1997 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.
Social links
Common 1997 Toyota Celica problems
The Toyota Celica 1997 is known for several common problems that affect its performance and reliability. One of the most prevalent issues is engine failure, which can be caused by a failed timing chain tensioner. This problem is characterized by a rattling sound coming from the engine, the check engine light flashing on, and the car going into limp-home mode. If left unaddressed, this issue can render the car unsafe to drive, cause it to fail its MOT, and lead to more faults.
Another common problem with the 1997 Toyota Celica is rough idling and misfires, which are often caused by a soft valve seat in the 1.8-liter engines. This issue can result in the car driving roughly, misfiring, backfiring, stalling, and losing power. The only solution to this problem is to remove the cylinder head and rebuild it using valves ordered from BreakerYard.
The ABS warning light is another common problem with the 1997 Toyota Celica, particularly in high-mileage vehicles. This issue is caused by a worn-out wheel speed sensor, which can be resolved by ordering a replacement from BreakerYard and cleaning any rust or debris from the mounting area.
Incorrect gear changes are also a common problem with the automatic transmission of the 1997 Toyota Celica. This issue is usually caused by a throttle position sensor being out of adjustment or a broken shift solenoid. In most cases, this problem can be resolved by moving the throttle position sensor to where it should be or ordering a new shift solenoid from BreakerYard.
A chirping sound at idle is another common problem with the 1997 Toyota Celica, particularly on cold mornings when the car is first started and left idle. This issue is caused by a high-pitched chirping sound coming from the engine and can be resolved by fitting a revised tensioner.
Braking issues are also a common problem with the 1997 Toyota Celica, particularly in vehicles that have long periods of inactivity. This issue is caused by brake discs that can rust very quickly, causing the brake pads to wear out more quickly and leading to metal grinding on the rusted discs. The solution to this problem is to order new brake discs and pads from BreakerYard and install them.
A sluggish engine is another common problem with the 1997 Toyota Celica, which is caused by a dirty fuel filter. This issue can be resolved by removing the fuel filter and cleaning it thoroughly, or by ordering a replacement from BreakerYard.
Tensioner pulleys are also known to cause noise problems in the 1997 Toyota Celica, particularly a loud squealing sound when starting the car. This issue is caused by tensioner pulleys that are close to breaking and can be resolved by finding new tensioner pulleys on BreakerYard's parts pages and replacing any faulty ones.
Finally, a squealing sound when starting the car is another common problem with the 1997 Toyota Celica, which is caused by a faulty cold start injector or valve. This issue can be resolved by finding new cold start injectors or valves on BreakerYard's parts pages and replacing any faulty ones.
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 engine reliable?
In fact, many owners of Toyota Celicas report that with regular maintenance and care, these cars can easily exceed 200,000 miles. As a brand, Toyota has an excellent reputation for reliability and longevity, and the Celica is no exception to this.
Are Toyota Celicas expensive to fix?
The annual maintenance cost of a Toyota Celica is $367.
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 reliable?
Are Toyota Celicas Generally Reliable? Yes, Toyota Celicas are generally reliable cars.
What is the fuel consumption of a 1997 Toyota Celica?
Toyota Celica 1997 Fuel consumption
| Toyota Celica Model | Body Type | Fuel Consumption |
|---|---|---|
| SX | Hatchback | 8.1L/100km |
| SX | Hatchback | 8.3L/100km |
| ZR | Hatchback | 8.1L/100km |
| ZR | Hatchback | 8.3L/100km |
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.
1997 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:
- Visibility problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Toyota Celica vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Toyota Celica complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Toyota Celica.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-01-28
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JT2DB02T6V0
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
- Summary: MY REAR DEFROST HAS NOT WORKED IN YEARS. I LOOK AT THE CONNECTION WHERE THE HATCH MEETS THE CAR AND FIND THAT THE CONNECTOR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THE CONNECTOR AND THE WIRE. I AM HAVING TO RECONNECT THE 2 WIRES TO GET MY REAR DEFROST WORKING AGAIN. *TR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-10-16
- VIN: JT5FG02T6V0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA CELICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 02/13/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND WHEN APPROACHED SOME CURVES IN THE ROAD, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE. HE SOON REALIZED THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE . THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED AND HE SPUN OUT TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR, WHICH LEAKED OUT ONTO THE BRAKE LINES, WHICH HAD ROTTED. UPDATED 02/14/13
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-12-27
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WHILE LOWERING CONVERTIBLE TOP UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND WITH NO OBSTRUCTIONS, BACK GLASS EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.*AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-06-02
- VIN: JT2DB02T6V0
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PAINT SHOP FOR A PAINT JOB. TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE TWO PILLAR ATTACHMENTS FOR THE ROOF WERE BONDED TOGETHER BY GLUE. TECHNICIAN WOULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. *AK
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-19
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JT2DB02TXV0
