1996 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6 RC
All photo credits
- Photo: 2002 Toyota Tacoma in Imperial Jade Green Mica, front left, 10-12-2025 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: DiamondBack Covers - 5204688622 by DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2002 Toyota Tacoma in Imperial Jade Green Mica, rear left, 10-12-2025 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1996 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6 RC is a 190-hp 3.4-liter V6 pickup truck with four-wheel drive. It starts at $18,448 MSRP and is rated at 16 mpg combined.
It makes 190 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 220 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 18 mpg highway (16 mpg combined).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Pickup |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $18,448 ($38,213 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.4L DOHC 24-valve EFI V6 |
| Displacement | 3.4 L |
| Horsepower | 190 hp @ 4,800 rpm |
| Torque | 220 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 24-valve |
| Injection Type | Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Part-time 4WD (front engine, part-time four-wheel drive) |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 15 MPG |
| Highway | 18 MPG |
| Combined | 16 MPG |
| Tank Capacity | 18 gal |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1996 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6 RC with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota TACOMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 11, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
NHTSA campaign 09E025000
Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA campaign 09E012000
May 24, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
NHTSA campaign 06E049000
Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA campaign 06E026000
Jul 10, 1996 · SUSPENSION:FRONT
UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT CAN CRACK LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE SUPPORT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SUSPENSION SUPPORT.
NHTSA campaign 96V129000
Jan 3, 1996 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THESE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL TO HOLD THE SPEED SET BY THE DRIVER AND CAN ACCELERATE ABOVE THE INTENDED SET SPEED.
Consequence: UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES.
NHTSA campaign 96E001000
257 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota TACOMA
Owner Complaints
257 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota TACOMA (20 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Suspension | 85 |
| Structure | 63 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 20 |
| Tires | 19 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Power Train | 12 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.