1996 Toyota Tercel Owner Complaints

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

NHTSA ID

10714840

Incident

Apr 30, 2015

Mileage

121,500 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10678337

Incident

Jan 2, 2015

Mileage

123,550 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10541744

Incident

Apr 24, 2013

Mileage

160,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10314489

Incident

Apr 8, 2009

Mileage

145,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10201845

Incident

Aug 30, 2007

Mileage

188,602 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10190630

Incident

Apr 12, 2007

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

NHTSA ID

10146500

Incident

Dec 5, 2004

(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.

NHTSA ID

10134128

Incident

Mar 10, 2005

Mileage

215,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10115648

Incident

Mar 1, 2005

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

NHTSA ID

10018248

Incident

Apr 29, 2003

Mileage

100,000 mi

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 OR FOR A CAR THAT DID NOT RUN. TOYOTA DROPPED MY WARRANTY. MY HUSBAND HAD CHANGED THE OIL. THE CAR NEVER GOT HOT. THE OIL LOOKED ALMOST LIKE BLACK GLUE. THE CAR GAVE ME NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I WAS ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL AND IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAME AND TOWED IT. TOYOTA HAS OFFERED TO FIX SOME OF THE TOYOTA'S WITH THE TOYOTA OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM STARTING WITH THE 97 BUT MINE WAS A 96.

NHTSA ID

10070275

Incident

Nov 15, 1998

Mileage

41,800 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10018457

Incident

Nov 18, 1998

Mileage

41,800 mi

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

NHTSA ID

8017911

Incident

Sep 1, 2002

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

NHTSA ID

711928

Incident

Aug 23, 1999

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

543918

Incident

Dec 6, 1998

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

NHTSA ID

832137

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?

NHTSA ID

700252

Incident

Feb 15, 1998

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

NHTSA ID

781252

Incident

Dec 14, 1997

FUEL LINE FAILURE RESULTING IN EXPLOSION.

NHTSA ID

539301

Incident

Jul 3, 1998

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

NHTSA ID

531593

Incident

Feb 24, 1998

HEAD LIGHT FAILED.

NHTSA ID

605540

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER FAILED.

NHTSA ID

605476

FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFOGGERS FUNCTION POORLY CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ID

604951

IGNITION KEY DID NOT TURN RESULTING IN THE ENGINE BEING HARD TO START.

NHTSA ID

604193

Incident

Oct 1, 1996

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

519506

Incident

Jun 21, 1997