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1996 Toyota CamryProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 417 owner complaints about the 1996 Toyota Camry, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

48
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Camry median · #18 of 40 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints417111 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 31, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Toyota Camry has problems

417 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling762
Service brakes, hydraulic529
Vehicle speed control5012
Air bags4737
Steering373
Suspension281
Structure264
Electrical system266
Visibility261
16 other systems14813

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Toyota Camry recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: tail lights

Recall 96V-037 · Feb 20, 1996 · 756 vehicles

Risk. AS THE BULB HOLDER DEFORMS, THE BULB CAN LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE LAMP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

76kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 30 engine and engine cooling complaints. 70% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 24% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles21under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Camry year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Camry median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Toyota Camry safety ratings

1996 Toyota Camry 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Toyota Camry, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE SEIZUREDP02004 · closed Jun 20, 2002
    No recall
  2. SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGPE01024 · closed Jan 29, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What Camry owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1996 TOYOTA CAMRY DEVELOPED PROBLEMS STALLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD BUCK LIKE A BRONCO SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING (BEFORE STALLING). DEALERSHIP REPAIRS COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. VERY DANGEROUS TRYING TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE IN THIS VEHICLE. TECHNICIANS KEPT TAKING THE CAR BACK DOWN TO THE…
Complaint 10313607 · Feb 24, 2010 · 18,000 miles
DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1996 CAMRY VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING SHE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. LATER LEARNED FROM TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Complaint 10226996 · May 8, 2008 · 117,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH HER VEHICLE WHEN SHE TOOK IT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC PERFORMING THE OIL CHANGE STATED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS MOTOR FAILURE,…
Complaint 10192366 · Jun 4, 2007 · 14,000 miles

Own a 1996 Camry?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.