The most-reported Tercel run is JT2EL46S5P0 (1993 builds) with 4 complaints, 2.9× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 24% of reports; 1996 is the worst model year at 1.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for Tercel model years 1981–1999.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Toyota Tercel has 150 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every Tercel complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JT2EL46S5P0•••••• | 1993 | 2 | — | |
| JT2EL43B1M0•••••• | 1991 | — | 1 | |
| JT2AC52L9T0•••••• | 1996 | 1 | — | |
| JT2AC52L4V0•••••• | 1997 | 1 | — | |
| JT2EL46S2R0•••••• | 1994 | — | 2 | |
| JT2EL46S0P0•••••• | 1993 | 1 | — | |
| JT2AC52L8T0•••••• | 1996 | 1 | — | |
| JT2AC52L4T0•••••• | 1996 | 2 | 1 | |
| JT2AC52L7T0•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| JT2EL31D9K0•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| JT2EL46S6P0•••••• | 1993 | 1 | — | |
| JT2EL4655P0•••••• | 1993 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 138 Tercel runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Toyota Tercel the gap between build years is 1.8×: a 1996 car draws 1.8 complaints per run, a 1984 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 15 | 10 | 4 | |
| 1996 | 27 | 15 | 7 | |
| 1995 | 35 | 25 | 11 | |
| 1994 | 25 | 18 | 10 | |
| 1993 | 30 | 21 | 11 | |
| 1992 | 13 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1991 | 13 | 11 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 10 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 14 | 10 | 3 | |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 1987 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 1986 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 1984 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 1996 at 1.8 complaints per run; lightest is 1984 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 24% of everything Toyota Tercel owners report: Air Bags, 43 of 205 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 29 | 1 | |
| Seat Belts | 7 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 3 | |
| Service Brakes | 8 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 7 | — | |
| Visibility | — | 3 | |
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 5 recall campaigns on the Toyota Tercel; the 5 below cover build years 1981 to 1999. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 07E064000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1983–1988 |
| 08E050000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1995–1999 |
| 92V111000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1987–1990 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–1997 |
| 86V038000 | Suspension:rear | 1981–1982 |
The Tercel against its rivals
The Tercel draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the Nissan 200SX 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tercel | 205 | 150 | 25.9% | |
| Nissan 200SX | 118 | 81 | 11.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 205 reports on the Toyota Tercel, 25.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Toyota Tercel | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 205 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 53 (25.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 11 (5.4%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 53 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 347% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Toyota Tercel share of that is 205 complaints over 150 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Toyota Tercel VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 205 NHTSA complaints from 150 Tercel runs and 5 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Tercel production run has the most complaints?
JT2EL46S5P0, a 1993 build, with 4 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Tercel run has 1.4.
Which Tercel years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1996 is heaviest at 1.8 complaints per run and 1984 lightest at 1.
Does the Tercel get more complaints than the Nissan 200SX?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the Tercel against 1.5 for the Nissan 200SX.
How many Tercel complaints involve a crash?
25.9% of 205 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 11 involved a fire.
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