1983 Toyota Celica problems

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The Toyota Celica (/ˈsɛlɪkə/ or /sɛˈliːkə/) (Japanese: トヨタ・セリカ, Hepburn: Toyota Serika) is an automobile produced by Toyota from 1970 until 2006. The Celica name derives from the Latin word coelica meaning heavenly or celestial. In Japan, the Celica was exclusive to the Toyota Corolla Store dealer chain. Produced across seven generations, the Celica was powered by various four-cylinder engines, and bodystyles included convertibles, liftbacks, coupés and notchback coupés.

In 1973, Toyota coined the term liftback to describe the Celica fastback hatchback, and used the name Liftback GT for the North American market. Like the Ford Mustang, the Celica concept was to attach a coupe body to the chassis and mechanicals from a high volume sedan, in this case the Toyota Carina. Some journalists thought it was based on the Corona due to some shared mechanical parts.

The first three generations of North American market Celicas were powered by variants of Toyota's R series engine. In August 1985, the car's drive layout was changed from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive turbocharged models were offered from 1986 to 1999. Variable valve timing came in certain Japanese models starting from December 1997 and became standard in all models from the 2000 model year. In 1986, the six-cylinder Celica Supra variant was spun off as a separate model, becoming simply the Supra. Lightly altered versions of the Celica were also sold through as the Corona Coupé through the Toyopet dealer network in the 1980s and as the Toyota Curren through the Vista network in the 1990s.

The Toyota Celica Liftback GT won Motor Trend Car of the Year (Imported Vehicle) in 1976.

1983 Toyota Celica

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Common 1983 Toyota Celica problems

The Toyota Celica 1983 is a popular car model known for its sleek design and performance. However, like any other vehicle, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported over the years.

One of the most common issues with the 1983 Toyota Celica is rust, particularly around the rear wheel arches and the hatchback. This was a common problem for many cars of this era, but it was particularly frustrating for Celica owners, as the car was known for its sleek and sporty appearance.

Another issue that some owners of the 1983 Celica have reported is with the suspension, particularly on the earlier models. The MacPherson strut front suspension and the independent rear suspension provided a comfortable ride, but worn-out suspension components could lead to handling and ride quality issues.

The engine performance was also a concern for some Celica owners. The 22R and 22RE engines were reliable and efficient, but they lacked the power and performance of other sports cars of the era. Some owners also reported issues with the carburetor and fuel system, which could lead to poor fuel economy and stalling issues.

The electrical system was also a potential problem area for some 1983 Celicas. Some models experienced issues with the alternator and battery, which could lead to starting problems and other electrical issues.

In addition to these issues, some owners of the 1983 Celica have reported problems with the head gasket, which could fail and cause coolant leaks and overheating.

While these issues may be cause for concern, it's important to note that many 1983 Celicas have proven to be reliable and long-lasting with proper maintenance and care. Regular oil changes, tune-ups, and inspections can help identify and address issues before they become major problems.

In summary, the 1983 Toyota Celica is a popular car model known for its sleek design and performance, but like any other vehicle, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported over the years. These issues include rust, suspension problems, engine performance issues, and electrical system problems. However, with proper maintenance and care, many 1983 Celicas have proven to be reliable and long-lasting.

1983 Toyota Celica engine

What is the most common problem with the Toyota Celica?

The belt problem is common, especially when it rains, for Celica. If you still under the warranty, just go change a new one for free from your dealer.

Is the Toyota Celica a reliable car?

Yes, Toyota Celicas are generally reliable cars. They are well-regarded for their durability, sporty performance, and long lifespan. In fact, many owners of Toyota Celicas report that with regular maintenance and care, these cars can easily exceed 200,000 miles.

How much is a 1983 Toyota Celica worth?

Popular Trims For 1983 Toyota Celica

Average PriceListings
1983 Toyota Celica GT$10,9742 listings

How long do Toyota Celica engines last?

Hilux's are known to run well past 300,000 miles, and the AE86's are known to run perfectly beyond 250,000 as well. Well maintained, a Celica or other Toyota could probably do about 250,000 miles.

What is the most common problem with the Toyota Celica?

The belt problem is common, especially when it rains, for Celica. If you still under the warranty, just go change a new one for free from your dealer.

Is the Toyota Celica a reliable car?

Yes, Toyota Celicas are generally reliable cars. They are well-regarded for their durability, sporty performance, and long lifespan. In fact, many owners of Toyota Celicas report that with regular maintenance and care, these cars can easily exceed 200,000 miles.

