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1996 Toyota Camry

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Toyota Camry do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 295.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 98 of 417 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

55 crash reports8 fire reports44 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

50 reports
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222,198 miles · Jan 15, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

I AM THE OWNER OF THE 96 TOYOTA CAMRY IDENTIFIED BY THE VIN NUMBER PROVIDED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL SPEEDING OF MY CAR AS EXPLAINED BELOW: THIS PAST FRIDAY, JAN 13TH ABOUT 6:30 PM CENTRAL TIME, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-65 SOUTH (FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA TO HOOVER, ALABAMA). ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES ON THE ROAD, WHEN I WAS JU…

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I AM THE OWNER OF THE 96 TOYOTA CAMRY IDENTIFIED BY THE VIN NUMBER PROVIDED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL SPEEDING OF MY CAR AS EXPLAINED BELOW: THIS PAST FRIDAY, JAN 13TH ABOUT 6:30 PM CENTRAL TIME, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-65 SOUTH (FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA TO HOOVER, ALABAMA). ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES ON THE ROAD, WHEN I WAS JUST ABOUT TO REACH MY DESTINATION, MY VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING ABRUPTLY EVEN WHEN THE FOOT WAS OFF THE PEDAL. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING UPWARDS OF 3000 RPM. IN GREAT DISTRESS, PRAYING TO JESUS, I KEPT HARDLY PRESSING THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT GEAR TO NEUTRAL. IT STARTED REVIVING UP HIGHER IN NEUTRAL. SHIFTED TO PARK AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. IT SEEMS, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OF THROTTLE OR THE PARTS INVOLVED IN THE VEHICLE'S SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY PLACE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND ADVICE ME IF I HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR A CAR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10945355

100,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPEED UP IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRAIN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPEED UP IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRAIN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT A TOYOTA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. ..UPDATED 05/09/17 *BF CONSUMER REPLACED THE PART CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH NEW PART ON JULY 26,2013. CONSUMER HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON NOVEMBER 25,2013. UPDATED 9/5/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10927399

165,000 miles · Jul 29, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10891622

190,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014, WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 96 TOYOTA CAMRY CAR HOME, ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED, SHE HIT THE BRAKE HARD BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WENT 40 MPH. SHE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL VEHICLES BEFORE SHE MANAGED TO SHIFT IT TO THE PARKING MODE AND STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE UP-SLOPE DRIVEWAY. AT THI…

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ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014, WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 96 TOYOTA CAMRY CAR HOME, ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED, SHE HIT THE BRAKE HARD BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WENT 40 MPH. SHE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL VEHICLES BEFORE SHE MANAGED TO SHIFT IT TO THE PARKING MODE AND STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE UP-SLOPE DRIVEWAY. AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ROARING AND SMOKE CAME OUT AND SHE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WE FELT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS SIMILAR TO ACCIDENT HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WE WOULD LIKE TO REPORT IT TO NHTSA AND WISH YOU START A SWIFT INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638045

185 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

96 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 185K MILES ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. TRYING TO HALT THE CAR, A LANDSCAPING TREE WAS HIT, THE WHEEL BLEW OUT, EVENTUALLY STOPPING THE CAR. VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO GEAR, PEDAL OR SHUT OFF OF VEHICLE FROM COMMANDS GIVEN. INSTEAD, AFTER HITTING LANDSCAPING TREE RUNOVER, NEAR MISS PEDEST…

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96 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 185K MILES ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. TRYING TO HALT THE CAR, A LANDSCAPING TREE WAS HIT, THE WHEEL BLEW OUT, EVENTUALLY STOPPING THE CAR. VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO GEAR, PEDAL OR SHUT OFF OF VEHICLE FROM COMMANDS GIVEN. INSTEAD, AFTER HITTING LANDSCAPING TREE RUNOVER, NEAR MISS PEDESTRIANS, TIRE BLOWOUT, THEN HALTED. POLICE TESTED (ON POLICE REPORT VERIFIED) TURN ON OF VEHICLE IN WHICH CAR RESUMED HIGH SPEED REVVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615029

135,060 miles · Oct 2, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENTERED I-75 S ON-RAMP AT ELLENTON FL AND WAS ACCELERATING. AT ABOUT 60 MPH, RAPID ACCELERATION OCCURRED. I WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING A TRACTOR TRAILER ABOUT MID-RIVER ( MANATEE RIVER), CHECKED THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT (NOT ON) AND HIT THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES SLOWED THE VEHICLE FROM 70MPH BUT THE ENGIN…

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STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENTERED I-75 S ON-RAMP AT ELLENTON FL AND WAS ACCELERATING. AT ABOUT 60 MPH, RAPID ACCELERATION OCCURRED. I WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING A TRACTOR TRAILER ABOUT MID-RIVER ( MANATEE RIVER), CHECKED THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT (NOT ON) AND HIT THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES SLOWED THE VEHICLE FROM 70MPH BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I HAD THE BRAKE PETAL FULLY ENGAGED, WHICH DECREASED SPEED TO ABOUT 40 MPH. I PULLED ONTO THE BERM ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE PAST BRIDGE AND WHILE KEEPING FOOT ON BRAKE PULLED GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS FULLY ENGAGED PRODUCING A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY AAA TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP.. WORDING ON REPAIR ESTIMATE IS AS FOLLOWS: WORK REQUESTED: ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. WORK PERFORMED: DIAGNOSE TO AIR INTAKE BOOT DETERIORATED, FOUND SMALL PIECE FELL OFF AND JAMMED INTO THROTTLE PLATE, INSTALL NEW AIR INTAKE BOOT. (AIR MASS METER BOOT). (THE DEFECTIVE DETERIORATING BOOT IS IN MY POSSESSION.) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546497

149,000 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

THIS EVENT OCCURRED TWICE: I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH W/OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR WHICH CAUSED THE…

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THIS EVENT OCCURRED TWICE: I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH W/OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR WHICH CAUSED THE RPM TO JUMP SIGNIFICANTLY. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY OPEN RECALLS NOR COULD THE DEALER IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520705

85,000 miles · Sep 11, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INCREASE ACCELERATION SPEEDS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INCREASE ACCELERATION SPEEDS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96E001000(VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER BUT DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10475032

122,000 miles · Oct 28, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FREQUENTLY EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INOPERABLE. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A CRASH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACTED HAD TO STEER ABRUPTLY TO AV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FREQUENTLY EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INOPERABLE. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A CRASH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACTED HAD TO STEER ABRUPTLY TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10433457

185,257 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL BUT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED TO 5000. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION AND REMAINS STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL BUT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED TO 5000. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION AND REMAINS STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,257.

NHTSA ODI #10432246

Official recalls

2

99V307000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Nov 1, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

96V037000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Feb 20, 1996

THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE BULB HOLDERS OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HEAT RESISTANCE. WHEN THE BULB IS ILLUMINATED, THE RESULTING HIGH TEMPERATURE CAN CAUSE THE BULB HOLDER TO DEFORM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS THE BULB HOLDER DEFORMS, THE BULB CAN LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE LAMP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR COMBINATION LAMP BULB HOLDER TO SEE IF IT IS THE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE DEFECTIVE BULB HOLDER TOGETHER WITH THE WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH A CORRECT BULB HOLDER AND HARNESS.

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

2

DP02004 · Engine Seizure

Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.

PE01024 · Suspension Coil Spring

Opened Jul 18, 2001 · Closed Jan 29, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

No summary supplied.

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