1996 TOYOTA TERCEL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

N/A

Safety Rating

45

Owner Complaints

12 Crashes 4 Fires

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

3

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL

The 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL has received a total of 45 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bagsfrontal (6 complaints), Suspensionfront (4 complaints), and Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System (3 complaints).

Recalls for the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL, potentially affecting up to 63,865 vehicles.

Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 1,921 vehicles affected

Defect: 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."

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

View full details →

Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 61,944 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL

45 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#10714840 | STEERING | | 121,500 miles
STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. CAR WON'T STEER.
#10714840 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 121,500 miles
STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. CAR WON'T STEER.
#10714840 | WHEELS | | 121,500 miles
STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. CAR WON'T STEER.
#10678337 | SERVICE BRAKES | | 123,550 miles Crash 2 Injuries
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.
#10541744 | SEAT BELTS | | 160,000 miles
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER GRAB. PART SEEMS DEFECTIVE, BUT NO APPEARANCE OF ANY CRACK, OR DAMAGE. *JB

View all Air Bagsfrontal complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL

Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TC01029 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE HARD TO START. *YD

PG00297 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PUBLICATION CORRECTION INFORMATION. *JD

TC97001 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ADDITION TO TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SSC T04. *JD

NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the TOYOTA TERCEL

View all TOYOTA TERCEL model years →

Other TOYOTA Models

View all TOYOTA models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report