Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Toyota Celica, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 30% |
| Power train | 14 | 13% |
| Air bags | 8 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 6% |
| Engine | 4 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 3% |
| Steering | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica equipped with Dextero Touring, DTR1 Tires Size 205/55R16 91H, and DOT: Y9JTCHX1816. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH she observed a noise emanating from
NHTSA complaint: Tires
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Celica. The contact stated that the daytime running lights failed to turn off as needed, causing the battery to be drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE VEHICLE I JUST BOUGHT AND WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND THE ENGINE LITERALLY BROKE INTO PIECES AND OIL WENT EVERYWHERE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I AM TRYING TO RENEW MY REGISTRATION FOR MY 2000 TOYOTA AND IT DOESN'T LET ME AND IT MIGHT HAVE A RECALL ON THE LIGHTS
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
THIS VEHICLE HAS ( ACCORDING TO ALL SOURCES AVAILABLE ) BURNED OIL FROM THE TIME IT LEFT THE PLANT BRAND NEW,MOST 2000 TO 2002 TOYOTA CELICA GT'S HAVE THIS ISSUE AS THE RINGS WERE BAD. TOYOTA HAS NEVER PRODUCED A RECALL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I TOWED MY VEHICLE TO NEWBOLD TOYOTA ON JULY 28, 2014, AND ON JULY 29, I SPOKE TO [XXX], A SERVICE ADVISOR AND EXPLAINED WHY MY VEHICLE WAS THERE. HE INDICATED THEY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND GET BACK TO ME. AT 3:28
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THIS IS A 3RD ENGINE !!!!! WHEN I GOT THIS CAR IN 2008 IT WAS ALREADY KNOCKING FROM DEALERSHIP. SOON ROD BEARINGS BLEW OUT AND ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THESE ENGINES ARE VERY POOR DESIGN THAT OIL STARVE TO DEATH
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA CELICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED A QUART OF OIL EVERY THOUSAND MILES. THE MANUFACTURER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGN
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2000 Toyota Celica. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) WILL BE MODIFIED TO MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR, WHICH WILL DECREASE THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DRL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE RECESS RETAINS A RUBBER SEAL RING, WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE END OF THE CYLINDER BODY, AND MAY BE CORRODED DUE TO AN IMPROPER WASHING PROCESS.
Risk: IN THIS CONDITION, BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE SEAL, OR A SMALL AMOUNT OF AIR MAY ENTER THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE OF VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 32 of them (30%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.