1987 Toyota Celica problems
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.
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Common 1987 Toyota Celica problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1987 Toyota Celica, several common problems have been reported:
- Rough Idling and Misfires: Owners have experienced rough idling, occasional misfires, backfires, and the check engine light being illuminated. This issue is particularly prevalent in 1.8-liter engines. The problem is attributed to valve performance, specifically soft valve seats that wear down quickly, leading to corrosion. The solution involves rebuilding the cylinder head using new valves to address this issue effectively.
- ABS Warning Light: Another common problem reported is the ABS light being illuminated without a noticeable loss of brake power. This issue is often caused by a worn-out wheel speed sensor, especially in Celicas with high mileage. Replacing the sensor and cleaning any rust or debris from the mounting area can resolve this problem.
- Incorrect Gear Changes (All automatics): Owners have reported issues with automatic transmissions not changing gears at the correct time. This problem is typically due to a misadjusted throttle position sensor or a broken shift solenoid. Adjusting the throttle position sensor or replacing the shift solenoid can rectify this issue.
- Braking Issues: Some owners have complained about decreased brake effectiveness and a grinding sound when brakes are applied. This problem can arise from rusted brake discs due to long periods of inactivity. Replacing the brake discs and pads can restore brake performance and eliminate the grinding noise.
- Sluggish Engine: Another common problem is a sluggish engine performance while driving. This issue is often caused by a dirty fuel filter, which can be resolved by cleaning the filter thoroughly. In cases where the filter is too blocked, replacing it is necessary to improve engine performance.
- Squealing Sound When Starting: Owners have reported a loud squealing sound during startup, which is attributed to faulty tensioner pulleys. Replacing the tensioner pulleys can eliminate this noise and prevent further issues.
These common problems with the 1987 Toyota Celica highlight various issues that owners have faced, ranging from engine performance issues to braking and transmission concerns. Addressing these problems promptly through proper maintenance and timely repairs can help ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.
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.
Are Toyota Celicas expensive to fix?
The annual maintenance cost of a Toyota Celica is $367.
What engine is in a 1987 Toyota Celica?
Now sporting front-wheel drive and a rounder body, the 1987 Celica was a different animal from the previous generation. The 1987 Celica came with a 2.0-liter, 116-horsepower engine, with the exception of the GT-S, which had 135 horses.
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.
What is the fuel consumption of a Toyota Celica 1987?
Based on data from 7 vehicles, 263 fuel-ups and 79,363 miles of driving, the 1987 Toyota Celica gets a combined Avg MPG of 26.99 with a 0.49 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 6 outliers (2.23%) removed.
What engine is in a 1987 Toyota Celica?
Now sporting front-wheel drive and a rounder body, the 1987 Celica was a different animal from the previous generation. The 1987 Celica came with a 2.0-liter, 116-horsepower engine, with the exception of the GT-S, which had 135 horses.
1987 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:
- Steering problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Visibility problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Toyota Celica vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1987 Toyota Celica complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Toyota Celica.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-02-15
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE BRAKES LOCKED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN A HILL. CONSUMER DOWN SHIFTED, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-08-31
- VIN: JT2ST65CXH7
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WHILE CONTROLLING THE PASSENGER'S WINDOW ELECTRONICALLY THE PASSENGER'S DOOR OPENS WIDE UNEXPECTEDLY. IF THE OCCUPANT WAS NOT SEAT BELTED, THE OCCUPANT MAY FALL OUT. *AK VEHICLE DOOR OPENS WHEN PUTTING THE WINDOW DOWN VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE AT THIS TIME. *YH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-08-26
- VIN: JT5ST62K1H7
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: TRAVELING SOUTH ON THE INTERSTATE, DRIVER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR FULLY DOWN TO PASS ANOTHER CAR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. WHEN STANDING ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER FINALLY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE DRIVER RESTARTED THE CAR AND FINALLY ACCELERATOR BECAME UNSTUCK. *AK
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-22
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND THE DRIVERS SEATBACK COLLAPSED. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-06
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TWO TIMES. TT
1987 Toyota Celica recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1987 Toyota Celica.
- Manufacturer: RIDE CONTROL, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
- Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
Additional sources
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