1982 Toyota Celica recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. SOLDERED TERMINALS OF THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER MAY DEVELOP CRACKS DUE TO IMPROPER APPLICATION OF THE COATING TO THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CONTINUED USE OF CRUISE CONTROL COULD LEAD TO COMPLETE SEPARATION OF SOLDERED TERMINALS AND CIRCUIT FAILURE; ENGINE SPEED WOULD INSTANTLY RACE AND VEHICLE COULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
What could happen:
The fix: REPLACE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER, IF NECESSARY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1982 CELICA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V132000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: SOLDERED TERMINALS OF THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER MAY DEVELOP CRACKS DUE TO IMPROPER APPLICATION OF THE COATING TO THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CONTINUED USE OF CRUISE CONTROL COULD LEAD TO COMPLETE SEPARATION OF SOLDERED TERMINALS AND CIRCUIT FAILURE; ENGINE SPEED WOULD INSTANTLY RACE AND VEHICLE COULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Consequence:
Remedy: REPLACE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER, IF NECESSARY.
Notes: SYSTEM: CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (2), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
02/22/2010 · Transmission / drivetrain
IN 1984, I OWNED A TOYOTA CELICA AND WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING WHEN I HAD THE CAR SPED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN. WELL AHEAD OF RECENT COMPLAINTS. AS I CAME DOWN A BUSY OFF-RAMP, I COULD DO NOTHING BUT TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND STRESSED OVER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT THAT MOMENT WITH…
08/31/2004 · Seat belts
THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER WERE NOT RESTRAINED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD SEAT BELT CAMPAIGN SSC 604 COMPLETE BUT IT DID NOT HELP. THE SET BELTS HAVE NOW BECOME BROKEN BECAUSE THEY HANG OUT OF THE DOOR WHEN IT IS BEING SHUT. *NM
10/30/2003 · Body / structure · crash
SOMEONE NEEDS TO TELL OFF. [XXX] THERE ARE PENALTIES FOR FILING A FALSE POLICE REPORT. MY NAME IS [XXX]. ON 23 OCT 03 1530 HRS I WAS DRIVING E ON W. WASH. BLVD. AND INTO THE L T/L INTO THE INTERSECTION WHILE THE ARROW WAS G. TRAFFIC KEPT ME FROM TURNING UNTIL THE LIGHT WAS R. WHILE TURNING THE LIGHT FLASHED FROM ONE OF 4 CAMERAS AND A WEST BOUND DRIVER…
01/19/1999 · Seat belts
BOTH THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING. THEY DO NOT ADJUST OR STOP WHEN PULLED ON QUICKLY TO SIMULATE AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THREE LOCAL DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THE SEAT BELTS ARE ONLY WARRANTIED FOR 60,000 MILES. I THOUGHT THAT SEAT BELTS CARRIED A LIFETIME WARRANTY. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON THIS. THANK YOU.