Toyota Celica: common faults & what to check

Which Toyota Celica are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

1 variant documented

1999–2006ZZT2311999–2006ZZT2311.8 petrolPetrolDocumented issues13 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: IFCAR via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

Engine not documented

1 variant documented

1993–2000ST2051993–2000ST205Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues2 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: James Benjamin Bleeker via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Toyota Celica

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Toyota Celica before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Check oil level and ask how frequently it needs topping up.

  See why

  2ZZ-GE excessive oil consumption from piston ring design

  The 2ZZ-GE engine fitted to ZZT231 Celica GT-S suffers from documented piston oil control ring failure resulting in excessive oil consumption. Toyota acknowledged this through a class action settlement (US) and issued revised piston rings (part number updates in 2003 TSB). The original rings lose tension within 60,000–120,000 km, causing oil to pass into the combustion chamber. Consumption of 1 litre per 800–1,500 km is commonly reported. Running low on oil — which is easy given the high consumption rate and high-revving nature of the engine — causes VVTL-i camshaft lobe and follower wear as a secondary failure.

  What you would notice

  • Blue-grey smoke on startup and at high rpm
  • Oil level dropping 1L or more per 1,000 km
  • Oily or fouled spark plugs
  • Catalytic converter damage from excess oil burning

  Typically $3,000–$7,500 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Check oil filler cap for mayonnaise-like emulsion.

  See why

  Head gasket failure — ST205 GT-Four (3S-GTE turbo)

  The ST205 Celica GT-Four uses the 3S-GTE turbocharged engine in a higher state of tune than the MR2. Head gasket failures are well-documented on this generation, particularly on cars that have been remapped or run on incorrect fuel grades. The multi-layer steel (MLS) gasket Toyota fitted from the factory is susceptible to failure between cylinder 2 and 3 or at coolant passages if cylinder head surface finish is imperfect at reassembly. A failed gasket allows combustion gases into the coolant circuit, causing coolant loss, white exhaust smoke, and rapid overheating. Many ST205s have been remapped by previous owners, increasing thermal and pressure loads.

  What you would notice

  • White smoke from exhaust particularly when warm
  • Sweet coolant smell from exhaust
  • Coolant level dropping with no external leak
  • Bubbles in coolant reservoir
  • Milky or frothy oil on dipstick or filler cap

  Typically $2,000–$5,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Ask about any history of high-rpm use, track days, or loss of the VVTL-i engagement.

  See why

  2ZZ-GE VVTL-i Lifter Snap at High RPM

  The ZZT231 Celica 2ZZ-GE 1.8 VVTL-i engine uses a secondary lobe lifter that physically snaps under the high-lift cam at 6200rpm. These lifters can fracture when operating under sustained high rpm, allowing a broken fragment to circulate through the engine and cause catastrophic damage to the cam, head, and piston crowns. This is a known documented failure on the 2ZZ-GE and must be checked on any high-mileage example.

  What you would notice

  • Sudden loss of high-rpm VVTL-i engagement click at 6200rpm with significant power loss above 6000rpm
  • Metal contamination visible in engine oil on the dipstick or in a fresh oil drain

  Typically $1,500–$6,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Arrange to start the engine completely cold — if the vendor has warmed it up before your inspection, request to return when cold.

  See why

  1ZZ-FE timing chain tensioner cold-start rattle

  The 1ZZ-FE hydraulic timing chain tensioner loses oil pressure after extended rest periods due to a weak check valve and internal bleed-down. On cold start, a pronounced metallic rattling noise persists for two to five seconds from the front of the engine until oil pressure builds and the tensioner re-extends. Toyota issued revised tensioner components to address this fault. Repeated cycling fatigues the tensioner ratchet mechanism over time, and a failed tensioner risks chain jump leading to valve-to-piston contact and catastrophic internal damage. This is the single most common mechanical fault reported on ZZT230 models in NZ.

  What you would notice

  • Loud metallic chain rattle from front of engine for 2-5 seconds on cold start, disappearing once warm
  • Chattering or rattling noise from timing chain cover area on initial start-up
  • Possible check engine light if chain has skipped a tooth on a severely worn tensioner
  • Noise worsens in cold NZ winter temperatures

  Typically $650–$1,900 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check oil level frequently.

  See why

  1ZZ-FE Oil Consumption from Piston Ring Wear

  The 1ZZ-FE 1.8 in the ZZT230 Celica consumes oil at elevated rates from piston ring wear and valve stem seal degradation on high-mileage examples. Oil consumption above 1 litre per 5000km is abnormal.

  What you would notice

  • Blue smoke from exhaust on startup and deceleration
  • Frequent oil level top-ups needed between regular service intervals

  Typically $500–$3,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Scan ECU for P1349 and any VVTL-i related codes before purchase.

  See why

  2ZZ-GE VVTL-i cam actuator oil screen blockage

  The VVTL-i hydraulic cam actuator contains a small internal oil screen that accumulates sludge from infrequent or incorrect oil changes. When blocked, oil pressure cannot actuate the high-lift cam follower above 6200 rpm, storing DTC P1349 (VVL System Malfunction) and preventing the engine from delivering its secondary power surge. The screen itself is not serviceable as a standalone part on early units; the full actuator assembly often requires replacement. Engines run on extended drain intervals or low-quality oil are most susceptible.

  What you would notice

  • Check engine light illuminated with DTC P1349 stored
  • Engine feels flat above 6000 rpm with no secondary power lift
  • Hesitation or stumble at the expected cam-lift transition point
  • Possible rough idle if actuator is fully seized

  Typically $450–$1,400 to put right.

Toyota Celica service schedule

What falls due, and at what distance, for each generation of the Toyota Celica. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Toyota Celica’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• Head Gasket Repair Cost

Other Toyota models