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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

Visibility complaints

26 reports
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50,000 miles · Jan 17, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP, AND NOW THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW'S WILL NOT GO UP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP, AND NOW THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW'S WILL NOT GO UP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10215240

103,000 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Visibility

MY CAR WAS PARKED, TEMP WAS UNDER 70 DEG. THE REAR WINDOW GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND EXPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES, SHOOTING GLASS UP TO 10 FEET AWAY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154817

89,000 miles · Feb 1, 2005
Visibility

A THIN LAYER OF ICE HAD FORMED ON MY CAR'S REAR WINDSHIELD OVERNIGHT. I TRIED TO CLEAR IT BY USING MY REAR DEFOST. I DROVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND WHILE STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AS A BALLON WOULD EXPLODE, CAME FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR AND I SAW A CRACK AT THE CORNER OF MY BACK WINDSHIELD. I DROVE FOR AN…

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A THIN LAYER OF ICE HAD FORMED ON MY CAR'S REAR WINDSHIELD OVERNIGHT. I TRIED TO CLEAR IT BY USING MY REAR DEFOST. I DROVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND WHILE STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AS A BALLON WOULD EXPLODE, CAME FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR AND I SAW A CRACK AT THE CORNER OF MY BACK WINDSHIELD. I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 1/2 MILES AND ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. THIS IS WHEN THE REAR WINDSHIELD CRUMBLED TO PIECES. I HAD MY BABY IN THE BACK SEAT REAR FACING. FORTUNATELY, I HAD COVERED HER WITH A BLANKET, WHICH SHIELDED HER FROM THE SHATTERED GLASS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10108343

74,972 miles · Sep 13, 2004
Power TrainSeat BeltsTires

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE RPMS WENT TO THE RED ZONE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND PARKED, AND DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. AAA ARRIVED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE IT WAS REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. CONSUMER FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEBSITE.*AK THE VEHICLE SPU…

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CONSUMER'S VEHICLE RPMS WENT TO THE RED ZONE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND PARKED, AND DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. AAA ARRIVED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE IT WAS REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. CONSUMER FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEBSITE.*AK THE VEHICLE SPUN IN A 360 DEGREE TURN ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BEFORE IT REACHED 24,000 MILES. CONSUMER CHANGED TIRES FROM THE TIRES TOYOTA PROVIDED TO A MICHELIN TIRE AND THE SPINNING STOPPED. ON JULY 12, 2004 THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND HAD TO GO IN FOR SERVICE. . IN 2002 THE REAR SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS STUCK. THE CONSUMER HAD IT REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. THE CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THEIR SHARE OF THE EXPENSES OCCURRED DUE TO THIS PRE-MATURE DEFECT. * TC

NHTSA ODI #10087379

60,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ENGINE JUST DIES. USUALLY AT A STOP OR SLOW DOWN. PROBABLY 1X/MONTH FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS. PREVIOUSLY IT JUST HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES LAST YEAR. THE FREQUENCY SEEMS TO BE INCREASING. SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY WITH CITY DRIVING. I DO 90% CITY DRIVING, BUT AM BECOMING NERVOUS ABOUT TAKING THE CAR OUT ON THE FREEWAY.…

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THE ENGINE JUST DIES. USUALLY AT A STOP OR SLOW DOWN. PROBABLY 1X/MONTH FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS. PREVIOUSLY IT JUST HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES LAST YEAR. THE FREQUENCY SEEMS TO BE INCREASING. SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY WITH CITY DRIVING. I DO 90% CITY DRIVING, BUT AM BECOMING NERVOUS ABOUT TAKING THE CAR OUT ON THE FREEWAY. OUR MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANY HISTORY OF THESE STALLS ON THE CAR'S COMPUTER. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ISC VALVE EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. WE NEED TO REPLACE THE ISC VALVE EVERY YEAR. TOYOTA HAS PAID FOR IT, BUT IT IS ANNOYING NOT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #10070289

28,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineUnknown Or OtherVisibility

FUEL SYSTEM: FOR ABOUT THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, CERTAIN MORNINGS MY CAR WOULDN\\'T START BY SIMPLY TURNING THE IGNITION; I HAD TO TRY IT THE \\"OLD FASHIONED\\" WAY AND DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. POWER WINDOW: THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS DYING; IT TAKE…

