Does the 2002 Toyota Celica have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Toyota Celica, the most recent reported on March 5, 2003 (Fuel system, gasoline). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Celica?

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (11 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (4).

How many 2002 Toyota Celica complaints mention a crash or fire?

13 of 29 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Toyota Celica recalls and problems

1 recall and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Celica.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Toyota Celica recalls

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA campaign 03V074000 · reported March 5, 2003 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 15,048 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: This condition may result a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags11
Engine and engine cooling4
Fuel system, gasoline4
Structure4
Power train3
Suspension3
Service brakes, hydraulic2
Steering1
Tires1
Vehicle speed control1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 13, 2014 · Air bags · 165,000 miles · crash reported
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…

May 7, 2013 · Structure · 118,000 miles · crash reported
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…

Feb 20, 2010 · Vehicle speed control · 165,000 miles
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…

Jul 13, 2009 · Air bags · 105,000 miles · crash reported
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…

Nov 14, 2008 · Fuel system, gasoline · 65,000 miles
TL 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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V074000 (FUEL SYSTEM :GASOLINE), BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND IT IS…

Celica model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	2	106	13	2
2001	1	47	7	0
2002	1	29	13	0
2003	1	17	1	0
2004	0	4	0	0
2005	1	4	3	0

Across all years, the 2000 Celica has the most complaints (106). All Toyota Celica years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Toyota Celica have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Toyota Celica, the most recent reported on March 5, 2003 (Fuel system, gasoline). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Celica?: Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (11 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (4).
How many 2002 Toyota Celica complaints mention a crash or fire?: 13 of 29 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 13, 2014.