2003 Toyota Celica problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Gasoline (3) · Wheels (1) · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Celica model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (96)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Showing the 6 most recent of 96 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-01-16 · Unknown Or Other“lf wheel bearing is gone and axle is only thing holding on the wheel. the steering knuckle is damaged, caliper/bracket is damaged, rotors damaged, axle damaged. extremely unsafe to drive…”
2021-10-05 · Engine“belt tensioner won't retract when trying to replace serpentina belt. most likely a defective part , original. have to creative finding other ways to replace belt without breaking the tensioner.…”
2018-01-05 · Steering:column · 160,476 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota celica. while operating the vehicle, the horn was not always audible when pressing the center of the steering wheel and the air bag sensor indicator remained illuminated. the independent mechanic diagnosed that the coil spring inside the steering column was faulty and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not yet…”
2017-08-12 · Air Bags“air bag light stays on. car has never been in a crash. i've had the sensor reset 4 x, it still flashes and stays on.…”
2011-03-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 105,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota celica. the contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal and continual squeaking when there was any type of precipitation. the serpentine belt was replaced four times by a local mechanic and the hydraulic tensioner was replaced twice. the repairs would correct the failure for approximately one month be…”
2010-06-15 · Power Train:manual Transmission · 25,767 mi“i had to have clutch replaced at 25,77 miles on my 2003 toyota celica gt purchased new april 2003. again i had to replace clutch @ 56,089. from the day i purchased this car i had problems with putting car in gear and complained to dealer, who said there was nothing they could do. i've driven manual toyota cars since 1966 and never had any clutch re…”
2008-06-07 · Wheels · 25,684 mi“purchased new 2003 celica gts. from dealer. 26,398 miles paint bubbling on all wheels. dealer/factory rep. would not replace wheels. repainted instead and stated " they would replace if issue happened again. 42,197 miles paint bubbling again on all wheels. factory rep. refused to replace/repair." dealer will not replace either. *tr…”
2006-10-16 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 65,700 mi“this may be related to nhtsa campaign id number : 03v074000 per original recall, fuel tank assembly was replaced by toyota dealership on 07/08/2003. on 10/08/2006, the same problem was encountered while attempting to put fuel in the vehicle. fueling is now difficult and very time consuming. only about one-tenth of a gallon can be pumped before …”
2006-01-30 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate:support Device/Strut · 30 mi“i have a 2003 toyota celica and the hatchback will not stay up. toyota has tried to fix it, but finally said tough luck, they could do nothing about this and i feel this is wrong. *ak…”
2005-12-08 · Tires:tread/Belt · 47,800 mi“dt: the contact states while driving the tread separated from the sidewall on the front driver's side tire. the separation was approximately ten inches long. the contact replaced the tire, but no one has looked at the tire to determine why this occurred. *ak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.