1990 Toyota Tercel
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Toyota › Tercel › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Toyota Tercel. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1990 Toyota Tercel. Newest first.
There can be interference with the headlamp housing if headlamp bulbs are replaced with any brand other than koito brand bulbs.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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."
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
19 complaints4 involved a crash4 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Unknown or other
In april 2004, my toyota tercel accelerated from 05 to approximately 90mph in a parking lot, crashed into another vehicle and totaled my car. Another problem was the brake pedal. Even after changing to new brake pads, shoes, brake drums and rotors, the brake pedal still dropped low to the floor…
In april 2004, my toyota tercel accelerated from 05 to approximately 90mph in a parking lot, crashed into another vehicle and totaled my car. Another problem was the brake pedal. Even after changing to new brake pads, shoes, brake drums and rotors, the brake pedal still dropped low to the floor that it felt that I was pushing the floor when I brake. I had several acceleration incidents. Even when I pushed the brake pedal firmly and continuously, the car kept going. The acceleration problem and sticky brake pedal problems were never solved. I wrote the triple a/automobile club of so. Ca insurance about these issues regarding my accident but was ignored. *tw
- Engine and engine cooling
1990 toyota tercel engine blew. consumer states that the engine blew and had another engine put in but it did not last very long. *nj
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Consumer had the oxygen sensors replaced. *jg
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
The following IS a description of events which lead to my catalytic converter over-heating and catching my car on fire. on 6-18-01, I smelt a burning smell and pulled over to try to find what was causing the smell. after a series of looks I could not find anything any where, however, I could feel…
The following IS a description of events which lead to my catalytic converter over-heating and catching my car on fire. on 6-18-01, I smelt a burning smell and pulled over to try to find what was causing the smell. after a series of looks I could not find anything any where, however, I could feel a little heat between my shift and emergency brake. on my home smoke started to emerge from the stick/emergency brake area. before I could pull over out of traffic, flames begin shooting out of the center of the car (emergency brake and stick-shift area). I immediately turned upon the curb and parked the car while attempting to put the fire out. the fire department arrived on the scene 10 minutes later and evaluated the situation, stating my catalytic converter ignited the car and that I was very lucky to be alive. the fire burned through the floor and most of my interior.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle experienced oil leak, later needed engine replacement, the engine was replaced twice. *slc
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Cushion broke off brake light pedal arm assembly, causing brake lights to stay on permanently. There IS nothing on brake pedal arm to retract switch's trigger. *cj
- Electrical system
When driving at any speed car cut off. Consumer contacted dealer ,and dearler replaced electrical parts in the engine. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
Overheating of the catalytic converter causing vehicle fire.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Due to carbon build-up in the carburetor and intake valves, the car continuously stalls in traffic and will not restart.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Seat belts
Vehicle does not accelerate smoothly or easily and loses acceleration when attempting to pass. driver side seatbelt harness has shredded over time and IS no longer usable.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Oxygen sensor failed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes failure, when brakes are applied pedal becomes very hard and left foot off pedal, reapplied the brakes and effectivess returns. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Vehicle stalls due to carburetor failure. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Electrical short in the dash caused the vehicle to catch on fire. *ak
- Seats
Driver's seat collapsed and detached from anchor upon rear end collision and fell into rear seat. *ak
- Power train › Axle assembly
Transaxle failure. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Driver's seat belt/shoulder harness shredding. *Sd
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While driving 35 mph, vehicle was rear ended by a truck. Drivers seat failed w/shoulder portion collapsing. Please describe details. tt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Possible that the master cylinder failed, resulting in no stopping ability and an accident. tt
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10244113TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
- 10207946POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.
- 10197476Replacement vin plates.
- 10197473Product general information.
- 10188913TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
- 10174891TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174890TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The aforementioned bulletins are obsolete, and any printed versions should be discarded. Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2020 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
- 10163729Dealer Letter: Toyota will initiate a Special Service Campaign to inform certain Tercel owners of the need to use only Koito brand replacement headlamp bulbs. The original equipment headlamp bulbs in these vehicles were all Koito brand. The use of any brand of bulb other than Koito can cause the headlamp to fail to meet all of the photometric requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 108. Owners will be supplied with caution labels and asked to install them on the headlamp housings. Owners who have previously replaced headlamp bulbs will be asked to bring their vehicle to a dealer for inspection and, if necessary, replacement with a Koito brand bulb. Any headlamp bulb of the involved vehicles that is burnt out now or in the future will be replaced free of charge with a Koito brand bulb. Please assist any involved Tercel owner by inspecting and replacing any non-Koito or burned out headlamp bulb with the correct Koito bulb. If an owner has not installed the caution labels on each headlamp housing, please do so for them. An initial supply of these labels is enclosed with this information package. Should you require additional labels, they can be ordered by calling (310) 783-5596. In addition, please install caution labels and Koito headlamp bulbs as necessary in any vehicles currently in your stock.
- 10152205TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0101-11 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.
- 10145776Update on Technician Certification Requirements.
- 10145749Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10145748Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10143953TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, and T-SB-0144-08. Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, and T-SB-0144-08 are obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Toyota, provided the request meets one of the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Replacement Certification Label and VIN Plate Criteria A replacement certification label and/or VIN plate may be requested if: ? The vehicle was in an accident and the label and/or plate is damaged or attached to a part that will be replaced during the repair. ? The label and/or plate was stolen.
- 10133649TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10132084The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or transmission damage. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly
- 10131993This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
- 10131988The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
- 10131984A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system. This bulletin references the correct method for installing the Brake Pedal Force Gauge. Refer to the appropriate Repair Manual for parking brake pedal travel inspection and adjustment specification.
- 10131961Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer expresses any concerns that the SRS airbags or pre-tensioner devices did not perform as expected (including an unintended deployment event), please follow the steps in the recommendations section below.
- 10131713TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and T-SB-0144-08. Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and T-SB-0144-08 are obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. REVISION NOTICE January 11, 2018 ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Toyota, provided the request meets one of the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin.
- 10123420TSB: Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Toyota, provided the request meets one of the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin.
- 10111390TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.
- 10111197TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many lubricants, cleaners, and automotive chemicals contain silicone or other compounds that may contaminate electrical contacts, and therefore increase electrical resistance and decrease switch performance. The use of any cleaners or fluids may increase the risk of further damage to electrical components.
- 10109492TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or transmission damage. Use the information in this bulletin when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly.
- 10109404TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle assembly replacement. Incorrect torque converter bolts or missing washers can cause damage to the torque converter assembly.
Every Toyota Tercel model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.