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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

Power Train complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 1997
Power TrainSeat Belts

AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, HEARD A THUD SOUND AND LOST ALL GEARS EXCEPT FOR 4TH GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #513723

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1997
Power Train

OWNER STATES THAT HIS POWERTRAIN COMES OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHILE DRIVING, IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #807651

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1996
Power TrainSuspension

SUSPENSION FAILURE, CAUSING POOR STABILITY.

NHTSA ODI #512570

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1996
Power Train

WHEN GOING INTO FIFTH GEAR STICK SHIFT BECOMES SHAKY AND IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #985155

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