1996 Toyota Tercel: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (18% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owned a 1996 toyota tercel. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the front passenger's side brake rotor fractured. As a result, the front passengers wheel seized and the other wheels lost hydraulic pressure causing the vehicle to spin out of control crashing into a concrete wall. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not. The contact and the passenger sustained unknown minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,550.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2015
“Front passenger side seat belt will no longer grab. Part seems defective, but no appearance of any crack, or damage. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 toyota tercel. While driving 60 mph the vehicle accelerated and would not stop. He had to drive to a service road and force the gear into park to stop the vehicle. Some wd-40 was sprayed on the engine and they have not had the problem since. The vehicle was purchased in 2008 with 128,000 miles. The contact has not called the dealer or taken the vehicle in for inspection. The failure mileage was 145,000. Updated 11/11/10 *bf updated 11/18/10*jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl - while driving 60 mph, the vehicle hit debris in the road causing complete tire tread separation on the passenger rear tire. All four tires were replaced may 2006 due to driver's front tire having had tread separation. The failure mileage on the tire was unknown. The tire has not been replaced. The current mileage on the vehicle is 100,000. There were no injuries. The engine size is unknown. Kb the consumer provided invoices for the repair. Updated 06/14/07 *tr”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2007
“(1) automobile accident while avoiding collision with a deer. Accident caused severe front end damage and bending of the uni-body frame. (2) failure of air-bags to deploy. (3) no corrective actions taken as the vehicle was deemed to be a total loss. Some parts have been disposed of, ie. Assorted trim and the front fenders.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2005
“The seat belt latch in the consumer's 1996 toyota tercel was installed incorrectly. *nm the consumer stated the velt must be worn twisted. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2005
“1996 toyota tercel tire blew out. *ts the vehicle ran off the road to the right and spun to the right striking a guardrail with it's left front. The vehicle again struck the guardrail with it's left rear and spun to the right making a 360 degree turn and came to rest in the right lane. There was severe damage to the left front and left rear of the vehicle. There were no injuries (ohio traffic crash report). *nm”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2004
“While driving 45mpph had a head-on collision and driver's air bag deployed and split down the middle, causing serious injuries.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2002
“Master cylinder failure. Manufacturer has no replacement parts forcing me to drive with defective brakes. The dealership was not helpful in resolving the problem.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 1999
“Oil sludge problem with 1996 toyota tercel. The car was under warranty and toyota would not pay. Car was taken and sold at an auction leaving me to pay the difference. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tercel 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 Tercel reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Toyota Tercel. The most complained-about area is air bags (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota Tercel problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 122,525 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Toyota Tercel have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.