NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints for the 1999 Toyota Tercel. Most complaints involve air bags (1) and child seat (1). The EPA rates it 27–31 mpg combined.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TERCEL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY PRIOR FAILURES WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.”
“DT: EDDIE BAUER SEAT MODEL # 22755 BGL MANUFACTURER'S # AE1B103309. THE FABRIC ON THE CAR SEAT MELTED DUE TO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. OVER THE LAST TWO TO THREE WEEKS THE CONSUMER EXAMINED THE CAR SEAT EACH DAY, AND YESTERDAY NOTICED THERE WAS A NEW MELTING SPOT IN THE FABRIC, AND THE FOAM UNDERNEATH THE FABRIC WAS BROWN COLORED AND SCORCHED. THE HARNESS STRAPS HAD FABRIC ON THEM AND THEY MELTED AS WELL, JUST NOT AS BAD. SOME OF THE PLACES ON THE HARNESS COVERS THE MATERIAL WAS NOT BURNED, BUT WAS A BROWN COLOR. SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND TOLD THEM THAT ALL THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAT IN THE CAR, AND THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED, AND THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE ALL THE MATERIAL ON THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CONSUMER OFFERED TO SEND THE OLD MATERIAL TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY.*AK”
“MY LATE 1999 TOYOTA ECHO WAS PARKED AFTER A SHORT DRIVE. TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND A LARGE AREA OF MY HOME WAS BURNED. I AND MY NIECE WERE ASLEEP UPSTAIRS. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE SMELL OF SMOKE WOKE US. WHEN WE FIRST SAW THE CAR, A COLUMN OF WHITE FIRE WAS SHOOTING UP THROUGH THE WINDSCREEN TO THE CEILING 11 FEET ABOVE. THE FIRE CAME FROM THE CENTER OF THE CONSOLE/DASH AREA. AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NO FLAMES AROUND OR UNDER THE CAR. JUST THE COLUMN OF FLAME FROM THE CENTER. THE HORN WAS SOUNDING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE ARRIVED WITHIN 10 MINUTES AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FIRE WAS SEATED IN THE CENTRAL DASH AREA. THE KEYS WERE BESIDE BY BED. THE CAR HAD ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY TOYOTA SERVICE CENTERS AND THERE WERE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR. WHEN TOYOTA WERE NOTIFIED, THEY SENT INVESTIGATORS TO LOOK FOR A RELAY NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE RESULTS OF MY INSURANCE', TOYOTA'S AND AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR'S INVESTIGATIONS WERE (AS RELAYED TO ME BY PHONE) UNSPECIFIED FIRE STARTING IN THE DASH. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tercel Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 31 | $2,000 | 287 |
| Tercel Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,150 | 306 |
| Tercel Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,300 | 329 |
| 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 |
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.
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1), child seat (1), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Toyota Tercel at 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).