2001 Toyota Celica 190 from UK and Ireland - Comments

I am the original owner of a 2000 GT (manual transmission). I've had numerous major and minor issues with it. The minor ones include hatchback struts failing and paint as soft as butter that it chips if you sneeze on it. The major ones are described below.

At ~50,000 km, it started burning oil like it was a two-stroke. No blue smoke or anything, but we're talking a couple litres per week, dealer initially blamed engine sludge??, but a look under the hood showed bad rings, repaired for free under warranty.

Around 60,000 km, I noticed a very minor "snick-snick-snick" sound in the transmission when backing up. My wife thought I was crazy, but I mentioned it to the dealer. Sure enough, the box had to be rebuilt, covered by warranty ($3k).

About 2 years later, at 95,000km, the oil burning returned. Dealer again replaced rings, this time he said Toyota recommended a different part #, so maybe it was a widespread problem they knew about. Also under warranty, phew.

Now I'm at 125,000km, and I am getting a very annoying rattling engine sound under light/medium throttle. I like to pretend it is just a loose piece somewhere, but I think it is something more serious... sigh.

All that said, it has been a great little car to drive, and I hope the latest problem is a minor one. If anyone has a suggestion of what it might be, please email me at northport AT Canada DOT com.

Thanks.

Mark

Followup on noise:

Turns out it was a spun bearing on the connector rod, needed new crankshaft among many many other expensive bits... $3800! Last Toyota for me I think!

Well, just exactly how hard have you driven for all 125,000 km's? I'm guessing really hard. I would if I had that car. If you run it like a racecar, you'll pay to fix it like a racecar. Rebuild it and drive it for another 125,000.

Hi just a quick message and a few comments about the celica vvtli 190 gen7 I work as a technician for this cars manufacturer and my own personal car is a 2001 190 I will do my best to help and answer questions with this car, but please don't bombard me with questions just carry on with the site as you are doing I may be a technician and own one my self, but I didn't build the car so I don't no everything I'm just here to put down facts about what I no about it plus I'm interested in the site I'm not taking sides. anyway my 2001 190 has been a good car its just clocked 40,000 miles now only had 2 probs with it. it had a whining noise from the gearbox area sounds just like gearbox bearings, but it wasn"t it was from the clutch assembly you could here it more coming down the box. Toyota did a uprated/modified clutch kit for it that solved the problem I think it had something to do with the springs weakening in the clutch plate it sorted mine anyway and the second problem was the lights dimming and radio going off for about one second when driving. once again Toyota did a uprated/modified engine ecu that sorted mine out as well. my car has a full service history as do many. i have thrashed my car from day one I let it warm up, but its thrashed it has never missed a beat and I have not had anymore problems with it. the only thing I do different with it is its fully serviced every 3000 to 5000 miles I don't no if that helps, but its not done mine any harm. these engines were bench tested at 13,000 to 15,000 rpm at the factory so even though they sound loud at 8,350 rpm they will take a bit more. the only time I see a 190 for an engine job is when its been over reved by someone missing gears it snaps the timing chain anyway that's my little view on it thanks for reading I will keep poping on the site from time to time to see if I can help.

My Celica is a 2001 with 105,000 miles on it. The only major problem I had was one of the oxygen sensors going, and not knowing what it was for a while. FIXED!!

A minor one is the trunk never stays open, somebody else had that problem. Need to get that fixed.

New problem, not really sure, but a noise like someone is peeling out or slamming on their brakes. Don't know where it is coming from or what to do???

Just bought a 2002 t sport celica does it have a cam belt or a chain?

Chain.

I've had my 2000 Celica 190 for only 3 weeks. And in that time I've had to fill coolant up almost each day. Love the car, but refilling the coolant up is starting to give me the pip. Anyone got an idea what could be the problem?

Oil control rings are duff on this model - since updated by Toyota - that leads to the dry sump and engine death. They are not nearly as good as the older, legendary Celicas.

Pretty sure that was only an issue on the 140 Celica's. The owners forums tend to confirm this.