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Research · Subcompact Cars

1998 Toyota TercelRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 11 owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota Tercel. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (4) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 27–30 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27–30mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2008
Owner complaints
11
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 11, 2008NHTSA 08E050000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – May 2003
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  2. Air bags2
  3. Seat belts2
  4. Vehicle speed control1
  5. Equipment1
  6. Power train1
  7. Structure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tercel model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199644
199723
199811
19993
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

4 reports
“NOISEY BRAKES REPLACED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 1999Service brakes, hydraulicODI 607631

Air bags

2 reports2 crashes
“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED, I TRIED TO STOP, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. I HIT A POLE AND TWO OTHER CARS, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE CAR NEXT TO ME. ALSO, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2003Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10018940

Seat belts

2 reports
“SEAT BELT FAILURE. *YC”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 1999Seat beltsODI 608178
All 1998 Tercel problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 3-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tercel
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,100296
Tercel
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,150306
Tercel
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253027$2,300329
  • Tercel
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Tercel
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Tercel
    Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Toyota Tercel as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 3902
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

1998 Tercel questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Tercel have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Toyota Tercel problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (4), air bags (2), seat belts (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Toyota Tercel get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Toyota Tercel at 27–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026