1996 Toyota Tercel Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 5%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 188,602miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Toyota Tercel, 5% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 188,602 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10201845, filed 2007-09, 188,602 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10111197Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 2 | 4% |
| 1994 | 2 | 5% |
| 1993 | 2 | 5% |
| 1992 | 1 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 11% |
| 1989 | 1 | 5% |
| 1988 | 3 | 38% |
| 1987 | 2 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1996 Toyota Tercel
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTires
3 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 Oct 29, 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