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Toyota CelicaModel year report

1998 Toyota Celica Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
106,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Toyota Celica (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1998 Toyota Celica. The part named most often is body and structure, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and engine cooling (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 106,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 41 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Body and structure: “The rear window of the convertible was designed such that raising and lowering the automatic top was not given enough clearance. As a result the back window of the vehicle repeatedly rubs against the sharp top of the rear seat upon opening and closing. This causes the rear window to disengage from the glue that adheres it in place and consequently fall out. Many reports have been filed to Toyota dealers and they refuse to cover any such defects. …”

NHTSA complaint #10041724, filed 2003-10

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 24,000 and 188,000 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–15050%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 106,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2000120021200312010120201
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 Toyota Celica version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Celica FWD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192622$3,050
Celica FWD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual192622$3,050
Celica Convertible FWD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202723$2,900
Celica Convertible FWD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual192622$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1998 Toyota Celica → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 41 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 41 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Celica

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20031747,8001—26—Falling
20022935,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20014785,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200010668,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199910100,0001—22—Not enough data
19985106,0001—22—Not enough data
19978108,0000—22—Not enough data
19969—0—22—Not enough data
19952292,0000—23—Stable
199414108,0000—25—Not enough data
199313161,3960—22—Not enough data
19922169,2560—22—Stable
199127159,5000—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199029109,0001—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198911—0—25—Not enough data
19886—0—25—Not enough data
19875—0—26—Not enough data
19869—0—22—Not enough data
19857—0—22—Not enough data

All Toyota Celica model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Toyota Celica have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1998 Toyota Celica as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Toyota Celica is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 1998 Toyota Celica been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Toyota Celica get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Toyota Celica (Celica, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Toyota Celica reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 106,000 miles and the middle half falls between 24,000 and 188,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.