1986 Toyota Tercel problems

General information about Toyota-Tercel
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Toyota Tercel (Japanese: トヨタ・ターセル, Toyota Tāseru) is a subcompact car manufactured by Toyota from 1978 until 1999 across five generations, in five body configurations sized between the Corolla and the Starlet. Manufactured at the Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Japan, and sharing its platform with the Cynos (aka Paseo) and the Starlet, the Tercel was marketed variously as the Toyota Corolla II (Japanese: トヨタ・カローラII, Toyota Karōra II) — sold at Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyota Corolla Stores — and was replaced by the Platz in 1999. It was also known as the Toyota Corsa (Japanese: トヨタ・コルサ, Toyota Korusa) and sold at Toyopet Store locations. Starting with the second generation, the Tercel dealership network was changed to Vista Store, as its badge engineered sibling, the Corolla II, was exclusive to Corolla Store locations.

The Tercel was the first front-wheel drive vehicle produced by Toyota, although it was the only front-wheel drive Toyota to have a longitudinally mounted engine. For example, the E80 series Corolla's frame (except AE85 and AE86) is similar to the L20 series Tercel's frame. Also, Toyota designed the A series engine for the Tercel, attempting simultaneously to achieve good fuel economy and performance and low emissions. Choice of body styles increased as well, with the addition of a four-door sedan.

The name "Tercel" was derived from the Latin word for "one third", with "tiercel" referring to a male falcon which is one-third smaller than its female counterpart. Similarly, the Tercel was slightly smaller than the Corolla. The early Tercels have a logo on the trunk with a stylized falcon as the T in Tercel. All Tercels were assembled at the Takaoka factory in Toyota City, Aichi or by Hino Motors in Hamura, Tokyo. Hino assembled the third generation Tercel from 1986 to 1990 for the two-door and some three-door models. When Japanese production of the Tercel/Corsa/Corolla II (and the related Cynos/Paseo coupés) came to an end in 1999, 4,968,935 examples had been built.

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Common 1986 Toyota Tercel problems

Common issues reported by owners of the 1986 Toyota Tercel include:

Electrical Problems: Owners faced stubborn electrical problems leading to battery drainage, with dashboard lights indicating issues with the alternator not charging the battery sufficiently, potentially due to a defective alternator or ground problems.

Oil Leaks: The first-generation Tercel was prone to oil leaks, often caused by worn-out valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, or rear main seals.

Transmission Issues: Both automatic and manual transmissions were reported to slip or fail to shift properly, with some owners experiencing quick wear of the clutch or stiff shifter operation.

Brake System Failures: Owners encountered problems with brakes failing to engage properly, quick wear of brake pads or shoes, and issues with the brake system overall.

Carburetor Problems: Second-generation Tercel owners reported carburetor issues leading to poor engine performance or stalling, often due to float problems or damage over time.

Timing Belt Failure: Some second-generation Tercel owners faced premature timing belt failure, which could result in severe engine damage if not replaced at regular intervals.

Transmission Problems: Second-generation Tercel owners reported slipping automatic transmissions, improper shifting, and issues with manual transmissions, including quick clutch wear and stiff shifter operation.

Electrical System Issues: Owners experienced failures in the car's electrical system, such as flickering headlights or complete system failures.

These common issues with the 1986 Toyota Tercel highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any signs of trouble to ensure the vehicle's reliability and safety.

Are Toyota Tercels reliable?

This is a good car. It will run forever, won't cost much to insure or operate, and is put together with the precision of a Swiss watch. Unfortunately, fit, finish and reliability don't come for free, and the Tercel is pushing the boundaries of acceptable pricing.

What engine is in a 1986 Toyota Tercel?

In 1986, Toyota also introduced a turbodiesel version with Toyota's 1.5-litre 1N-T engine coupled with a manual five-speed transmission.

Why did Toyota discontinue the Tercel?

Thanks to the front-wheel drive configuration, the Tercel offered so much interior space, despite the compact size. After its two-decade-long run. Toyota axed the Tercel in 1999 in the U.S., in order to make room for the 2000 Echo. Today, there really aren't many Tercels left in the United States.

How much is a 1985 Toyota Tercel worth?

The Toyota Tercel 1985 prices range from $2,640 for the basic trim level Wagon Tercel DLX (4X4) to. The Toyota Tercel 1985 comes in Wagon.

Are Toyota Tercels reliable?

What engine is in a 1986 Toyota Tercel?

In 1986, Toyota also introduced a turbodiesel version with Toyota's 1.5-litre 1N-T engine coupled with a manual five-speed transmission.

Why did Toyota discontinue the Tercel?

How much horsepower does a 1985 Toyota Tercel have?

Offered in front- or four-wheel drive, all North American Tercels were powered by a 1.5-liter inline-four engine. It produced 63 horsepower, shifted through four-, five-, and even six-speed manual transmissions (on 4WD models only), and also offered a sad three-speed automatic.

1986 Toyota Tercel car problems categorized by type of issue

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

Seat belts problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems
Vehicle speed control problems
Fuel system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Toyota Tercel vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1986 Toyota Tercel complaints

The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Toyota Tercel.