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A VERY MINOR ACCIDENT, AND THERE WAS AN APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECOND DELAY AFTER THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK WHEN HER AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED, CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO HER, AND MORE DAMAGE THAN THE ACCIDENT ITSELF CAUSED TO HER VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED TO KNOW WHY THEY DEPLOYED AT ALL CONSIDERING HER SPEED OF APX 5 -7 MPH,. AND IF THERE HAD BEEN A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT IF THEY WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN TIME TO PROTECT HER AS THEY ARE DESIGNED. THE PERSON SHE BUMPED INTO AND PASSENGER ARE WITNESSES TO THE DELAYED DEPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS THE OFFICER ON SCENE.*AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-09-21
- VIN: JT5FG02T2V0
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. TIRE WAS A CONTINENTAL GT8000, TOURING, P205/55R15. TIRE WAS A REPLACEMENT TIRE PURCHASED AT A PRIVATE OWNED TIRE DEALERSHIP. TIRE'S MILEAGE WAS 27,000. *AK CONSUMER STATED ANOTHER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND THE OTHER TIRES HAVE CRACKED SIDEWALLS, VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE DUE TO FAULTY TIRE.. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JT2DB02T9V0
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE SAME EVENING THAT I PURCHASED MY CELICA AND EVERY EVENING SINCE THEN I NOTICE THAT MY HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS DIM WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES. ONLY WHEN I RELEASE MY BRAKES DO THEY BRIGHTEN BACK-UP. I'VE TAKEN MY CELICA IN TWICE TO HAVE IT TESTED BUT TOYOTA SAID THAT EVERYTHING TESTED NORMAL BOTH TIMES. IS THIS NORMAL ON THESE CARS.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-12
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: DURING NORMAL CONDITIONS WHILE LOWERING CONVERTABLE TOP OF CAR THE REAR WINDOW GLASS SHATTERED. THERE WAS NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THE LOWERING OF TOP, SO THERE WAS NO REASON FOR IT TO BREAK. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK
Positive 1997 Toyota Celica car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Toyota Celica problems:
1997 Toyota Celica Problems and Complaints - 18 Issues
Problem with your 1997 Toyota Celica? Our list of 18 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1997 Toyota Celica.
97 celica- problems starting | Toyota Nation Forum
Dec 31, 2012 ... I have a 1997 Celica ST 1.8 liter. Over the past month, it has developed an issue with starting up. It takes several attempts to start up- ...
2003 Toyota Celica GT: Common Problems, Engine Issues & Q&A
Jul 1, 2012 ... Please help! My daughters 2003 toyota celica gt has been having a problem for the last year that is getting worse and - Answered by a ...
Toyota Celica: Common Problems and Solutions | BreakerYard.com
Toyota Celica Common Problems and Solutions · Engine Failure · Rough Idling and Misfires (All 1.8-ltr Engines) · ABD Warning Light · Incorrect Gear Changes (All ...
My 97 celica I've had for 3 weeks,I bought this car on the 21st of ...
Dec 14, 2021 ... some small issues but they were very easy to fix.no issues ... problems. It is now December 15 it has 191 ... Toyota Celica. In A.D 2006, war was ...
Other years of Toyota Celica
Are you having problems with your 1997 Toyota Celica?
Humberto Casper 2024-11-02
Your Celica ST sounds like an amazing car! It's great to hear that it has taken you on so many adventures and has been so reliable. The power options, sports package, and BBS alloy rims sound like they make for a really fun ride. It's clear that you take great care of your car and it's no wonder that it runs like a champ. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with us!
Johan Beer 2024-11-02
I bought this car with plans to turn it into a pocket rocket. The only disappointment I have is that Toyota marketed the Celica as an economy car in America. They used heads with smaller valves to give them the awesome gas mileage they get. However, for speed enthusiasts like myself, we have to spend twice as much as Honda and Acura owners to get the HP we desire. Despite this, I love the look and the suspension is great, especially with a set of TRD springs. I have also done a few performance mods that have probably put me up to the GT model's status. But until I change the heads, I'll never have the power I originally intended it to have.
Federico Ferry 2024-10-18
I'm so glad you bought this car for $600! It's amazing that everything still works as good as new even though it's 20 years old. It's also very comfortable to drive and the heater and a/c still work great. You'll be happy to know that it gets 27mpg in the city and 33mpg on the highway. Although parts can be expensive to find when needed, it's great that you've only had to replace one rear strut. It's worth noting that like most older Toyotas, it does seem to eat about a quart of oil between changes, but that's normal. Overall, it sounds like you made a great purchase!
Van Yundt 2024-10-06
This car is my first car, handed down to me from my dad who bought it fresh off the lot way back when. I just hit 250,000 miles and I still drive it every day. While it may not be suitable for the interstate, I absolutely love taking it all around town. I would rate it 100/10!
Thomas Willms 2024-10-02
This car has been well taken care of and always garaged. It was previously owned by my mother who passed it on to me at the age of 90. She bought it brand new and kept up with all the maintenance, keeping all the records. The exterior is a beautiful metallic dark gold with gold front and rear plating on the emblems and antennae tip. There are a couple of minor scratches on the trunk and a small paint scratch on the driver's side door, but no dents. The interior upholstery is in excellent condition with no tears. The tires are new Perelli with black and polished black twisted spokes size 16 radials. The stereo is new with CD and USB capabilities, and four speakers. It also has power adjustable outside mirrors, new top of the line Sears diehard battery, and new wipers. It's hard to find this year and model on the road, making it a unique find. At the time of acquisition, it had 49,300 miles on it.