1996 Toyota Tercel

Routine

Owners filed 40 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal6
507
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System3
000
Suspension › Front3
000
Tires2
202
Steering2
100
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor1
010
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Unknown or Other1
103
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Suspension › Rear1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

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."

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed May 3, 2015121,500 milesPR

STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. CAR WON'T STEER.

Service BrakesCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 22, 2015123,550 milesVA

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.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 4, 2013160,000 milesCA

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER GRAB. PART SEEMS DEFECTIVE, BUT NO APPEARANCE OF ANY CRACK, OR DAMAGE. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 26, 2010145,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT STOP. HE HAD TO DRIVE TO A SERVICE ROAD AND FORCE THE GEAR INTO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SOME WD-40 WAS SPRAYED ON THE ENGINE AND THEY HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2008 WITH 128,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE DEALER OR TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 11/11/10 *BF UPDATED 11/18/10*JB

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Sep 4, 2007188,602 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE SMOKE TURNED INTO A FIRE THAT WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE FIRE MELTED A HOLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED BY A SEPARATED WIRE IN THE AIR BAG. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 188,602. UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHITE SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THEN THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE TOP PORTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BY USING SOME WATER. THE MECHANIC STATED A WIRE SEPARATED FROM THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WHICH CAUSED THE SHORT. UPDATED

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed May 14, 2007100,000 milesSC

TL - WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT DEBRIS IN THE ROAD CAUSING COMPLETE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED MAY 2006 DUE TO DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE HAVING HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 100,000. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE ENGINE SIZE IS UNKNOWN. KB THE CONSUMER PROVIDED INVOICES FOR THE REPAIR. UPDATED 06/14/07 *TR

TiresCrash
Filed Dec 22, 2005IL

1996 TOYOTA TERCEL TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT AND SPUN TO THE RIGHT STRIKING A GUARDRAIL WITH IT'S LEFT FRONT. THE VEHICLE AGAIN STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL WITH IT'S LEFT REAR AND SPUN TO THE RIGHT MAKING A 360 DEGREE TURN AND CAME TO REST IN THE RIGHT LANE. THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 24, 2005215,000 milesVA

(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.

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Mar 15, 2005CA

THE SEAT BELT LATCH IN THE CONSUMER'S 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THE VELT MUST BE WORN TWISTED. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Feb 19, 2004100,000 milesNC

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED WHICH MADE THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE. *JB *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 200441,800 milesAR

OIL SLUDGE 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL. THE MOTOR STARTED TO KNOCK. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS A LACK OF MAINTENCE PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND HAD DONE THE MAINTENCE. THE OIL LOOKED LIKE SLUDGE. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE MOTOR SO IT WAS REPOSED AND SOLD AT AUCTION FOR ABOUT $3,000. WHICH LEFT ME TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE I AM STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR. I WAS IN LPN SCHOOL AND PREGNANT AT THE TIME THE CAR BROKE DOWN. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTOOD ON THE LEMON LAW WAS THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME CONDITION BEFORE THE LEMON LAW WOULD APPLY. I ALMOST MISCARRIED MY THIRD CHILD AND WAS ADVISED BY MY DOCTOR TO GET RID OF MY STRESS SO I DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL AND FORGOT ABOUT THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE TOYOTA OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. HERE IS THE LIST OF PROBLEMS THAT MY CAR HAD. 11-20-97 O-RING AND SEAL, 12-15-97 TRANSMISSION LEAK, FRONT PUMP SEAL, O-RING, RR TRANSMISSION AXLE AND REPLACE O-RING, TORQUE CONVERTER, 2-25-98 SLOW TO LOCK INTO REVERSE WHEN COLD AND WAS LOW IN FLUID (DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM), 3-17-98 SLOW TO LOCK INTO REVERSE AGAIN (DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM), 11-98 DAMAGE TO VALVE STEAM SEALS, WAVED SURFACE ON TOP OF CYLINDER BOOR, PISTON STRIKING CYLINDER HEAD, SPUN #4 ROD BEARING, CRANK SHAFT DAMAGED, #4 CONNECTING ROD DAMAGED, OIL PUMP PICK-UP TUBE SCREEN PLUGGED WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP, CYLINDER HEAD AND OIL PAN SLUDGE BUILD UP. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A NEW MOTOR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 9, 200341,800 milesAR

OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM WITH 1996 TOYOTA TERCEL. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND TOYOTA WOULD NOT PAY. CAR WAS TAKEN AND SOLD AT AN AUCTION LEAVING ME TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 4, 2002MD

WHILE DRIVING 45MPPH HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Sep 23, 1999VA

MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. MANUFACTURER HAS NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FORCING ME TO DRIVE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 17, 1999FL

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines
Filed Dec 10, 1998OH

TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE OIL PAN CRACKED, AND ARE LEAKING FUEL WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Unknown or OtherCrash3 injured
Filed Nov 1, 1998LA

OK HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED. WHEN WE WERE RAN OFF THE ROAD WE HIT A SIGN AND BOTH OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR DEPLOYED. WE HAD JUMPED A MEDIAN AND WAS HEADED DOWNHILL. WHEN THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED A POWDER SUBSTANCE WAS DEPLOYED WITH IT. BEING THAT WE HAD NEVER HAD AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ON US, WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT THIS WAS. MY FRIEND THOUGHT IT WAS SMOKE AND FREAKED OUT AND WE ALL JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS ON FIRE. IT SMELT JUST LIKE SMOKE FROM A FIRE. SO MY PROBLEM IS WITH AIRBAGS AND THEM NOT BEING PROPERLY LABELED THAT THIS POWDER SUBSTANCE IS ALSO DEPLOYED. IF WE HAD KNOWN THIS BEFORE MY FRIEND WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH MONTHS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AND HAVE A BIG SCAR ON HER LEG TODAY. MY OTHER FRIEND WOULD NOT HAVE SCARS EITEHR. SO DO YOU THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO PUT SOME SORT OF WARNING ON AIRBAGS IN THE FUTURE TO PREVENT THESE KINDS OF ACCIDENTS?

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 15, 1998WA

DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END COLLISION. HIT DIVIDER AT 60 MPH AND BOUNCED INTO GUARDRAIL. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES.

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsFire
Filed Aug 24, 1998CA

FUEL LINE FAILURE RESULTING IN EXPLOSION.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Mar 2, 1998PA

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A 35 MPH FRONTAL IMPACT.

20 of 40 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20001000Routine
19991101Fatalities reported
19983100Routine
199720200Routine
1996 — this page40240Routine
199551210Routine
199440032Fatalities reported
199343000Routine
199224011Fatalities reported
199117010Routine
199019140Routine

Compare every Tercel year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 11, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.