Model year guide

1988 Toyota Celica

Q: Does the 1988 Toyota Celica have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1988 Toyota Celica. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1988 Toyota Celica get?

The 1988 Toyota Celica has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Toyota Celica is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 10 on record.

1988 Toyota Celica — representative photo — Representative photo

1988 Toyota Celica at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints9

Combined19–25 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Toyota Celica recalls 1

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #10E002000 · 11/02/2010

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1988 Toyota Celica common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling

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

Seat Belts

Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Visibility

Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

Equipment

Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Service Brakes

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

1988 Toyota Celica MPG & running costs

Combined19–25 mpg

City20 mpg

Highway27 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,170

EPA size classSubcompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

Forced inductionTurbocharged

Passenger volume80 cu ft

Cargo volume14 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,850 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1988 Toyota Celica costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,850

Fuel only$15,850

Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length

172.0–173.6 in

Width

67.3 in

Height

50.0 in

Wheelbase

99.6 in

Curb weight

2,533–2,626 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Toyota Celica — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

THROTTLE STICKING Closed

NHTSA #EA92044 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Dec 1992 · closed Jan 1994

THROTTLE STICKING Closed

NHTSA #PE92065 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jul 1992 · closed Dec 1992

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 19

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 19.

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the crit…

Bulletin TSB003220 · Air Bags, Vehicle Speed Control, Equipment · Aug 2023

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it.…

Bulletin Toyota PRO19-02 · Tires, Wheels, Equipment · Jan 2022

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the crit…

Bulletin T-SB-0032-20 Rev · Equipment · Feb 2021

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17 Obs · Equipment · Apr 2020

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The aforementioned bulleti…

Bulletin T-SB-0032-20 · Equipment · Apr 2020

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin PG004-97-Obsolet · Equipment · Aug 2018

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin PG006-01-Obsolet · Equipment · Aug 2018

TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information cont…

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17_Rev · Equipment · Jul 2018

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and T-SB-0144-08. Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-9…

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17_Rev · Equipment · Jan 2018

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin T-SB-0144-08_Obs · Equipment · Nov 2017

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CELICA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Toyota Celica

The Toyota Celica is an automobile produced by Toyota from 1970 until 2006. The Celica name derives from the Latin word coelica meaning heavenly or celestial. In Japan, the Celica was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store dealer chain. Produced across seven generations, the Celica was powered by various four-cylinder engines, and body styles included convertibles, liftbacks, and notchback coupé.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1988 Toyota Celica vehicles on record

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1LST16207313997

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1LAT16007005577

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1LAT16007019688

1988 Toyota CelicaJT2ST6605J7271691

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1LST16207055048

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1LAT16007020864

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1CBTA6006007548

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1LST16207052509

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1LAT16007009216

1988 Toyota CelicaJT1LST16207251765

Other Toyota Celica model years

1988 Toyota Celica — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Toyota Celica have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1988 Toyota Celica. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Toyota Celica?

Across all 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, seat belts, visibility.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Toyota Celica get?

The 1988 Toyota Celica has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.