1996 Toyota Corolla
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
- 129
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 1996
Opened by NHTSA
25% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 129 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1989 | 23 |
| 1990 | 27 |
| 1991 | 73 |
| 1992 | 65 |
| 1993 | 134 |
| 1994 | 184 |
| 1995 | 176 |
| 1996 | 129 |
| 1997 | 135 |
| 1998 | 225 |
| 1999 | 155 |
| 2000 | 145 |
| 2001 | 133 |
| 2002 | 117 |
| 2003 | 721 |
| 2004 | 477 |
| 2005 | 854 |
| 2006 | 840 |
| 2007 | 836 |
| 2008 | 314 |
| 2009 | 1,459 |
| 2010 | 1,244 |
| 2011 | 584 |
| 2012 | 446 |
| 2013 | 201 |
| 2014 | 270 |
| 2015 | 220 |
| 2016 | 215 |
| 2017 | 178 |
| 2018 | 136 |
| 2019 | 204 |
| 2020 | 310 |
| 2021 | 188 |
| 2022 | 100 |
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2024 | 65 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 18 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
25% · 32 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle was involved in a rearend collision at 35 MPH and both front air bags did not deploy. Driver contacted dealership.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-28
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a minor accident and there was a delay with the air bags deploying, which caused injuries to the driver and passenger.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-03
In a front-end accident at 40MPH air bag did not deploy. Please describe details.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-06-25
Seat belts
14% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing anchorage and retractor.
Service brakes
12% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that the suspension was unstable and there was a rattling noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10E002000 (Suspension).
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-04-16
Also filed under Electrical system and suspension
Exterior lighting
12% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing turn signal and brake lights.
Electrical system
9% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and interior/under dash.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
1996-01-02Vehicle speed control96E001000 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.
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I
1997-07-22Engineering analysisClosed 1998-09-21 Turn signal failures
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R
2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
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.
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R
2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 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…
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.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
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2010-03-15Suspension10E002000 Ride control is recalling certain front strut mounts branded as gabriel ride control or arvinmeritor, p/nos. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, sold as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed…
Remedy: Ride control will notify owners of record and replace the affected parts free of charge. The safety recall began on March 15, 2010. Owners may contact ride control at 1-248-458-1396.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 32 reports on file for this year.
- Seat belts: 18 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 15 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 96E001000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 10E002000 · Suspension
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1996 Toyota Corolla reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Toyota Corolla is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1996 Toyota Corolla?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Corolla have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.