MYRModel Year Report

1996 Toyota Tacoma

● Typical for this model
1996 Toyota Tacoma
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
253
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 177 complaints 1996: 253 complaints 1996 253 1997: 131 complaints 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2011 2012: 295 complaints 2013: 125 complaints 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 7 complaints
1995: 177 complaints 1996: 253 complaints 1996 253 1997: 131 complaints 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2005 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2009 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2011 2012: 295 complaints 2013: 125 complaints 2013 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2017 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2021 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2025 2026: 7 complaints
1995: 177 complaints 1996: 253 complaints 1996 253 1997: 131 complaints 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2005 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2009 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2011 2012: 295 complaints 2013: 125 complaints 2013 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2017 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2021 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2025 2026: 7 complaints

1996: 253 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1995177
1996253
1997131
1998300
1999249
2000210
2001396
2002333
2003360
2004414
2005707
2006782
2007541
2008445
2009519
2010293
2011186
2012295
2013125
201493
2015101
2016323
2017239
2018206
2019216
202088
202179
202259
202353
2024151
2025100
20267

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

37% · 93 reports

Most commonly citing leaf spring assembly and front.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Wheel bearings over torqued in manufacturing, causing right front wheel to snap off at spindle.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-23

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the rear passenger's side of the vehicle started to lower.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-12-30

Structure

26% · 66 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded with holes near the rear passenger side wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-08-19

The frame on the passager side of the truck has rusted out? Will not pass state inspection.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-30

I have a 1996 Toyota Tacoma that was part of a recall for a faulty frame. I received two letters informing me of this program. The first one was in 2009, and the second in 2010. I brought my truck in for its free check for frame corrosion.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-08

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Tires

8% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and valve.

CRASHDEATH

Air bags

7% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 40 MPH consumer applied the brakes and they locked up. This caused consumer's vehicle to collide with the vehicle in front. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver and passenger sustained minor injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-11

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

During a front right impact accident, the driver's side air bag did not deploy. The speed at the time of the accident was 25 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-13

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1996-09-06Suspension96V129000 Under certain driving conditions, the front suspension support can crack leading to failure of the support.

    Remedy: Dealers will repair the suspension support.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1997-07-22Engineering analysisClosed 1998-09-21 Turn signal failures
  4. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 66 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96E001000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 96V129000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Toyota Tacoma is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Toyota Tacoma?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Tacoma have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.