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1996 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

73 reports with mileage · 180 unknown

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.

  • Suspension. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

253 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control

THE THROTLE STICKS BADLY. OFTEN TIMES I MUST STOMP ON THE GAS TO GET UNSTUCK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAD NO FIX. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707317

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 1999
Suspension

LEFT & RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN IN HALF. DEALER HAS ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THESE. THEY AGREED TO SPLIT THE COST WITH ME 50-50. HOWEVER, I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT LIVE HERE IN THE SALEM/BLOOMINGTON AREA. THE FAILUR…

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LEFT & RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN IN HALF. DEALER HAS ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THESE. THEY AGREED TO SPLIT THE COST WITH ME 50-50. HOWEVER, I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT LIVE HERE IN THE SALEM/BLOOMINGTON AREA. THE FAILURE DATE/MILAGE I LISTED IS INCORECT.. SINCE I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE SPRINGS ACTUALLY BROKE... I NOTICED IT WHILE LOOKING FOR A SQUEEKING NOISE I WAS HEARING. THANKS! *AK

NHTSA ODI #707233

Mileage unknown · May 19, 1999
Power TrainSuspension

MY TRUCK EXPERIENCES SEVERE TRANSMISION NOISE WHEN I APPLY BRAKES, CAME TO A STOP AND THEN PROCEED.A NOTICEABLE CLUNKING NOISE TOOK PLACE AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN.ALSO MY FRONT TIRES WORE EXCESSIVELY ON THE HEELS, AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT END WAS MISALIGNED. OFCOURSE I PAID FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT …

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MY TRUCK EXPERIENCES SEVERE TRANSMISION NOISE WHEN I APPLY BRAKES, CAME TO A STOP AND THEN PROCEED.A NOTICEABLE CLUNKING NOISE TOOK PLACE AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN.ALSO MY FRONT TIRES WORE EXCESSIVELY ON THE HEELS, AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT END WAS MISALIGNED. OFCOURSE I PAID FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT BUT IT DIDNT HELP THE VEHICLE FROM SHAKING AT SPEEDS OF 55+MPH.ALSO , THE FRONT SUSPENSION SHIMMIES, SHAKES, AND RATTLES OVER MINOR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. I FEEL LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS TELLING ME THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT, AND MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CAN SOMEONE OFFER HELP OR ADVICE? THOMAS J FINLEY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #706676

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 1999
Suspension

HEARD A METAL-LIKE RUBBING SOUND APPROXIMATELY 3-4 WEEKS BEFORE NOTICING PROBLEM. TWO REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A TIRE BLOW OUT AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS NEW DESIGN O REAR LEAF SPRING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #835586

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, THE TRUCK ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO 3 OTHER VEHICLES. EVEN THOUGH DRIVER'S FOOT WAS HEAVY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE TRUCK DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD. THE BODY WORK IN BEING TAKEN CA…

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WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, THE TRUCK ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO 3 OTHER VEHICLES. EVEN THOUGH DRIVER'S FOOT WAS HEAVY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE TRUCK DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD. THE BODY WORK IN BEING TAKEN CARE. OWNER IS WAITING FOR A INSPECTOR FROM TOYOTA TO CHECK THE ACCELERATOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836302

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 1999
Suspension

SPOKE TO LOCAL DEALER TECHNICIAN. HE SAID THAT THIS DEALERSHIP WAS TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH GOODWILL REPAIRS THAT INCLUDED BOTH PARTS AND LABOR. I WAS CHARGED $100 LABOR FOR THE REPAIRS BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT IF ONE DEALERSHIP CAN DO THIS THEN THEY ALL CAN. TWO OF THE THREE SPRING LEAFS HAD BROKEN COMPLETEL…

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SPOKE TO LOCAL DEALER TECHNICIAN. HE SAID THAT THIS DEALERSHIP WAS TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH GOODWILL REPAIRS THAT INCLUDED BOTH PARTS AND LABOR. I WAS CHARGED $100 LABOR FOR THE REPAIRS BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT IF ONE DEALERSHIP CAN DO THIS THEN THEY ALL CAN. TWO OF THE THREE SPRING LEAFS HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY. THEY WERE REPLACED WITH AN UPDATED SET THAT INCLUDED THREE MAIN AND ONE OVERLOAD BUILT RIGHT INTO THE ASSEMBLEY.TOYOTA OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM DUE TO THIS UPDATED PART ASSY. THAT THE DEALER HAD RIGHT IN STOCK AND CHANGED THAT DAY WHILE I WAITED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #704766

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE MAKES A LOAD POPPING NOISE WHILE IT IS WARMING UP AND WHEN IT IS COOLING DOWN AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN SHUT OFF. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT IS THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A SERVICE REPORT FOR THIS. WILL THIS PROBLEM CAUSE ANY DAMAGE IN THE FUTURE. CAN IT BE FIXED? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, OLIVER …

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THE ENGINE MAKES A LOAD POPPING NOISE WHILE IT IS WARMING UP AND WHEN IT IS COOLING DOWN AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN SHUT OFF. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT IS THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A SERVICE REPORT FOR THIS. WILL THIS PROBLEM CAUSE ANY DAMAGE IN THE FUTURE. CAN IT BE FIXED? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, OLIVER NEWMAN

NHTSA ODI #704077

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

THE INNER TIE-ROD END ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS VERY LOOSE. THIS ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO MOVE FREELY ABOUT 1.5 INCHES AT THE PERIMETER IN EACH DIRECTION. THE PART WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST (I THINK) AND YESTERDAY I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AGAIN, NOT AS BAD, ONLY 0.5 INCHES OF TRAVEL. THE FRONT DISK BRAKES CAUSED A SEVERE SHUDDER THAT H…

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THE INNER TIE-ROD END ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS VERY LOOSE. THIS ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO MOVE FREELY ABOUT 1.5 INCHES AT THE PERIMETER IN EACH DIRECTION. THE PART WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST (I THINK) AND YESTERDAY I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AGAIN, NOT AS BAD, ONLY 0.5 INCHES OF TRAVEL. THE FRONT DISK BRAKES CAUSED A SEVERE SHUDDER THAT HAMPERED MY CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AT A MODERATE DECELERATION. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW IT ONLY VIBRATES MILDLY, ALTHOUGH I AM SURE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN IF ITS ALREADY VIBRATING. WHILE WALKING AROUND THE DEALERSHIP I NOTICED A BOX FULL OF TACOMA ROTORS, A PROBLEM MAYBE?

NHTSA ODI #703908

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #703369

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 1999
Suspension

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #703368

Official recalls

1

96V129000 · Suspension:front

Jul 10, 1996

UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT CAN CRACK LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE SUPPORT.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SUSPENSION SUPPORT.

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

1

EA97015 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Jul 22, 1997 · Closed Sep 21, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available