At a glance

Reported mileage172,391 mi

LocationMd, USA

ColorGreen

Last listed price$300

Open recallsNone

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make

Toyota

Model

Tercel

Year

1994

Trim

DX

Body style

Sedan/Saloon

Vehicle type

PASSENGER CAR

Engine

1.5L 4-cyl 82 hp

Cylinders

4

Fuel type

Gasoline

Doors

4

Assembly plant

TOYOTA CITY, AICHI, JAPAN

Manufacturer

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION

Full vehicle history report

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What a full report checks for VIN JT2EL43T5R0386608

✓ No open safety recalls — shown above, free 🔒 Title & brand records 🔒 Accident & damage history 🔒 Salvage, total-loss & theft 🔒 Odometer & owner count 🔒 Liens & market valuation

A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.

📜 Title status Clean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon

🏷️ Title brand history Every brand ever applied, by state

🧾 Number of owners How many registrations on record

🛞 Odometer readings Reported mileage over time

🔎 Rollback check Mileage inconsistency / tamper flags

💥 Accident & damage Reported collisions and damage events

🚧 Total-loss records Insurance total-loss declarations

♻️ Salvage & auction Salvage-yard and auction history

🚓 Theft records Reported / recovered theft events

🏦 Liens & impounds Outstanding liens or impound records

🏷️ Sale & listing history Past marketplace and dealer listings

💰 Market valuation Estimated value for this exact spec

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Safety recalls None found

No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 1994 Toyota Tercel.

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Common problems & what to inspect

Based on 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 Toyota Tercel, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.

💥 6 involved a crash 🚑 10 reported injuries

Air Bags 5 reports

🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Engine And Engine Cooling 4 reports

🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Tires 3 reports

🔍 Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

Service Brakes 2 reports

🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Vehicle Speed Control 2 reports

🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

Exterior Lighting 1 report

🔍 Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

Pre-purchase checklist

Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.

Owner complaints 49

Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1994 Toyota Tercel.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES

THE RUBBER PIN/PEG/PIECE (LOOKS LIKE THUMBTACK BUT BIGGER AND MADE OF RUBBER) THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE POINT WERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH/BUTTON IS, FELL APART INTO FIVE INDIVIDUAL PIECES RESULTING IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FULLY ON AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS WAS EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE EN…

NHTSA ODI #10595257

TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA TERCEL. THE VEHICLE HAS AEROLITE WHEEL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RUBBER IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE SHREDDED AND DETACHED. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE TIRES ARE 50,000 MILE TIRES, WHICH SHREDDED AT APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,865 AND F…

NHTSA ODI #10238714

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1994 TOYOTA TERCEL 4-DOOR SEDAN A/T WHITE/EXTERIOR 191400 MILES ON THE ODOMETER VIN#[XXX]. THEY TOLD ME IT HAS A REBUILD ENGINE, IT'S BETTER THAN A NEW ENGINE. I DON'T ANYTHING ABOUT CARS. I'VE NEVER OWN A CAR IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. PURCHASED IT FROM VALENCIA AUTO/ USED CAR DEALER 1535 VALENCIA STREET, S.F CALIF 94110/ TEL.# 415-282-5553. PURCHASED IT ON OCT-12-…

NHTSA ODI #10143276

AIR BAGS

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS BACK , THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS/HER NECK AND BACK. *JB

Crash · 2 injured · NHTSA ODI #10099190

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. AND THE BRAKING POWER WAS VERY LOW. *AK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ONE TIRE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SIDEWALL DAMAGE AND NO TREAD, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR MAIN SEAL, THE CRANK SEAL AND TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022069

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Crash · NHTSA ODI #10024362

TIRES

THE TIRES I HAD REPLACED BECAUSE 3 OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. MR

NHTSA ODI #767906

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAVE HAD A COMPLETE VALVE JOB, NOW THE PISTON RINGS ARE SHOT. I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE 94 TERCEL ALSO HAD A FRIED ENGINE. BOTH CARS ORIGINATED FROM DEALERSHIPS IN MONTANA MIGHT BE WORTH CHECKING OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743488

+ 41 more complaints on record.