Toyota

Tercel

Subcompact Cars · model years 1984 to 1999

Includes Tercel, Tercel Wagon, Tercel Wagon 2WD and 1 more as listed by the EPA.

The verdict

Best year: 1998. complaints: 3, below this model's typical 22; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Worst year: 1994. complaints: 40, about 1.8x this model's typical 22; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Toyota Tercel
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1984	14Gas	27	$2,500	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1984
1985	12Gas	28	$2,400	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1985
1986	7Gas	27	$2,500	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1986
1987	7Gas	27	$2,500	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1987
1988	5Gas	26	$2,600	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	3Gas	29	$2,300	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	4Gas	27.5	$2,250	1	19	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 32%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 18%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 19, below this model's typical 29 recalls: 1, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	3Gas	28	$2,200	0	17	SEAT BELTS 41%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 24%, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 12%
complaints: 17, below this model's typical 22 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 75 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	3Gas	28	$2,200	0	24	SEAT BELTS 42%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%
complaints: 24, above this model's typical 22 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 54 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	3Gas	27	$2,300	0	43	AIR BAGS 51%, SEAT BELTS 11%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%
complaints: 43, about 2x this model's typical 22 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	3Gas	27	$2,300	0	40	AIR BAGS 41%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%, SEAT BELTS 7%
complaints: 40, about 1.8x this model's typical 22 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 22 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 10 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	4Gas	29.5	$2,125	0	51	AIR BAGS 32%, SEAT BELTS 19%, VISIBILITY 11%
complaints: 51, about 1.8x this model's typical 29 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 15 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 42 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	4Gas	29.5	$2,125	0	40	AIR BAGS 16%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%, SUSPENSION 9%
complaints: 40, above this model's typical 29 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 15 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 54 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	3Gas	29	$2,150	0	20	AIR BAGS 35%, SEAT BELTS 17%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%
complaints: 20, below this model's typical 22 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 75 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	3Gas	29	$2,150	0	3	AIR BAGS 25%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%, EQUIPMENT 25%
complaints: 3, below this model's typical 22 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 93 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	3Gas	29	$2,150	0	1	AIR BAGS 100%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 22 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1984: 27 to 1999: 29

Owner complaints1990: 19 to 1999: 1

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Toyota Tercel to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.