ToyotaCelica2000Overview/toyota/celica/2000/base/

2000 Toyota Celica

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 Celica.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2000 Toyota Celica, a compact sports coupe available with an automatic 4-speed transmission, achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, while its recommended engine oil capacity is 3.9 quarts of 5W-30 API-grade lubricant. Within the Celica's 1990–2005 model-year complaint history, the 2000 iteration represents the most troubled, recording 108 total owner complaints—the highest of the entire range—with Engine & Engine Cooling emerging as the primary concern area and three recalls issued for the model year. This elevated complaint count positions the 2000 Celica as a notably less reliable example compared to later years such as 2004, which saw only 4 complaints, indicating a significant improvement in build quality and component durability in subsequent generations of the Celica lineup.

Model year200019991998199519941989198819871986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/31/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 310 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZF1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 310 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-60HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZF1
Engine air filter178011602083
Fuel filter2330023040
Spark plug9008091180 alt 9008091184
Front wiper blades8521213031 alt 852220E010
Serpentine belt99366J1940 alt 900809113583
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 9091603125
Cabin air filter871394701083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length170.5 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height51.6 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight2425 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 58.3 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 31 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Celica of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2000 GT-S Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2000GT-S Coupe 1.8L I-46.60 sec15.20 sec180 hpFWD
2002GT-S Coupe 1.8L I-47.30 sec15.60 sec180 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 27.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.9 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts89 ft-lbs
Main Bearings12
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10-18, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.95 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.90 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance310 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression145-215 psi
Engine Oil Pressure43-78 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque to Knuckle34 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.984 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
126 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2000 Celica marks a sharp discontinuity in the model's federal record, with complaints surging to 108 from 11 in 1999 and recalls rising to three from one, while TSBs more than doubled to 96. This spike coincides with the seventh-generation redesign and stands as the generation's peak for both complaints and recalls; by 2001 complaints had fallen to 52 and recalls to one, with complaints declining further to single digits by 2004. The 2000 data shows Engine & Engine Cooling leading with 32 complaints, followed by Power Train at 14, Air Bags at 8, and Vehicle Speed Control at 7, alongside 13 crash-related and two fire-related complaints — though the data does not specify root causes for these categories. TSB volumes remained elevated through 2005 despite the complaint drop, suggesting ongoing service activity for issues identified early in the generation. The 2000 model year carries a distinctly higher federal risk profile than its immediate predecessors or successors. Buyers should treat this as a high-scrutiny purchase year and verify resolution of all three recalls and any engine, powertrain, or air bag campaigns before committing.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
96
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
108
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 108 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling32
Power Train14
Air Bags8
Vehicle Speed Control7
Engine4
Exterior Lighting4
Electrical System4
Structure4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V566000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 29/11/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR, WHICH WILL DECREASE THE LUMINOUS INTENSITY OF THE DRL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 96 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev12024-07-12StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Celica. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2000 Celica take?

3.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2000 Celica have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Celica get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.