The problem
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.
The risk
As the bulb holder deforms, the bulb can lose electrical contact, resulting in an inoperative lamp, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
The fix
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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 96V-037 (96V037000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Component | Exterior lighting › Tail lights |
| Report date | February 20, 1996 |
| Owners notified | March 25, 1996 |
| Vehicles affected | 756 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the lights
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 96V-037 repair free?
Yes. Toyota dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 756 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.