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. 1 on record.

1997 Toyota Celica at a glance

Owner complaints8
Combined22–28 mpg

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

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.

1997 Toyota Celica trims & engines on record

Trims
ST
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl 135 hp

1997 Toyota Celica vehicles on record

1997 Toyota Celica STJT2DB02T1V0069962

Other Toyota Celica model years

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1995 1994 1992 1991

1997 Toyota Celica — frequently asked questions

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.