Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1984 Tercel.
The 1984 Toyota Tercel runs a three-speed automatic transmission, carries EPA ratings of 26 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, and calls for 3.2 quarts of 15W-40, 20W-40, or 20W-50 API SL engine oil. Its 1984 reliability record shows 12 owner complaints, one recall, and Engine & Engine Cooling as the most frequently reported problem area. While the 1984 model predates the 1990–2000 complaint-tracking window, its 12 complaints fall below the 1995 high of 59 and above the 2000 low of 1, indicating a moderate standing within the documented Tercel reliability history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd |
| Overall length | 158.7 in |
| Overall width | 63.8 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 95.7 in |
| Curb weight | 1995 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 26 / 30 / 27 mpg |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Tercel of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | LE Sedan 1.5L I-4 | 11.10 sec | 18.20 sec | 82 hp | FWD |
| 1992 | Coupe 1.5L I-4 | 11.10 sec | 18.20 sec | 82 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3.2 qt of 15W-40 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 API SL engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 · 80W-90 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.1 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | ABOVE 10 degrees F |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.2 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Transfer Case Fluid | DEXRON |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal‑record data supplied begins in 1990 and contains no complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB figures for the 1984 model year or any earlier years. Consequently, there is no basis for comparing the 1984 Tercel’s complaint or recall activity to the years before or after it within this dataset. The available trend shows a general decline in complaints from a peak of 59 in 1995 to just 1 by 2000, but this pattern cannot be extrapolated back to 1984. Because the target year falls outside the recorded timeframe, the data does not specify whether 1984 experienced higher or lower issue rates relative to adjacent model years. Therefore, based solely on the provided federal record, there is insufficient information to conclude that the 1984 Toyota Tercel is a particularly good or bad year to buy.
All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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.
Showing 5 of 17 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB003220 | 2023-08-17 | Air Bags | TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or… |
| Toyota PRO19-02 | 2022-01-12 | Tires | POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all… |
| T-SB-0032-20 Rev | 2021-02-03 | Equipment | TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or… |
| T-SB-0304-17 Obs | 2020-04-07 | Equipment | TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see… |
| T-SB-0032-20 | 2020-04-06 | Equipment | TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3.2 qt of ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40, 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SL, ABOVE -10 degrees F 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SL, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 26 city / 30 highway / 27 combined mpg.