn't interfering with the accelerator pedal. I also tried jiggling the accelerator pedal to be sure nothing was stuck. Neither of these stopped the high RPM idle. Each time the only thing that would reduce the RPM was to turn off the engine and restart it. The toyota has a manual transmission and the clutch was depressed each time during the high RPM idle.

Filed Jul 13, 2009 · Airbags · 105,000 miles · GA · crash · 1 injury

Was turning out on a highway out of a side road. When struck on my front/driverside fender at a high speed approximate 60mph, my car is totaled, or will be totaled in the next few days, my airbag did not deploy making my injuries worse than they should be. Im trying to figure out why my airpad didn not deploy when the car was struck at those speeds.

Filed Nov 14, 2008 · Fuel system · 65,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota celica. Every time the contact finishes pumping fuel, the gas tank overflows. The previous owner of the vehicle had it repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v074000 (fuel system :gasoline), but the failure still persists. The dealer would not repair the vehicle and it is currently at a repair shop. The failure and current mileages were 65,000. Updated 12-02-08 *bf updated 12/02/08.

Filed Sep 30, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 85,000 miles · GA · crash

We own 2002 celica gt-s. It has had to have 4 sets of tires in 85,000 miles. At the last alignment the technician could not get the 2 rear tires in alignment with the front 2 tires. The problem were the rear tie rods. He got a set of adjustable tie rods & replaced the factory tie rods and was able to get all 4 tires in proper alignment. My son had an accident previously where he lost traction and skidded off the road but with no injuries thank god. I took the tie rods to the anderson toyota dealer & they said they had never seen that problem. But they did not show any concern whatsoever. I think it would have been prudent for them to get some information & check their service bulletins. But I guess the fellow had found a comfortable position on the stool he was occupying. I am concerned this may be a defect and would like for someone with the proper knowledge to look into this. I was not seeking anything from ralph hayes toyota. I approached them as a gentleman & left with the same demeanor. But I would like to make sure this is not a problem common to this particular automobile. It is a 2002 toyota celica gts. Thank you. I do not have a copy of the incident report to give correct date of accident but the tie rod issue became apparent about 3 weeks ago. The car has been in the shop until that time.

Filed Aug 30, 2008 · Airbags · 89,000 miles · MA · crash

Air bags did not deploy. I hit a snow bank at 50mph and the air bags did not deploy, I needed to be towed/pulled out of the snow bank. Also engine light keeps coming on, with a catalytic converter code but cat is still good.

Filed Jul 26, 2007 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · OH

2002 toyota celica gt sudden standard transmission failure.

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · NJ

My car was making a noise. I took it to several mechanics and was told it was something with the transmission. I have a standard manual transmission and my car had 65,000 miles on it when the noise began. The last mechanic I took it to said that this problem should not be happening with a standard transmission at the mileage it's at. I opened a case with toyota and was told that I had to have it looked at by toyota mechanics. They opened up the transmission and told me that the bearings inside had gone bad. The work is going to cost at least $1,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2005 · Engine · MN

2002 toyota celica started to burn oil.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2002 Toyota Celica before you buy

Compare the 2002 Toyota Celica

Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005

Questions about the 2002 Toyota Celica

Is the 2002 Toyota Celica reliable?

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Celica, 1.7 times a typical Celica model year.

What is the 2002 Toyota Celica year score?

The 2002 Toyota Celica scores 51 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Celica: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Toyota Celica?

Airbags, with 11 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles. Next is body (4).

How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Celica have?

1 recall, covering fuel system, gasoline.

What year does the Toyota Celica have bad airbags?

The Toyota Celica model years with the most airbags complaints are 1990 (11 complaints), 1992 (11 complaints) and 2002 (11 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Celica get?

Official estimates for the 2002 Toyota Celica range from 23 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-25 city and 27-32 highway.

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