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FUEL SYSTEM: FOR ABOUT THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, CERTAIN MORNINGS MY CAR WOULDN\\'T START BY SIMPLY TURNING THE IGNITION; I HAD TO TRY IT THE \\"OLD FASHIONED\\" WAY AND DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. POWER WINDOW: THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS DYING; IT TAKES QUITE A LONG TIME FOR THE WINDOW TO OPEN AND CLOSE. OTHER: THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE OFF IN MY HAND FOUR (4) WEEKS AGO!!! PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 29,000 MILES AND IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. SOMETHING WHICH HAS OCCURRED OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO IS QUITE DANGEROUS AND I NEED TO POINT THIS OUT BECAUSE I, NOR ANYONE I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS EVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THE BLACK WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM ASSEMBLY (WHICH ATTACHES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TO THE MOTOR), FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, THE BLACK PAINT HAS "WORN AWAY", EXPOSING A BRIGHT SILVER METAL, WHICH REFLECTS THE SUN DIRECTLY INTO MY EYES. IT IS QUITE DANGEROUS. SINCE I DON'T DO A LOT OF DRIVING AND ALWAYS WEAR SUNGLASSES ON SUNNY DAYS, THEY HAS HELPED ME SOMEWHAT. HOWEVER, RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING ON A CLOUDY DAY WHEN THE SUN DID IN FACT COME OUT WHILE I WAS WITHOUT SUNGLASSES. THIS PROVED TO BE MOST DANGEROUS AS I MANAGED TO AVOID AT LEAST ONE ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS CONDITION..

NHTSA ODI #10070135

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringVisibility

IN APPROX JUNE OF 2002 MY TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED I NOW APPEAR TO HAVE THE OIL GELLING PROBLEM. APPROX MAY 2003 I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO PUMP GAS AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN ON THE DRIVER SIDE. APPROX AUGUST 2003 I BEGAN NOTICING IF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I APPLY MY BRAKES MY WHOLE CAR BEGINS SHAKING.

NHTSA ODI #10069487

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingInterior LightingPower Train

SEVERAL PROBLEMS:FAULTY INTERIOR LIGHTING,POWER ANTENNA,BRAKE NOISE,FAULTY POWER WINDOWS,MAIN REAR SEAL LEAK

NHTSA ODI #10032857

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

#1 - DISCOVERED WIND NOISE FROM AN INCOMPLETE SEAL IN RIGHT REAR QUARTER GLASS OF VEHICLE, ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEL TOYOTA(DEALER), WHO SAID THEY RESEALED THE WINDOW. NOISE FROM SAID WINDOW CONTINUED, AT HIGHER SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. I TOOK VEHICLE BACK INTO DEALER ONE MONTH LATER. THIS TIME, THEY SAID THEY …

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#1 - DISCOVERED WIND NOISE FROM AN INCOMPLETE SEAL IN RIGHT REAR QUARTER GLASS OF VEHICLE, ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEL TOYOTA(DEALER), WHO SAID THEY RESEALED THE WINDOW. NOISE FROM SAID WINDOW CONTINUED, AT HIGHER SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. I TOOK VEHICLE BACK INTO DEALER ONE MONTH LATER. THIS TIME, THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE WEATHERSTRIP AROUND THE WINDOW, THAT THE "WIND NOISE" HAD BEEN CAUSED BY DEFORMED WEATHERSTRIP. THIS WAS DONE WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, NEVER TO MY SATISFACTION. CONDITION EXISTS TODAY, 05/29/2002!! #2 - DISC BRAKES WERE SERVICED BY JERRY'S TOYOTA IN BALTIMORE, AFTER MAKING A STICKING NOISE RIGHT BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT PADS, MACHINED THE ROTORS, AND SERVICED THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER AFTER HE FOUND IT STICKING. THIS DID NOT ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE NOISE, WHICH CONTINUES TODAY (05/29/2002) EVEN AFTER A SECOND SERVICING! #3 - ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK THE TOYOTA CAMRY INTO JERRY'S TOYOTA FOR SERVICING. THEY CLEANED CARBON DEPOSITS FROM INJECTORS, THROTTLE PLATE VALVES AND PISTON RINGS; SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE #3 CYLINDER. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME; I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING. I AM NOW WAITING FOR EITHER A THIRD INCIDENT AT $200. TO FIX, OR IF THEY REPLACE ANY FUEL INJECTORS, THESE COST $200. EA PER PART!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #762435

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2001
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH FELT A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER WHICH WAS CORRECTED BY ITSELF. A MINUTE LATER, WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSAXLE CRACKED AND IT BROKE OFF WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. DIFFERENTIAL UNIT LOCKING WAS TORN UP, AND CE…

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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH FELT A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER WHICH WAS CORRECTED BY ITSELF. A MINUTE LATER, WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSAXLE CRACKED AND IT BROKE OFF WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. DIFFERENTIAL UNIT LOCKING WAS TORN UP, AND CENTER SUPPORT WAS WIPED OUT. TRANSFER CASE ALSO BROKE WHERE IT WENT ONTO THE BODY. *AK DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS CHUNKS OF METAL FOUND FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DRAIN PLUG. CONSUMER HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE INCLUDING STARTING PROBLEMS. STRUT FAILURE. KEY AND LOCK PROBLEMS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAULTY. INTERIOR AND BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #885849

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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