TOYOTA CELICA · model year

1995 TOYOTA CELICA

25 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995TOYOTACELICA carries 25 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 CELICA is air bags:frontal with 7 filings, followed by visibility:windshield (2) and electrical system:ignition (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 1995 CELICA, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

25
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
8
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

25 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
AIR BAGS1
TIRES1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY1
SUSPENSION1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER1
SEATS1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT1

Recent Complaints

20051214VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD A LOT OF SCRATCHES ON THE OUTER SIDE WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DURING NIGHT BECAUSE OF GLARE FROM ONCOMING VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS. MY MOM'S 98' TOYOTA CAMRY HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 92,000

20051214FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE CAR UP WITH GAS, THE GAS GUN SHUTS OFF BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING BLOCKING THE FLOW OF GAS INTO THE GAS TANK WHICH ACTIVATES ANTI-SPILL MECHANISM IN THE GAS GUN. *JB

Mileage: 92,000

20050703EQUIPMENT

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT TOYOTA CORPORATION COVER REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AND FIND A PERMANENT RESOLUTION OF MY ONGOING PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVERY 3 YEARS, STARTING IN 1999. THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE WAS INITIALLY REPLACED JULY 28, 1999 (INVOICE #C10120). APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS LATER (APRIL 8, 2002), THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN (INVOICE #W66160). TOYOTA OF BERKELEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AS OUT OF WARRANTY GOODWILL. APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AFTER THE SECOND REPLACEMENT (BEGINNING OF 2005), I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (TOYOTA OF SANTA MONICA) TO LOOK INTO IT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICING. THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. AFTER NEARLY SPENDING $800 ON NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF MY CAR (60,000 MILE MAJOR SERVICE, TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT AND BRAKE REPLACEMENT), I WAS IN

Mileage: 33,409

20050703UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT TOYOTA CORPORATION COVER REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AND FIND A PERMANENT RESOLUTION OF MY ONGOING PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVERY 3 YEARS, STARTING IN 1999. THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE WAS INITIALLY REPLACED JULY 28, 1999 (INVOICE #C10120). APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS LATER (APRIL 8, 2002), THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN (INVOICE #W66160). TOYOTA OF BERKELEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AS OUT OF WARRANTY GOODWILL. APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AFTER THE SECOND REPLACEMENT (BEGINNING OF 2005), I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (TOYOTA OF SANTA MONICA) TO LOOK INTO IT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICING. THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. AFTER NEARLY SPENDING $800 ON NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF MY CAR (60,000 MILE MAJOR SERVICE, TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT AND BRAKE REPLACEMENT), I WAS IN

Mileage: 33,409

20050208POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1995 TOYOTA CELICA AND SHE SAID THAT ON HER WAY TO WORK SHE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN IT WOULD MAKE A GRINDING SOUND WHEN YOU CUT THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. I WENT WENT AND GOT THE CAR AND TEST DROVE IT AND IT WAS MAKING THESE TERRIBLE NOISES, BUT ALSO, WHEN I WOULD BRAKE, SOMETIMES, NOT EVERYTIME, THE BRAKE PEDEL WOULD FADE BEFORE CATCHING. I BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND PULLED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND NOTICED THAT IT HAD A BAD FRONT WHEEL BEARING. I INSTALLED A NEW FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND SEALS AND WHEN I STARTED TO REINSTALL THE AXLE, I NOTICED IT WAS BROKE, EVEN WITH THREADS ENDS AND THE SHOULDER BEGINS. I PULLED THE AXLE AND INSTALLED AN NEW AXLE. I HAD TO GIVE THE OLD AXLE TO ADVANCE AUTO AS A CORE. BUT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN, BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT.*AK

Mileage: 98,500

20020820SEATS

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO BREAK COMPLETELY WITH THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT RESTING ON THE REAR SEAT CUSHION. THIS BROKEN SEAT CAUSED CONSUMER TO BE UNABLE TO PROPERLY CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE SEAT BELT INEFFECTIVE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. CONSUMER FEELS SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. *TT

20020424CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

I WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY. A PICKUP TRUCK STRUCK THE CAR IN THE REAR CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO BREAK. THE CAR RAN INTO A STEEL POLE. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND SEAT BELT WAS INEFFECTIVE WITH A BROKEN SEAT.

20020109FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

WE TOOK THE CAR TO A IMPORT CAR SPECIALIST AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE FUEL TANK LOOKED TO BE A MANUFACTURER OR PART DEFECT. THEY USED THE CHEVROLET, S-10 RECALL AS AN EXAMPLE. ACCORDING TO THEM, A FUEL TANK DOESN'T LEAK UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND AFTER INSPECTING THE FUEL TANK THEY SAW THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN HIT OR DAMAGED IN ANYWAY.

20000623LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

HOOD LATCH IS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THIS CAUSED THE SECONDARY SAFETY LATCH TO REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM FUNTIONING PROPERLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE INTERSTATE, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. DUE TO AN ONGOING DISPUTE WITH AAA OF THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION, IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME WHETHER THE PRIMARY LATCH IS WORKING PROPERLY. *AK

19991214STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

HOOD BOLT FAILED. NLM

19990609SUSPENSION

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS POOR STEERING AND LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD, AND THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. *AK

19990402CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE SLID OFF AN EXIT IN THE RAIN AT ABOUT30-50MPH INTO A SIGN, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

19971209POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH SLIPPING. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

19970910CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

HAD JUST PULLED UP TO STOP LIGHT; SUV PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF CELICA; CELICA GOING ABOUT 2-3MPH & HIT SUV; DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HEADLIGHT PUSHED INTO FRAME OF VEHICLE (CELICA). DRIVER HAD INJURIES TO CHEST (BRUISES), FACE & ARMS. WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. *AK

19970717TIRES

FIRST THERE WAS A NOISE AND THE TIRES ARE CHOPPY AND CUFFED AND WORN UNEAVENLY, NOT A CAUSE OF THE ALIGNMENT. *AK

19970627AIR BAGS

CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT AIRBAGS PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD FOR SHORT PEOPLE.

19970422CrashFatalAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VICTIM WAS A PASSENGER IN A TOYOTA CELICA WHICH SKIDDED WHILE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING A DEER IN THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE, AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING DEATH TO MS NATTER'S DAUGHER, THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

19961007VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

EVERYTIME IT RAINS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING, HAD TAKEN THEM BACK THREE TIMES-EACH TIME THEY WORK IN THE SHOP BUT WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED THEY FAILED, AFRAID GRANDDAUGHTER WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

19960327CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 35 MPH. *AK

19960327CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 35 MPH. *AK

Compare 1995TOYOTACELICA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 TOYOTA CELICA have?
The 1995 TOYOTA CELICA has 25 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 TOYOTA CELICA?
The most-complained component for the 1995 TOYOTA CELICA is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1995 TOYOTA CELICA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.