2003 Toyota CELICA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
47,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 17 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 29.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 17.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10026568 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL #03V074000 CONCERNING THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR HOURS, AND THEN TOLD CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO CALL WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE.*AK THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE CONSUMER WASN'T WELCOMED BACK AND HIS VEHICLE WASN'T FIXED. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027317 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 03V074000 FOR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. MS. RICHARDSON HAD 2 CONFIRMED APPOINTMENTS WITH DEALER FOR REMEDY. FOR EACH APPOINTMENT DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, ONLY TO INFORM MS. RICHARDSON THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART WHEN SHE RETURNED TO PICK UP THE CAR. NOW IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS AND THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WOULD CONTACT MS. RICHARDSON ONCE THE PART WAS AVAILABLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067954 · 2004-04-28 (April 28, 2004)
THIS CONCERNS A 2003 TOYOTA CELICA GT WITH A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN BACKING AND TURNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT; NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. IT DEVELOPED A HUM FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AND A SQUEEK IN THE REAR. A NON-TOYOTA MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND DIAGNOSED A BAD FRONT WHEEL HUB/BEARING. TOYOTA REPLACED IT. IT STOPPED THE HUM AND THE SQUEEK, BUT NOT THE POP. WE TOOK IT FOR A TIRE ROTATION, BUT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT SO THE TIRE SHOP WOULDN'T DO THE ROTATION. THE CAR HAD A PROBLEM IN T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11060777 · 2018-01-05 (January 5, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CELICA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HORN WAS NOT ALWAYS AUDIBLE WHEN PRESSING THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL SPRING INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (SOUTH BAY TOYOTA, [phone removed]) WAS CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,476.
Owner-reported narrative. 160,476 miles reported. Look up ODI 11060777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091622 · 2004-12-08 (December 8, 2004)
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VALVE CLAMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER TOLD DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD NOT BEEN PUT IN PROPERLY. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091622 at NHTSA ↗