2010-02-27

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2006-08-01
VIN: JT2AL32V4G3
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: IN 2006-2007, MY 20 YEAR-OLD 1986 TOYOTA TERCEL STATION WAGON BEGAN EXHIBITING SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND/OR FAILURE TO DECELERATE, CAUSED BY A STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL -- CAUSING NO INJURIES BUT REQUIRING ME TO BRAKE, SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, AND/OR STOMP REPEATEDLY ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO LOOSEN IT AND ALLOW IT TO RISE BACK UP. THERE WERE AT LEAST 4-5 OCCASIONS WHEN THIS OCCURRED OVER 6 MONTHS -- WITH NONE OF THE INCIDENTS INVOLVING A FLOOR MAT. THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED ON A TEST DRIVE BY MY LOCAL (NON-TOYOTA) CAR MECHANIC, WHO COULD FIND NO APPARENT CAUSE (SUCH AS RUST) OR FIX FOR THE STICKING GAS PEDAL. WE CONSEQUENTLY SIMPLY ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO THE "OLD AGE" OF THE AUTO -- WHICH I IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUED DRIVING AND LATER JUNKED BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. IN LIGHT OF THE RECENTLY-REPORTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH LATER TOYOTA MODELS, I'D ADVISE LOOKING INTO WHETHER THE 1980'S TOYOTA TERCEL GAS PEDAL USED THE SAME, OR A SIMILARLY SUSCEPTIBLE, TYPE OF PEDAL ASSEMBLY AS THOSE OF THESE LATER TOYOTA MODELS; IF SO, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT THE PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA'S PEDAL ASSEMBLIES GOES BACK FURTHER THAN CURRENTLY PRESUMED. *TR

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1999-03-01

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1999-01-15
VIN: JT2AL32VOG3
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND CLOSING DOOR HAS CRACKED BUCKLE. THE SAFETY RELATED DEFECT CONSISTS OF THE RETRACTING MECHANISM FAILING TO FULLY RETRACT THE BELT, AND THE PLASTIC BUCKLE CRACKING WHEN THE DOOR CLOSED ON IT. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO WAY TO REMEDIATE THIS OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BELT ASSEMBLY -- BELT, RETRACTOR, BUCKLE -- AT A COST OF $160.

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1999-02-18

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1999-02-02
VIN: JT2AL32VOG3
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER BELT AND TRACK FAILS TO RETRACT PROPERLY. AS A RESULT SEAT BELT BUCKLE GETS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR, AND BUCKLE IS BROKEN, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO MALFUNCTION. DEALER WILL ONLY REPAIR AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

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1997-08-28

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: JT2AL35W7G0
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: VEHICLE LEAKS FUEL , AND IT LEAKS ALL THE TIME. OWNER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT FUEL TANK HAD RUSTED OUT. OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT DEALER NOTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK

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1995-10-03

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-10-02
VIN: JT2AL35W5G0
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: ABS: RIGHT SIDE CALIPER BROKE INTO PIECES, BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING EFFECT; BRAKE PAD WAS LYING ON GROUND;PRIOR, HEARD SQUEAKING NOISE

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1995-10-03

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-10-02
VIN: JT2AL35W5G0
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: ABS: RIGHT SIDE CALIPER BROKE INTO PIECES, BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING EFFECT; BRAKE PAD WAS LYING ON GROUND;PRIOR, HEARD SQUEAKING NOISE

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1995-09-11

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-07-12
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: THE DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL NOT RELEASE. PLEASE DESCRIBBE. TT

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1994-10-17

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1994-10-17
VIN: JT2AL35WXG0
Components: VISIBILITY
Summary: WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, PREVENTING WINDOW FROM BEING OPENED. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479570) *AW

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1986 Toyota Tercel recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1986 Toyota Tercel.

2007-08-27

Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1986 Toyota Tercel problems:

Toyota Tercel Problems and Complaints - 27 Issues

https://repairpal.com/problems/toyota/tercel

Top Toyota Tercel Problems · Automatic Transmission May Not Shift Correctly at High Mileages · Failed Emissions Test Due to Blocked EGR System · Vehicle Won't ...

Q&A: Troubleshooting Toyota Tercel Carburetor Issues | 1986 Tercel ...

https://www.justanswer.com/toyota/6uoo5-toyota-tercel-i-m-having-problems-starting-1986-toyota-tercel.html

Jun 29, 2012 ... Thank you. Ask Your Own Toyota Question.

Ignition problem - Tercel4WD.com

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12757

Jul 14, 2017 ... My tercel:: 1983 2wd tercel hatch back ,1986 SR5 ... I presented the problem of the Tercel not ... ↳ Toyota · ↳ 4A-GE · ↳ Other Gallery ...

Toyota Tercel Questions - reliability - CarGurus

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t18580_ds443801

Sep 19, 2008 ... I have a 1986 Toyota tercel with 250k+ on it. I bought it back in 2002 and it had 89k on it. I abused the hell out of the car, the engine ...