1990 Toyota Celica: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Toyota Celica: 1 recall, 29 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #90V078000 · 1990 · 2,543 vehicles
What's wrong: Air bag inflator case was incorrectly machined.
Why it matters: In an accident, the air bag May not deploy, which could result in increased injury to the driver.
The fix: Replace air bag inflator unit.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #10E002000 · 2010 · 12,657 vehicles
What's wrong: 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, sold as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed above. The affected front strut mounts did not contain a weld joint between the bearing housing and the rate plate.
Why it matters: The absence of the weld can allow the strut to come out of its mounting position under certain extreme driving conditions which could cause damage to surrounding vehicle components increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ride control will notify owners of record and replace the affected parts free of charge. The safety recall began on March 15, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (11): the most common themes are fails to deploy (5).
- Seat belts (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2), electrical failure (2).
- Equipment (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Toyota Celica has 29 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 16 Celica model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 23). Complaints peaked in 1997 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 109,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (27 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Premium |
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 1990 Toyota Celica.
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 1990 Toyota Celica have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Toyota Celica, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Toyota Celica problems?
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (11), seat belts (5), electrical (3).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Toyota Celica get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Toyota Celica 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.