1995 Toyota Tercel

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Airbags & Restraints

Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 27 of 51 complaints (53%) mention it.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category199519961997vs. 1995 Subcompact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,000–2,1501,950–2,1502,000–2,300
Combined MPG29–3129–3227–31
City / Highway MPG26–28 / 32–3526–29 / 32–3625–28 / 31–35
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)287–306278–306287–329
Complaints filed514020Not compared
Recalls issued222Not compared
Crash-involved complaints21115Not compared
Fire-involved complaints140Not compared
Injuries reported15156Not compared
Deaths reported000Not compared
Configurations compared443

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 1995 Toyota Tercel have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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 1995 Toyota Tercel?

Airbags & Restraints: 27 of 51 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1995 Toyota Tercel get?

EPA rates it 29–31 MPG combined across 4 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1995 Toyota Tercel?

EPA estimates $2,000–$2,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 3-spd41.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars27 mpg32 mpg (low)29 mpg (low)$2,150 (high)306 g/mi (high)
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd41.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars26 mpg (low)35 mpg (high)29 mpg (low)$2,150 (high)306 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Manual 4-spd41.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars28 mpg (high)35 mpg (high)31 mpg (high)$2,000 (low)287 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd41.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars27 mpg35 mpg (high)30 mpg$2,100296 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine30000
Transmission & Drivetrain21000
Fuel System10000
Electrical20000
Brakes32010
Steering10000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires42030
Airbags & Restraints27141100
Driver Assistance & Speed Control21000
Body, Seats & Latches11010
Visibility & Lighting60000
Other20000

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 (2)

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 08E050000 · Aug 14, 2008

    Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

    Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

    Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

    Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.