1998 Toyota Celica: common problems and reliability
5 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about structure. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Celica?The 1998 Toyota Celica has 5 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are structure and air bags.
Safety record for the 1998 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Toyota Celica vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1998 a good year for the Celica?
Across the 10 Celica model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2005) to 108 (2000). With 5 complaints, the 1998 Celica sits below the model's median of 11.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1998 Celica
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 20V033000Toyota 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 to underinflate.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, durability, and overall ownership satisfaction across multiple generations.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Celica. See the full Celica owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Celica listings typically run $8,344–$19,995 across 1985 to 2005 model years.
Other Celica model years
Compare every Celica year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.
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