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1996 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

About this comparison →
253Owner complaints

Model-year median: 228.5

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
177
1995253
1996131
1997300
1998249
1999
Compare all Tacoma years →

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

What owners reported most

Suspension
87Structure
64Engine And Engine Cooling
20Tires
20Air Bags
16
All reported categories
Power Train
14Vehicle Speed Control
12Seat Belts
11Service Brakes, Hydraulic
11Electrical System
9Steering
9Equipment
6Unknown Or Other
6Wheels
6Visibility
5Fuel System, Gasoline
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Seats
2Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Other
1Parking Brake
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

73 reports with mileage · 180 unknown

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.

  • Suspension. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 29, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE I SMELL GAS ON THE OIL STICK INDICATING THAT FUEL IS IN THE CRANK CASE (CONFIRMED BY DEALER). I WAS ADVISED (BY DEALER)THAT IT IS NOT ABNORMAL FOR VEHICLES MOSTLY DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES, BUT I HAVE DRIVEN LONG DISTANCES HAD OIL CHANGED AND STILL HAVE PROBLEM. ALSO, I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES, INCLUDING…

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SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE I SMELL GAS ON THE OIL STICK INDICATING THAT FUEL IS IN THE CRANK CASE (CONFIRMED BY DEALER). I WAS ADVISED (BY DEALER)THAT IT IS NOT ABNORMAL FOR VEHICLES MOSTLY DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES, BUT I HAVE DRIVEN LONG DISTANCES HAD OIL CHANGED AND STILL HAVE PROBLEM. ALSO, I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES, INCLUDING TOYOTA TRUCKS, AND HAVEN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. OCCASIONALLY I HAVE A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I AM TRYING TO VERIFY IF THIS IS INDEED "NORMAL" OIL LEVEL DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #762394

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM DESIGNED TO INCREASE IDLE WHEN AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR IS USED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY SURGE WHEN THE COMPRESSOR ENGAGES.

NHTSA ODI #509079

Official recalls

1

96V129000 · Suspension:front

Jul 10, 1996

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SUSPENSION SUPPORT.

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