1996 Toyota Tercel
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 10 of 40 complaints (25%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 51 in 1995 to 40 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,150 | 1,950–2,150 | 2,000–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 29–31 | 29–32 | 27–31 | 27–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 26–28 / 32–35 | 26–29 / 32–36 | 25–28 / 31–35 | 25–27 / 30–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 287–306 | 278–306 | 287–329 | 296–329 | |
| Complaints filed | 51 | 40 | 20 | 3 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 21 | 11 | 5 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 15 | 6 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Tercel have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Toyota Tercel?
Airbags & Restraints: 10 of 40 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Toyota Tercel get?
EPA rates it 29–32 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Toyota Tercel?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 3-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 27 mpg | 32 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | $2,150 (high) | 306 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 26 mpg (low) | 35 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | $2,150 (high) | 306 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 4-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 29 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 278 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 296 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 08E050000 · Aug 14, 2008
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."
Consequence: 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 LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
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.
Consequence: 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.