The 2003 Toyota Celica has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 15,048 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE, LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK INLET PIPE, MAY BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INLET PIPE AND FALL INTO THE FUEL TANK. IF THE CHECK VALVE FALLS INTO THE TANK, FUEL MAY SPILL FROM THE FUEL INLET PIPE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF DURING FUELING.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT A FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Complaints by component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
AIR BAGS
2
ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
1
1injuries
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1
STEERING
1
Total complaints21
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Lf wheel bearing is gone and axle is only thing holding on the wheel. The steering knuckle is damaged, caliper/bracket is damaged, rotors damaged, axle damaged. Extremely unsafe to drive”
“Lf wheel bearing is gone and axle is only thing holding on the wheel. The steering knuckle is damaged, caliper/bracket is damaged, rotors damaged, axle damaged. Extremely unsafe to drive”
“Lf wheel bearing is gone and axle is only thing holding on the wheel. The steering knuckle is damaged, caliper/bracket is damaged, rotors damaged, axle damaged. Extremely unsafe to drive”
“Belt tensioner won't retract when trying to replace serpentina belt. Most likely a defective part , original. Have to creative finding other ways to replace belt without breaking the tensioner.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota celica. While operating the vehicle, the horn was not always audible when pressing the center of the steering wheel and the air bag sensor indicator remained illuminated. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the coil spring inside the steering column was…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota celica. While operating the vehicle, the horn was not always audible when pressing the center of the steering wheel and the air bag sensor indicator remained illuminated. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the coil spring inside the steering column was…”
“Air bag light stays on. Car has never been in a crash. I've had the sensor reset 4 x, it still flashes and stays on.”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota celica. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal and continual squeaking when there was any type of precipitation. The serpentine belt was replaced four times by a local mechanic and the hydraulic tensioner was replaced twice. The repairs…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Toyota Celica as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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