1996 Toyota Corolla: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 129 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2019
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2011
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2008
“On oct 1 2006 my toyota corolla 1996 model economy type had its accelerator stuck and I was not able to reduce the speed or brake it. And after traveling at about 70 miles per hour for . 5 minutes it felt like some thing fell from the front and the car lost all power so I was able to coast to a stop in a parking lot. Then saw smoke from the hood and it burst in to flames by the time fire crew were able to stop all of the engine was one black molten mass. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2006
“To turn into our road, down shifted the gear from 3rd to 2nd.clanking noise, fumes and smoke filled the car. Noticed oil leak. Towed the vehicle to dealer. Dealer said 3rd piston rod broke and made a hole in the engine !! Wierd. Anyone faced a similar problem?*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2004
“Vehicle was involved in a rearend collision at 35 mph and both front air bags did not deploy. Driver contacted dealership. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2003
“1996 toyota corolla - when lights are on and you step on the brakes, the right tail light goes out. It is dangerous as when driving at night, it appears to the driver behind you that you are signaling for a right turn. I have replaced the bulbs and it will appear ok, then begin malfunctioning again. There must be an electrical connection problem in the tail light assembly. I have seen other corollas on the road that have the same problem. It is a safety issue that could cause accidents. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2003
“Driver side seat belt for toyota corolla '96 model is defective: this belt cannot be pulled out because of defective releasing mechanism. I could not drive the car because of this defective seat belt near the driver's side set. *nlm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2003
“Consumer's vehicle was involved in a minor accident and there was a delay with the air bags deploying, which caused injuries to the driver and passenger. *ak *cb”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 31 of these complaints and injuries in 32 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
THESE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL TO HOLD THE SPEED SET BY THE DRIVER AND CAN ACCELERATE ABOVE THE INTENDED SET SPEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES.
RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Corolla by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Toyota Corolla reliable?
NHTSA has 129 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Toyota Corolla. The most complained-about area is air bags (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota Corolla problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Toyota Corolla have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.