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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2001 Toyota Celica Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
11%of 47 total for the year
Median mileage
96,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Toyota Celica, 11% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I purchased my Celica new in 2001. This year I had a new clutch and transmission put in. In the past 6 months I noticed that I was putting oil in on a regular basis, no leaks and no smoke form the exhaust. I have 128 thousand miles on the car. I have changed the oil on schedule. I contacted Toyota in jacksonville and was told I somehow must have abused the motor or not changed the oil regularly. Long story short, now I am looking for a replacement motor and Toyota wants almost $6000.00. I have shopped around and the cheapest way to go would be a used motor. …”

NHTSA complaint #10347278, filed 2010-08, 128,614 miles

“Driving home at approx. 70 MPH the engine began to miss...causing a loss in rpms and a loud knocking coming from the engine followed by a high pitch squealling (almost like the fan belt was going out)...after pulling off the road and turning the car off to inspect the noises...no signs where showing that there was a problem...check engine light did not come on...assuming the problem had worked itself out...we continued to get back on the highway...it started again...the rpms dropped throwing the car out of gear several times until we could get off the road again...the car was taken to the…”

NHTSA complaint #10129423, filed 2005-07, 74,837 miles

“The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Celica. While driving at any speed, the gear shiftier did not work and made a grinding noise. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the transmission; however, the failure recurred after approximately seven years. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11240634, filed 2019-07, 72,000 miles

“The contact stated while driving various speeds, a loud noise was heard. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the transmission needed to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10169524, filed 2006-09, 96,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200316%
2002310%
2001511%
20002019%
1999110%
199529%
1994214%
199318%
199013%
1987120%

Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Celica

Engine cooling
14 complaints
Engine
8 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Toyota Celica

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology