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1996 Toyota Tercel DX 2dr 4AT

The 1996 Toyota Tercel DX 2dr 4AT is a 93-hp 1.5-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed automatic w/od and front-wheel drive. It starts at $12,308 MSRP and is rated at 29 mpg combined.

It makes 93 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 100 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway (29 mpg combined).

The Tercel measures 161.8 inches long on a 93.7-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$12,308 ($25,495 *)
MSRP with Destination$12,728 ($26,365 *)
Destination Charge$420
Engine
Engine Type5E-FE, 1.5L DOHC 16-valve inline-4
Displacement1.5 L
Horsepower93 hp @ 5,400 rpm
Torque100 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves/cylinder
Bore and Stroke74 x 87
Compression Ratio9.4:1
Injection TypeElectronic multiport fuel injection (EFI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic w/OD
1st Gear3.64
2nd Gear2.01
3rd Gear1.31
4th Gear0.89
Reverse2.3
Final Drive2.82
Fuel Economy
City26 MPG
Highway35 MPG
Combined29 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity11.9 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson strut
Rear SuspensionTorsion beam
Turning Diameter31.5 ft
Brakes
Front Brake DiscDisc
Rear Brake DiscDrum, 7.1 x 1.0 in.
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front13 in., steel
Wheels Rear13 in., steel
Tires Front155/80SR13
Tires Rear155/80SR13
Dimensions & Weight
Length161.8 in
Width64.8 in
Height54.1 in
Wheelbase93.7 in
Cargo Volume9.3 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front38.6 in
Headroom Rear36.5 in
Legroom Front41.2 in
Legroom Rear31.9 in
Shoulder Room Front51.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear51.6 in
Hip Room Front54 in
Hip Room Rear49 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1996 Toyota Tercel 4-DR.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota TERCEL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 11, 2008 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

NHTSA campaign 08E050000

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

44 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota TERCEL

Owner Complaints

44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota TERCEL (11 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags7
Service Brakes5
Engine And Engine Cooling4
Hydraulic4
Seat Belts4
Suspension4
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 3, 2015 · Steering, Wheels, Unknown Or Other
“STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. CAR WON'T STEER.”
Jan 22, 2015 · Service Brakes Crash 2 injuries
“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…”
Sep 4, 2013 · Seat Belts
“FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER GRAB. PART SEEMS DEFECTIVE, BUT NO APPEARANCE OF ANY CRACK, OR DAMAGE. *JB”
Jan 18, 2011 · Exterior Lighting
“I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF AND ON. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON TILL I TURNED THE POWER OFF IN THE CAR…”
Feb 26, 2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
“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…”

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 TERCEL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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