RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

1991 Toyota Tercel recalls & complaints

22 owner complaints on file. Recall list must be checked by VIN (see below).
0recalls
0high risk
0stop-driving
22complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

Recalls: check by VIN

NHTSA files recalls for the Toyota Tercel under individual trim or body names rather than "Tercel", so we can't match them automatically. Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the definitive list. The owner complaints below are matched correctly.

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

22complaints
2crashes
3fires
3injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Engine (9), Seat belts (7), Latches / locks (2), Seats (2), Electrical system (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (8)

11/25/2005 · Electrical system
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MY 91 TOYOTA TERCEL SEEMS TO HAVE A DEFECT. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN I TURN ON MY TURN SIGNAL, OR MY HEATER FAN, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS, AS WELL AS THE RADIO WILL TURN OFF FOR ABOUT HALF A SECOND, AND THE CAR WILL STUTTER A BIT. SO FAR, THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING HAVE COME BACK ON WITH NO PROBLEM, BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSI…

06/05/2001 · Latches / locks
A PART OF THE DOOR MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS THE LATCH BECOMES DISENGAGED TO WHERE THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *AK

01/25/2000 · Latches / locks
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH (THE ONE OPERATED BY HAND FROM OUTSIDE) SEEMS TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE SPRING DOES NOT RETURN IT BACK TO THE SECURE POSITION. *AK

03/09/1999 · Seat belts
DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE SEAT BEALT THREADS ARE ALL LOOSE, IS ALL TORNED APART. WEARING THE SEAT BELT IS NOT PROVIDING ANY PROTECTION AT ALL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE IT, NOT EVEN IN OLDER AND MORE USED CARS.

01/28/1999 · Engine
DUE TO A DEFECTIVE THEROMOSAT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OIL LEAKED, DAMAGING THE ENGINE WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN #. *AK

12/07/1998 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT IS JAMMED WITHIN THE RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING THE SHOULDER BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAIL. *AK

08/28/1998 · Seat belts · crash
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5-10 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE RESTRAINTS DID NOT RETRACT, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S HEAD TO GO INTO THE WINDSHIELD . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTFIED. *AK *ML

04/08/1998 · Seat belts
WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT BROKE AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT RESTRAINED IN THE SEAT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE OWNER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE BELT CORRECTED. OWNER THINKS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

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