Menu

1996 Toyota TacomaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 253 owner complaints about the 1996 Toyota Tacoma, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year3% below the Tacoma median · #16 of 30 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints25333 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage134kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 20, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Toyota Tacoma has problems

253 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
Suspension872
Structure640
Tires201
Engine and engine cooling200
Air bags1613
Power train140
Vehicle speed control122
Seat belts110
Service brakes, hydraulic112
11 other systems442

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

1 recall

1996 Toyota Tacoma 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.

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 suspension problems start?

134kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 21 suspension complaints. 38% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 28% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles8under 100k miles13100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Tacoma 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 Tacoma median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Toyota Tacoma safety ratings

1996 Toyota Tacoma 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. TURN SIGNAL FAILURESEA97015 · closed Sep 21, 1998
    No recall
In owners' words

What Tacoma owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Rear passenger frame rusted/rotted, rear passenger shock mount completely torn off frame at rust area and rear passenger leaf spring assembly cracked. Vehicle is not drivable and completely unsafe. This vehicle was recalled in May 2008 for inspection of frame rust and passed the inspection with…
Complaint 11512855 · Mar 20, 2023
I PURCHASED TRUCK IN 2005 FROM TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE KY I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE TOOK TRUCK TO HAVE BRAKES DONE MECHANIC REFUSED TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE OF DANGEROUS FRAME HOLES RUST CAN PUSH IN SIDES OF FRAME WITH FINGERS AND MAKE A HOLE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS VERY…
Complaint 11403041 · Mar 15, 2021
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. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE REAR CENTER LEAF SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND HAD ALSO PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK CAUSING THE FUEL…
Complaint 11385620 · Dec 30, 2020 · 130,000 miles

Own a 1996 Tacoma?

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