MYRModel Year Report

1996 Toyota Tacoma

● Typical for this model
1996 Toyota Tacoma
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Tacoma Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1995: 177 complaints 1995 1996: 253 complaints 1996 1997: 131 complaints 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 359 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 540 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2010: 292 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2011 2012: 294 complaints 2013: 124 complaints 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 238 complaints 2018: 202 complaints 2019: 214 complaints 2019 2020: 87 complaints 2021: 78 complaints 2022: 57 complaints 2023: 52 complaints 2023 2024: 144 complaints 2025: 85 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1996: 253 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1995177
1996253
1997131
1998300
1999249
2000210
2001396
2002333
2003359
2004414
2005707
2006782
2007540
2008445
2009519
2010292
2011186
2012294
2013124
201493
2015101
2016323
2017238
2018202
2019214
202087
202178
202257
202352
2024144
202585
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SUSPENSION 37%

37% of complaints: suspension — 93 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing leaf spring assembly and front.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHEEL BEARINGS OVER TORQUED IN MANUFACTURING, CAUSING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO SNAP OFF AT SPINDLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19960923

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, 20201230

STRUCTURE 26%

26% of complaints: structure — 66 distinct reports on file, 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, 20190819

THE FRAME ON THE PASSAGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK HAS RUSTED OUT? WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180630

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, 20120508

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

TIRES 8%

8% of complaints: tires — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and valve.

CRASH DEATH
AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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, 20040611

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960913

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960102 — vehicle speed control

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

R 19960906 — suspension

UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT CAN CRACK LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE SUPPORT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SUSPENSION SUPPORT.

Campaign 96V129000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970722 — EA (closed 19980921)

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (93 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (66 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96E001000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V129000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2005 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.