Model year guide

1999 Toyota Celica

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 Toyota Celica is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 24 on record.

1999 Toyota Celica — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1999 Toyota Celica at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints11
Combined22 mpg

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

1999 Toyota Celica recalls 1

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V033000 · manufacturer #20TB01/20TA01 · 22/01/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion…

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based o…

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.

1999 Toyota Celica common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
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.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1999 Toyota Celica MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,050
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$3,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 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 1999 Toyota Celica costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,250
Fuel only$15,250
Per mile$0.20

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 1999 Toyota Celica. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 41

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 41.

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 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

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 1999 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.

1999 Toyota Celica trims & engines on record

Trims
GT
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl 130 hp

1999 Toyota Celica vehicles on record

1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota Celica GTJT5FG02T6X0052994 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T300010271 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T700011343 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR32T0Y0019756 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T800010055 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T400009386 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T600012726 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR32T0Y0063983 1999 Toyota CelicaJT164ATL000085118 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T800018754 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T600009292 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR32T8Y0019892 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJT164ATL000084227 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T700022892 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T700003873 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T800015403 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T7X0019894 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T500026312 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDY32T0Y0004452 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T200009998 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T300014353 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T500018954 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDR38T000012950 1999 Toyota Celica 1999 Toyota CelicaJTDDY38T9Y0002500

Other Toyota Celica model years

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1983 1982 1981

1999 Toyota Celica — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Toyota Celica have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 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 1999 Toyota Celica?

Across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are tires, seat belts, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Toyota Celica get?

The 1999 Toyota Celica has a U.S. EPA estimate of 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway).

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