Why did they stop Toyota Celica?

The Celica started as a cheap, fun sports coupe but its success in rally racing is what made the Celica into a true icon. Unfortunately, as the economy changed and consumer's tastes shifted, Toyota killed off the Celica in 2005.

Is a Celica a good project car?

Toyota Celica

This solid foundation allowed it to become popular on the project car scene too, and even today there are still a wide range of upgrade parts readily available to help turn this car into a fun track-day weapon.

1983 Toyota Celica car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Celica problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Seat belts problems
  • Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1983 Toyota Celica vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1983 Toyota Celica complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1983 Toyota Celica.

2017-08-25

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2017-08-22
  • VIN: JT2RA63C2D6
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: REAR TIRE BLOW-OUT ON I-110 PENSACOLA, FL WHILE GOING TO WORK 08/22/2017 AROUND 5:45AM CDT. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS MODERATE, AND I MANAGED TO GET TO AN EMERGENCY LANE. I CHANGE THE WHEEL WITH MY SPARE AND PROCEEDED TO WORK. I SUSPECT THE BLOW-OUT IS DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE TIRE WAS NEW, WITH LESS THAN 400 MILES USE. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD TO CAUSE THE BLOW-OUT. POLICE OFFICER STOPPED BY AS I FINISHED CHANGING THE WHEEL. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FOLLOWING TIRE INFO IS NOT IN THE DROP DOWN LIST PROVIDED, SO I HAVE CLARIFIED IT HERE. TIRE COMPANY IS "CONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC", PART OF "BARUM GLOBAL"; TIRE LINE IS "BRILLANTIS 2" I PURCHASED THE TIRES FROM "DISCOUNT TIRE" IN MACON, GA. I ONLY PURCHASED 2 TIRES; BOTH FOR THE REAR. I AM GLAD I DID NOT HAVE ONE OF THESE ON THE FRONT. I HAD SWAPPED FRONT AND BACK TIRES 3 DAYS PRIOR TO PURCHASE.
1996-08-15

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JT2RA64L6D0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK
1995-06-20

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-06-20
  • VIN: JT2RA63C2D6
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED TWICE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. *SKD
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1983 Toyota Celica problems:

Common Problems...MKII | Toyota Celica Supra Forum
Common Problems...MKII | Toyota Celica Supra Forum
https://www.celicasupra.com/threads/common-problems-mkii.15542/

Aug 6, 2005 ... The car also needs a head gasket and a clutch master cylinder. The engine bay is clean. Also, are parts expensive and hard to find for these ...

Common Problems with 5th gen Celica | Toyota Celica Forum
Common Problems with 5th gen Celica | Toyota Celica Forum
https://www.toyotacelicas.com/threads/common-problems-with-5th-gen-celica.50498/

Jan 8, 2013 ... Common Problems with 5th gen Celica. Jump to ... Red 1991 Toyota Celica GT convertible - project/winter - RIP ... robertcharlesfisher1983. 6 posts · ...

What Problems Should I look for before buying MKII | Toyota Celica ...
What Problems Should I look for before buying MKII | Toyota Celica ...
https://www.celicasupra.com/threads/what-problems-should-i-look-for-before-buying-mkii.121876/

Apr 29, 2020 ... I'm about to pay 10k for a 1984 Supra mkii that seems pretty clean with most original parts. I have already checked the the obvious spots for ...

How reliable are the 80s Celica engines? : r/Celica
How reliable are the 80s Celica engines? : r/Celica
https://www.reddit.com/r/Celica/comments/vpx4gi/how_reliable_are_the_80s_celica_engines/

Jul 3, 2022 ... So recently i've been looking at buying a 1983 Celica GT with a 22r-e 4 cylinder. its got 81k miles on both body and engine and i'm curious ...

22RE common issues | Toyota Nation Forum
22RE common issues | Toyota Nation Forum
https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/22re-common-issues.331974/

Feb 17, 2010 ... 1984-87 Toyota 4-Runner 22R-E (22REC=California emissions=extra charcoal canister) 1983-85 Celica 1985-95 Toyota pickup 1985-95 Toyota 4-Runner

Other years of Toyota Celica

toyota celica 1984 photo
Celica 1984
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toyota celica 1985 photo
Celica 1985
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toyota celica 1986 photo
Celica 1986
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toyota celica 1987 photo
Celica 1987
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toyota celica 1988 photo
Celica 1988
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toyota celica 1989 photo
Celica 1989
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1983 Toyota Celica photo