1996 Toyota Tacoma: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 253 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (30% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 253 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 dangerous to drive!”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 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 to leak from the vehicle. The contact indicated that the fractured leaf spring was severe rusted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded with holes near the rear passenger side wheel. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer for the manufacturer warranted frame repair. When the contact arrived at the dealer, the contact was informed that the frame was not corroded and the vehicle did not qualify for the buy back program. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 115,310. *tt*jb”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Recall info, can't sell without paperwork on frame and new company in our city won't or can't give me proof that frame is ok”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the passenger side suspension support was damaged. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 96v129000 (suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The folsom lake toyota dealer was contacted and refused to do the repair because the failure already occurred on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 278,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2017
“The frame is rusted, in some areas, clear through. The brackets that hold suspension have rusted through. Everything that touches the frame has an excess amount of rust. The truck is parked because I'm afraid it will cause great bodily harm if the truck falls apart while driving. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota tacoma. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change by the dealer, the technician stated that the frame failed due to corrosion. It was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received an extended warranty in 2011. At that time the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the frame was fine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota tacoma. While the vehicle was being repaired, the mechanic was able to push his finger through the vehicle's frame. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced manufacturer communication number: lsc-90-d. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while at an independent mechanic for routine repairs, the technician informed that the sub frame was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that there was a voluntary campaign related to the failure but had expired. The failure mileage was 73,000. Updated 01/27/17*lj”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2016
“1996 toyota tacoma frame rust issues. Was never notified by toyota of the "program" offers to fix. Toyota case #1607184527 created 6/2016. Took vehicle to welder to fix frame to make road worthy.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - 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 CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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.
UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT CAN CRACK LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE SUPPORT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SUSPENSION SUPPORT.
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.
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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma reliable?
NHTSA has 253 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The most complained-about area is suspension (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota Tacoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 139,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Toyota Tacoma 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.