1997 Toyota Tercel: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Toyota Tercel: 0 recalls, 20 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (8): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
- Seat belts (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (3): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Tires (2): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (2).
The 1997 Toyota Tercel has 20 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 11 Tercel model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 24). Complaints peaked in 2001 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 154,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (40 complaints, 0 recalls), 1998 (3 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 35 | 31 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 31 | 27 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Toyota Tercel.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Toyota Tercel have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1997 Toyota Tercel, but 2 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1997 Toyota Tercel problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (8), seat belts (4), engine & cooling (3).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Tercel get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Toyota Tercel repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.