2003 Toyota Celica
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 5 of 17 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 29 in 2002 to 17 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–3,350 | 2,250–3,350 | 2,250–3,350 | 2,250–3,250 | 2,250–3,250 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–28 | 23–28 | 23–28 | 24–28 | 24–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–25 / 27–32 | 20–25 / 27–32 | 20–25 / 27–33 | 21–25 / 28–33 | 21–25 / 28–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–386 | 317–386 | 317–386 | 317–370 | 317–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 47 | 29 | 17 | 4 | 4 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Celica have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Toyota Celica?
Fuel System: 5 of 17 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Celica get?
EPA rates it 23–28 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Toyota Celica?
EPA estimates $2,250–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S4) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 03V074000 · Mar 17, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT A FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.