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1996 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Toyota Corolla do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Corolla years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 129 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

31 crash reports13 fire reports21 injury reports

What owners actually said

129 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTRY - VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DRIVER REPORTS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AS HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP HIS VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. INDEPENDENT WITNESS APPEARS TO VERIFY DRIVER'S REPORT. *DT VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON BE…

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LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTRY - VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DRIVER REPORTS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AS HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP HIS VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. INDEPENDENT WITNESS APPEARS TO VERIFY DRIVER'S REPORT. *DT VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON BEFORE CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11265455

46,797 miles · Jun 14, 2017
Air Bags

FEB 14, 2012, WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON PANEL. DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO CAPITOL AUTO SERVICE, 94-422 UKEE STREET, WAIPAHU, HI 96797 AND SPOKE WITH OWNER, MR. FOX TO ASK WHAT PROBLEM WAS.(CONTACT PH-(808) 676-1888. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AIRBAG AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE RESOLVED IN ORDER TO OBTAI…

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FEB 14, 2012, WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON PANEL. DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO CAPITOL AUTO SERVICE, 94-422 UKEE STREET, WAIPAHU, HI 96797 AND SPOKE WITH OWNER, MR. FOX TO ASK WHAT PROBLEM WAS.(CONTACT PH-(808) 676-1888. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AIRBAG AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE RESOLVED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN UPCOMING SAFETY INSPECTION. AFTER MUCH DIFFICULTY, HE WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN AN AIRBAG WHICH WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. INVOICE #2004, DATED FEB. 21, 2012. AMOUNT PAID $948.90. TO DATE, MY VEHICLE IS STILL NOT ON RECALL LIST. I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT TAKATA HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS 10 YEARS AGO AND DID NOT DISCLOSE THIS INFORMATION. MY CLAIM IS BE REIMBURSED FOR THOSE MONIES PAID ($948.90) WHEN VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE RECALL LIST AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A SAFETY CHECK AND BE ABLE TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE ON OUR ROADWAY.. I AM ABLE TO EMAIL YOU A PHOTO COPY OF THE INVOICE USING MY CELL PHONE IF YOU REQUIRE SAME. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10995155

115,000 miles · May 25, 2015
Seat Belts

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FOR TOYOTA COROLLA '96 MODEL IS DEFECTIVE: THIS BELT HAS PULLED OUT AND WILL NOT RETRACT.

NHTSA ODI #10721316

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesSuspension

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). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WHICH THE F…

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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). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WHICH THE FUSES SHORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND REWIRED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUSES. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITH FORCE TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10706145

47,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
SteeringVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ABNORMALLY BEFORE STRAIGHTENING. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP INDEPENDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ABNORMALLY BEFORE STRAIGHTENING. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10393967

110,500 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DURING DAMP, COLD WEATHER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,800. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DURING DAMP, COLD WEATHER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,800. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10393945

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentVehicle Speed Control

I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA, AND I HOPE THE INFORMATION I PROVIDE HERE CAN HELP SOMEHOW WITH ANY CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS. AROUND 100,000 MILES, I TOOK MY CAR TO A NON-DEALER MECHANIC TO REPLACE MY TIMING BELT AS A MATTER OF MAINTENANCE. AFTER THIS REPLACEMENT, MY CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED AG…

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I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA, AND I HOPE THE INFORMATION I PROVIDE HERE CAN HELP SOMEHOW WITH ANY CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS. AROUND 100,000 MILES, I TOOK MY CAR TO A NON-DEALER MECHANIC TO REPLACE MY TIMING BELT AS A MATTER OF MAINTENANCE. AFTER THIS REPLACEMENT, MY CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED AGAIN, AND I NOTICED THAT IN MOMENTS OF DECELERATION (EITHER IN BRAKING OR COASTING) THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY RACE AND I COULD FEEL THE GAS PEDAL PULL FROM ITS RESTING POSITION. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MODEL I'VE INDICATED IS INACCURATE -- I DON'T RECALL WHAT THE MODEL WAS AS I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN AS SPECIFIC AS I CAN BE. I JUST THOUGHT IT MIGHT PROVE USEFUL. THE INCIDENT DATE IS ALSO INACCURATE AS THIS OCCURRED FREQUENTLY ENOUGH TO NOTICE, BUT NOT OFTEN ENOUGH OR SEVERELY ENOUGH TO WARRANT MY TAKING TO A DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314078

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

LTR FROM CONGRESSMAN JO BONNER ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENT, WHO HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL IN HIS 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONSUMER CONTROL DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA DENIED KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10242648

94,000 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTO SHOP FOR REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS CORRODED ON TOP. THERE WERE HOLES ON THE FILLER PIPE AND RUST ON THE GAS TANK. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY THE AUTO SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTO SHOP FOR REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS CORRODED ON TOP. THERE WERE HOLES ON THE FILLER PIPE AND RUST ON THE GAS TANK. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY THE AUTO SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241273

115,000 miles · Feb 4, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING VIOLENT COLLISION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10181551

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA97015 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Jul 22, 1997 · Closed Sep 21, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available

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