Toyota Tacoma / 1996
1996 Toyota Tacoma problems
Owners have filed 321 complaints about the 1996 Toyota Tacoma with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 29.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of structure at 20.6%.
Complaints321
Crashes24
Fires1
Injuries17
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Suspension 29.6% · 95
Structure 20.6% · 66
Engine and engine cooling 6.5% · 21
Tires 6.2% · 20
Air bags 5.3% · 17
Power train 4.7% · 15
Vehicle speed control 4.4% · 14
Service brakes, hydraulic 3.7% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 24 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire, 17 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Toyota Tacoma in this data, 1996 sits 14th by complaint volume. 2006 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 137,345 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 96v129000 (suspension:front). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs and the dealer confirmed that the frame was corroded. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the recall was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,869 and the current mileage was 114,879. Suspension · reported at 114,869 miles
I have heard a noise in rear for some time. I discovered recently that the middle of right rear leaf spring was popped out and rubbing the shock. No used part can be found and new part very unaffordable considering 5000.00 Left owing on 18000 for the vehicle. Work for local tag office and have heard many similiar reports on same part. Reports came from individuals, mechanics, and dealers. Suspension
Rear leaf spring on passenger side (# 2 leaf) has cracked, leading to unpredictable rear suspesion behavior over bumps. This is a widely known problem. Toyota is aware that there is a high failure rate on Tacoma leaf springs, as are all parts and service personnel that I have spoken to. This is a very expensive repair for a known problem, Toyota should be providing assistance/recall. Suspension · reported at 78,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…