1990 Toyota Tercel: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Toyota Tercel: 1 recall, 19 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #92V111000 · 1992 · 360,399 vehicles
What's wrong: There can be interference with the headlamp housing if headlamp bulbs are replaced with any brand other than koito brand bulbs.
Why it matters: The interference with the headlamp housing caused byother than koito brand lamp bulbs does not comply with fmvss 108, "lamps,reflective devices, and associated equipment."
The fix: Toyota dealers will provide a new koito brand bulb with no charge if a non-koito brand bulb is now installed, or should a headlamp bulb burn out in the future. "caution labels" will also be placed on each headlamp housing.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (6): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
- Fuel system (4): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seats (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Toyota Tercel has 19 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 11 Tercel model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 24). Complaints peaked in 1996 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 76,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (17 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 33 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 29 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 28 | 25 | Regular |
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 Tercel.
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.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Toyota Tercel have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Toyota Tercel. 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 Tercel problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (6), fuel system (4), brakes (hydraulic) (2).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Toyota Tercel get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.5 L, Manual 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Toyota Tercel 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.