1994 Toyota TERCEL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
127,043 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 25 complaints (44.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 16.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 21 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 6; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10022069 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. AND THE BRAKING POWER WAS VERY LOW. *AK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ONE TIRE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SIDEWALL DAMAGE AND NO TREAD, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR MAIN SEAL, THE CRANK SEAL AND TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143276 · 2005-11-19 (November 19, 2005)
1994 TOYOTA TERCEL 4-DOOR SEDAN A/T WHITE/EXTERIOR 191400 MILES ON THE ODOMETER VIN#[XXX]. THEY TOLD ME IT HAS A REBUILD ENGINE, IT'S BETTER THAN A NEW ENGINE. I DON'T ANYTHING ABOUT CARS. I'VE NEVER OWN A CAR IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. PURCHASED IT FROM VALENCIA AUTO/ USED CAR DEALER 1535 VALENCIA STREET, S.F CALIF 94110/ TEL.# [phone removed]. PURCHASED IT ON OCT-12-2005 . THE CAR STALLS,ENGINE SHUTS-OFF 4-5 TIMES A DAY. VALENCIA AUTO TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. EVERY OTHER DAY OR SO, I BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER…
Owner-reported narrative. 191,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10595257 · 2014-05-31 (May 31, 2014)
THE RUBBER PIN/PEG/PIECE (LOOKS LIKE THUMBTACK BUT BIGGER AND MADE OF RUBBER) THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE POINT WERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH/BUTTON IS, FELL APART INTO FIVE INDIVIDUAL PIECES RESULTING IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FULLY ON AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS WAS EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND START THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST BOUGHT FROM A PRIVATE OWNER AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT E…
Owner-reported narrative. 104,340 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800285 · 1996-07-31 (July 31, 1996)
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING, CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO CATCH ON FIRE, WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800285 at NHTSA ↗