1996 Toyota Camry
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 32 |
| 1987 | 58 |
| 1988 | 64 |
| 1989 | 113 |
| 1990 | 134 |
| 1991 | 149 |
| 1992 | 565 |
| 1993 | 260 |
| 1994 | 287 |
| 1995 | 303 |
| 1996 | 417 |
| 1997 | 555 |
| 1998 | 600 |
| 1999 | 501 |
| 2000 | 454 |
| 2001 | 272 |
| 2002 | 953 |
| 2003 | 780 |
| 2004 | 638 |
| 2005 | 721 |
| 2006 | 317 |
| 2007 | 2885 |
| 2008 | 931 |
| 2009 | 1289 |
| 2010 | 600 |
| 2011 | 597 |
| 2012 | 587 |
| 2013 | 274 |
| 2014 | 452 |
| 2015 | 268 |
| 2016 | 177 |
| 2017 | 148 |
| 2018 | 726 |
| 2019 | 385 |
| 2020 | 263 |
| 2021 | 153 |
| 2022 | 57 |
| 2023 | 58 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2025 | 133 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH7% of complaints: air bags — 28 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960417
WHILE IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960417
6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 25 distinct reports on file.
FIRE5% of complaints: tires — 22 distinct reports on file.
INJURY5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
THESE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL TO HOLD THE SPEED SET BY THE DRIVER AND CAN ACCELERATE ABOVE THE INTENDED SET SPEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES.
Campaign 96E001000 — check if this car was fixed
THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE BULB HOLDERS OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HEAT RESISTANCE. WHEN THE BULB IS ILLUMINATED, THE RESULTING HIGH TEMPERATURE CAN CAUSE THE BULB HOLDE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR COMBINATION LAMP BULB HOLDER TO SEE IF IT IS THE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE DEFECTIVE BULB HOLDER TOGETHER WITH THE WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH A CORRECT BULB HOLDE
Campaign 96V037000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
Campaign 99V307000 — check if this car was fixed
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING
ENGINE SEIZURE
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 N
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.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (28 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (25 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96E001000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V037000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V307000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Toyota Camry reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Toyota Camry is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Toyota Camry?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Camry have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.