1996 Toyota Corolla

129 federal complaints (151 component records) · 0 recall campaigns on file · 1 federal investigation · 38 service bulletins
See all 47 model years of the Toyota Corolla →
Engine
1.6L 4-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
23 city / 27 hwy
Federal complaints
129
Recall campaigns
0
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Air bags
32
Seat belts
18
Lighting
15
Brakes
15
Electrical system
12
Glass & wipers
9
Engine & cooling
9
Speed control
7
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 30 complaints01 years old: 26 complaints2 years old: 11 complaints3 years old: 3 complaints4 years old: 12 complaints5 years old: 4 complaints56 years old: 3 complaints7 years old: 8 complaints8 years old: 1 complaints9 years old: 1 complaints10 years old: 1 complaints1011 years old: 2 complaints12 years old: 1 complaints13 years old: 0 complaints14 years old: 1 complaints15 years old: 1 complaints1516 years old: 1 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 1 complaints19 years old: 1 complaints20+ years old: 1 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 109 of 129 complaints with a usable failure date.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Air bags

32 complaint records3 fire reports22 crash reports
"VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAREND COLLISION AT 35 MPH AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →

Seat belts

18 complaint records2 crash reports
"THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT EXTEND. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BEFORE, MOST RECENTLY 5 MONTHS AGO. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seat belts parts in the directory →

Lighting

15 complaint records
"THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL #99V103000 HEADLIGHTS, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse lighting parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
EA97015
opened Jul 1997
closed Sep 1998Exterior LightingTURN SIGNAL FAILURES
There is no summary currently available

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
TSB003220
Aug 2023
Vehicle Speed ControlTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ?
TTT063620
Mar 2022
Service BrakesTT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
Toyota PRO19-02
Jan 2022
TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it.
T-TT-0636-20 Rev
Mar 2021
Back Over PreventionTT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
T-SB-0032-20 Rev
Feb 2021
EquipmentTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ?
Show 33 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
T-TT-0636-20
Dec 2020
Service BrakesTT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
T-SB-0304-17 Obs
Apr 2020
EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
T-SB-0032-20
Apr 2020
EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17.
PG004-97-Obsolet
Aug 2018
EquipmentTechnical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
PG006-01-Obsolet
Aug 2018
EquipmentTechnical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
T-SB-0304-17_Rev
Jul 2018
EquipmentTSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded.
T-SB-0304-17_Rev
Jan 2018
EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and T-SB-0144-08. Service Bulletin Nos.
T-SB-0144-08_Obs
Nov 2017
EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
T-SB-0304-17
Oct 2017
StructureTSB: Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available from Toyota, provided the request meets one of the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin.
TSB018217
Jan 2017
Electrical SystemTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0101-11 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded.
Safety Recall an
Jul 2016
EquipmentUpdate on Technician Certification Requirements.
T-SB-0101-11 Rev
Apr 2015
EquipmentTSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches.
T-SB-0014-11 Rev
Oct 2014
Power TrainTSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle assembly replacement.
T-SB-0134-14
Sep 2014
Power TrainTSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or transmission damage.
T-TT-0010-10 Rev
May 2014
EngineTech Tip: Low battery voltage can contribute to a MIL "ON" condition for P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit) and/or P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit) due to inconsistent rotational speed of the engine's crankshaft.
T-TT-0213-13
Jan 2014
Air BagsToyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision.
T-SB-0185-13
Dec 2013
VisibilityThe following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
TS-BO030-01 Obso
Dec 2013
Visibility/WiperThis bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
T-SB-0071-11 Rev
Oct 2013
Power TrainThe purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or transmission damage.
T-SB-0141-13
Sep 2013
Parking BrakeSUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
T-TT-0213-13
Jan 2013
Air BagsToyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision.
T-SB-0071-11
Jun 2011
Power TrainSUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
BO02601
Oct 2001
Seat BeltsSUBJECT REGARDING SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR TAPE SET. *YD
T-PG007-01
May 2001
EquipmentReplacement vin plates.
AX00101
Mar 2001
StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING RETRO-FIT INTERNAL TRUNK RELEASE KITS. *TT
AX00499
Mar 1999
EquipmentSUBJECT REGARDING TOYOTA DINGHY TOWING GUIDE. *TT
DL00198
Mar 1998
Power TrainREPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT AXLE HUB NUT. *YC
COM04010497B
Apr 1997
Unknown Or OtherA PRODUCTION CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE TO THE HAZARD SWITCH TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TURN SIGNAL CIRCUIT IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *JD
BO00297A
Feb 1997
Fuel SystemFUEL DOOR OPERATION IN COLD CLIMATE. *JD
BO00297
Feb 1997
Fuel SystemFUEL DOOR OPERATION IN COLD CLIMATE. *JD
BO00197A
Feb 1997
VisibilityREAR DOOR GLASS PERFORMANCE IN COLD CLIMATE. *JD
BO00197
Feb 1997
VisibilityREAR DOOR GLASS PERFORMANCE IN COLD CLIMATE. *JD
T-PG002-91
Jan 1991
EquipmentProduct general information.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
  2. Pull and release every belt.A belt that retracts slowly or a buckle that will not latch matches this vehicle's seat-belt cluster.
  3. Do a full walk-around with every light on.Condensation inside a lens, a dim side, or a flickering tail light match this vehicle's lighting cluster.
  4. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Toyota Corolla →