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1988 Toyota Tercel Wagon SR5 4WD Auto

The 1988 Toyota Tercel Wagon SR5 4WD Auto is a 78-hp 1.5-liter inline-4 wagon with a 3-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $12,028 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.

It makes 78 horsepower. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

The Tercel measures 169.0 inches long on a 95.6-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,275 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$12,028 ($33,044 *)
Engine
Engine Type3E I4, transverse-mounted
Displacement1.5 L
Horsepower78 hp
ValvetrainSOHC, 12-valve
Injection TypeVariable-venturi carburetor
Drivetrain
Drive Type4WD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined22 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular
Dimensions & Weight
Length169 in
Width63 in
Height57 in
Wheelbase95.6 in
Curb Weight2,275 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front40 in
Headroom Rear39 in
Legroom Front42 in
Legroom Rear33 in
Shoulder Room Front52 in
Shoulder Room Rear52 in
Hip Room Front48 in
Hip Room Rear48 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Toyota TERCEL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 27, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

NHTSA campaign 07E064000

Jul 13, 1992 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THERE CAN BE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING IF HEADLAMP BULBS ARE REPLACED WITH ANY BRAND OTHER THAN KOITO BRAND BULBS.

Consequence: THE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING CAUSED BYOTHER THAN KOITO BRAND LAMP BULBS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108, "LAMPS,REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Remedy: TOYOTA DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A NEW KOITO BRAND BULB WITH NO CHARGE IF A NON-KOITO BRAND BULB IS NOW INSTALLED, OR SHOULD A HEADLAMP BULB BURN OUT IN THE FUTURE. "CAUTION LABELS" WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON EACH HEADLAMP HOUSING.

NHTSA campaign 92V111000

9 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Toyota TERCEL

Owner Complaints

9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Toyota TERCEL (1 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System3
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Structure2
Fuel System1
Gasoline1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 16, 1998 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“LACK OF POWER, RUN-ON, FLAT SPOTS, WILL NOT GO WHEN ENGINE IS COLD.”
Mar 16, 1998 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“KNOWN CARBURETOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VARIABLE VENTURI CARBURETOR IN THIS MODEL. VEHICLE CUTS OFF AT SPEEDS 58-62 MPH. AUTOMATICALLY RESTARTS WHEN SPEED DROPS TO APPROX. 56 MPH.”
Sep 14, 1997 · Electrical System
“AS A RESULT OF REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL SHORT, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.”
Sep 10, 1997 · Electrical System Fire
“ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE.”
Sep 2, 1997 · Electrical System
“ELECTRICAL FIRE.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 TOYOTA TERCEL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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