Model year guide

1997 Toyota Celica

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Toyota Celica is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.

1997 Toyota Celica — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Toyota Celica at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints8
Combined22–28 mpg

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

1997 Toyota Celica recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1997 Toyota Celica.

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.

1997 Toyota Celica common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
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.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Air Bags
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.

1997 Toyota Celica MPG & running costs

Combined22–28 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,775
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume78 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$1,875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 1997 Toyota Celica costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,875
Fuel only$13,875
Per mile$0.19

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
174.4 in
Width
68.9 in
Height
51.6 in
Wheelbase
100.0 in
Curb weight
2,579 lb
Front track
59.8 in
Rear track
59.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Toyota Celica. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 36

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 36.

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

Bulletin TTT063620 · Back Over Prevention, Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2022

Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

Bulletin Toyota Safety Re · Air Bags · Mar 2021

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

Bulletin T-TT-0636-20 Rev · Service Brakes, Back Over Prevention · Mar 2021

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

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

Bulletin T-TT-0636-20 · Back Over Prevention, Service Brakes · Dec 2020

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

Bulletin T-TT-0636-20 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2020

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 PG006-01-Obsolet · Equipment · Aug 2018

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

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

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 Toyota Celica. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. In some cases, this could cause an airbag not to fully inflate, while in others it could cause it to deploy with more force than normal. It could also cause the inflator to rupture. If the airbag inflator ruptures, small pieces of metal could be pro…

Transport Canada #2020018 · Jan 2020

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

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.

1997 Toyota Celica trims & engines on record

Trims
ST
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl 135 hp

1997 Toyota Celica vehicles on record

Other Toyota Celica model years

1997 Toyota Celica — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Toyota Celica have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1997 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 1997 Toyota Celica?

Across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are visibility, electrical system, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Celica get?

The 1997 Toyota Celica has U.S. EPA estimates of 22–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

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