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1992 Toyota Tercel Base 2dr

All Toyota Tercel L40 trims (1991–1994) → All Toyota Tercel generations →
1992 Toyota Tercel – front
Photo: 1994 Toyota Tercel hatchback purple front by Throwawayacc222, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the fourth generation (L40, 1991–1994); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 1994 Toyota Tercel hatchback purple front by Throwawayacc222, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: 93-94 Toyota Tercel coupe by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: 1991 Toyota Tercel Sedan by Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: Toyota Tercel VZ hatchback in Purple Mica Metallic, rear left by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1992 Toyota Tercel Base 2dr is an 82-hp 1.5-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $7,293 MSRP and is rated at 30 mpg combined.

It makes 82 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 89 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway (30 mpg combined).

The Tercel measures 161.8 inches long on a 93.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 1,950 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$7,293 ($16,894 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.5L I4 (3E-E)
Displacement1.5 L
Horsepower82 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Torque89 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC 12-valve
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City27 MPG
Highway33 MPG
Combined30 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity11.9 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson strut
Rear SuspensionTrailing torsion beam
Turning Diameter31.5 ft
Brakes
Front Brake DiscDisc
Rear Brake DiscDrum
Dimensions & Weight
Length161.8 in
Width64.8 in
Height53.2 in
Wheelbase93.7 in
Cargo Volume10.7 ft³
Curb Weight1,950 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.7 in
Headroom Rear36.7 in
Legroom Front41.2 in
Legroom Rear31.9 in
Shoulder Room Front53 in
Shoulder Room Rear52.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Similar cars

Rivals to the 1992 Toyota Tercel Base 2dr with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

1992 Hyundai Excel Unverified

1992 Hyundai Excel

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81 hp · $7,220
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1990 Volkswagen Fox Unverified

1990 Volkswagen Fox

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1990 Nissan Sentra Unverified

1990 Nissan Sentra

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90 hp · $7,399
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1991 Suzuki Swift Unverified

1991 Suzuki Swift

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70 hp · $7,769
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1991 Eagle Summit

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81 hp · $8,618
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1990 Mitsubishi Mirage Unverified

1990 Mitsubishi Mirage

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81 hp · $8,559
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Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1992 Toyota Tercel 4-DR.

Recalls

No recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1992 Toyota TERCEL.

27 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1992 Toyota TERCEL

Owner Complaints

27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1992 Toyota TERCEL (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts12
Engine And Engine Cooling4
Tires2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Electrical System1
Engine1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jan 22, 2015 · Vehicle Speed Control, Engine Crash 1 death
“ON 12/29/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 10AM, MY 84 YEAR MOTHER WAS LEAVING A WALGREEN'S PARKING LOT LOCATED IN SUNRISE, FLORIDA. AFTER BACKING UP, SHE PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE WHERE SUDDEN ACCELERATION…”
Feb 23, 2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
“I WAS DRIVING A 92 TOYOTA TERCEL. I WAS GOING UP A STEEP HILL ON I-5 IN OREGON. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL LOST PRESSURE AND FELL TO THE FLOOR WITH THE ENGINE AT FULL ACCELERATION. LUCKILY I WAS…”
Jan 31, 2007 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 TOYOTA TERCEL. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN THE SPRING OF 1992, AND 6 MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A VERY NICE DAY THE ENGINE SEIZED AND ENGINE BLOCK…”
Feb 16, 2005 · Seat Belts
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT STARTED TO ENTANGLE FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM. DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER BY PHONE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK”
Jan 15, 2004 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“ON 3/29/03 I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT WORLDTOYOTA ON PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD. I HAD AN OIL & FILTER CHANGE, 19 PT. INSPECTION, SPRING SERVICE AND BRAKES FOR A WHOPPING $488. I HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSTICS…”

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 1992 TOYOTA TERCEL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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