1996 Toyota Tercel Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 18%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 215,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Toyota Tercel, 18% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 215,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“(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 complaint #10134128, filed 2005-08, 215,000 miles“Dual airbags did not deploy during front end collision, vehicle hit by another vehicle traveling at high speed, vehicle #1 going uphill 25 MPH. Owner will provide detailed information, not checked by dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #812719, filed 1997-06Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: 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…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota 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…
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Toyota Tercel
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Toyota Tercel
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology