Most common 1996 Toyota Tercel problems
Share of the 40 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Tercel complaints by model year
Best Tercel years: 1997. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
What 1996 Toyota Tercel owners say
Air bags
(1) automobile accident while avoiding collision with a deer. Accident caused severe front end damage and bending of the uni-body frame. (2) failure of air-bags to deploy. (3) no corrective actions taken as the vehicle was deemed to be a total loss. Some parts have been disposed of, ie. Assorted trim and the front fenders.
Dual airbags did not deploy during front end collision, vehicle hit by another vehicle traveling at high speed, vehicle #1 going uphill 25 MPH. Owner will provide detailed information, not checked by dealer.
Brakes
Tl 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.
Driving at speed of 25mph, could not steer vehicle or brakes locked up and impact 1:00 position.
Suspension
The front wheels are making a very loud noise while driving the vehicle, the wheels spin around, causing the consumer to have a near accident.
The front wheel is making a very loud noise while driving the vehicle,the wheels spin around, causing the consumer to have a near accident.
1996 Toyota Tercel engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | FWD | 29 / 36 / 32 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 35 / 30 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 27 / 32 / 29 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 35 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Toyota Tercel a good car?
Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Tercel rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Tercel at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Toyota Tercel?
The air bags — 7 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the brakes (5) and suspension (4).
How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Tercel have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Toyota Tercel. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Tercel?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Toyota Tercel years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota Tercel problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 124,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.