Research · Subcompact Cars
2004 Toyota CelicaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Celica. Most complaints involve seat belts (1) and power train (1). The EPA rates it 24–28 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
24–28mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
4
Top: seat belts
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Toyota Celica as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2005 – Apr 2016
- Seat belts1
- Power train1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Seat belts
1 report
“MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT EASILY. IF I EXTEND IT OUT TO PUT IT ON WITH SLACK, AND LET GO, IT STAYS SLACKED. I HAVE TO MOVE IT IN AND OUT A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT FEELS "SNUG". POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE LUBRICATION GUMMING UP THE GEARS AND THE FUNCTION OF THE SEAT BELT. BEFORE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, I HIT THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT AND IT JUST SITS THERE AND NEVER RETRACTS BACK IN.”
Power train
1 report
“AT AROUND 70,000 MILES (AROUND JAN 2012), MY CELICA (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) BEGAN SLIPPING OUT OF 3RD GEAR, SPORADICALLY. I CONSULTED WITH A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND THEY TOLD ME THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF FIXING THE PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION (GIVEN HOW LABOR-INTENSIVE OPENING THE TRANSMISSION IS). GIVEN THE LOW MILEAGE (I'M NOW AT 79,000), I'M OUTRAGED! I CALLED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN REPAIRS BECAUSE I WAS PAST THE 60,000 WARRANTY. I ASKED THE PERSON WHO TOOK MY CALL IF HE WOULD AGREE THAT IT WAS RIDICULOUS THAT MY CAR COULD FALL APART AT 60,001 WITH NO RECOURSE, AND HE SAID, "I WOULD AGREE THAT IT'S RIDICULOUS." IT COSTS $2288.82 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, PLUS AROUND $1036 TO INSTALL. THE CAR NOW WON'T STAY IN 3RD GEAR AT ALL NOW. SO, I'VE BEEN BYPASSING THE 3RD GEAR, KNOWING THAT I'M ON BORROWED TIME. *TR”
Vehicle speed control
1 report
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CELICA. WHILE DRIVING FLOOR-MAT INTERFERENCE CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED HER THAT THE DEALER COULD INSTALL A NEW CLIP TO SECURE THE FLOOR-MAT. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S4)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celica Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 317 |
| Celica Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,450 | 342 |
| Celica Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 25 | $3,200 | 355 |
| Celica Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
- 28mpg comb.
- 26mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Toyota Celica as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1287
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2004 Celica questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Celica have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.
What are the most common 2004 Toyota Celica problems?
Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (1), power train (1), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Toyota Celica get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Toyota Celica at 24–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026