1996 TOYOTA TERCEL

2 recalls — 45 complaints

08E050000 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."
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.
1,921 vehicles affected
06E026000 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.
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.
61,944 vehicles affected
UNKNOWN OR OTHER May 3, 2015
STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. CAR WON'T STEER.
WHEELS May 3, 2015
STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. CAR WON'T STEER.
STEERING May 3, 2015
STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. CAR WON'T STEER.
SERVICE BRAKES Jan 22, 2015
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.
Crash 2 injured
SEAT BELTS Sep 4, 2013
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER GRAB. PART SEEMS DEFECTIVE, BUT NO APPEARANCE OF ANY CRACK, OR DAMAGE. *JB
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Feb 26, 2010
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Sep 4, 2007
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
Fire
TIRES:TREAD/BELT May 14, 2007
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
TIRES Jan 3, 2006
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
Crash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Aug 24, 2005
(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.
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Mar 31, 2005
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Apr 22, 2004
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE May 9, 2003
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
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 6, 2003
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED WHICH MADE THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE. *JB *NM
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Sep 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 45MPPH HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK
Crash 1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER Sep 23, 1999
MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. MANUFACTURER HAS NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FORCING ME TO DRIVE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM.
AIR BAGS Mar 17, 1999
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Jan 6, 1999
FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFOGGERS FUNCTION POORLY CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Dec 10, 1998
TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE OIL PAN CRACKED, AND ARE LEAKING FUEL WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES Dec 10, 1998
TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE OIL PAN CRACKED, AND ARE LEAKING FUEL WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Nov 18, 1998
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER FAILED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Nov 18, 1998
IGNITION KEY DID NOT TURN RESULTING IN THE ENGINE BEING HARD TO START.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Nov 18, 1998
HEAD LIGHT FAILED.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 1, 1998
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?
Crash 3 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Oct 20, 1998
FUEL LINE FAILURE RESULTING IN EXPLOSION.
Fire
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Oct 15, 1998
DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END COLLISION. HIT DIVIDER AT 60 MPH AND BOUNCED INTO GUARDRAIL. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES.
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Mar 2, 1998
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A 35 MPH FRONTAL IMPACT.
PARKING BRAKE Jul 24, 1997
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jun 3, 1997
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. *AK
Crash 4 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Apr 25, 1997
DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END COLLISION; HIT ANOTHER SLIGHTLY MOVING VEHICLE AT INTERSECTION, SPEED 40 MPH. *AK
Crash
SUSPENSION:FRONT Apr 24, 1997
FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Mar 25, 1997
DEFROSTER FAILED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Mar 25, 1997
BRAKES FAILED.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Mar 25, 1997
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR Mar 12, 1997
HEATER FAN MOTOR OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Feb 3, 1997
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Fire
SUSPENSION:REAR Dec 31, 1996
REAR END OF CAR TOO LIGHT, CAUSING REAR END TO SLIDE AND FISHTAIL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
POWER TRAIN Dec 27, 1996
SET CAR IN REVERSE AND THE MILEAGE IS ERASED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Aug 1, 1996
DRIVING AT SPEED OF 25MPH, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE OR BRAKES LOCKED UP AND IMPACT 1:00 POSITION.*AK
Crash
STEERING Aug 1, 1996
DRIVING AT SPEED OF 25MPH, COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE OR BRAKES LOCKED UP AND IMPACT 1:00 POSITION.*AK
Crash
TIRES Mar 18, 1996
TIRE CAME OFF RIM WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE FLIPPED TWO TIMES. *AK
Crash 2 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT Mar 4, 1996
THE FRONT WHEELS ARE MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE WHEELS SPIN AROUND, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT. *AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT Mar 4, 1996
THE FRONT WHEEL IS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE,THE WHEELS SPIN AROUND, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT. *AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT Mar 4, 1996
THE FRONT WHEEL IS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE,THE WHEELS SPIN AROUND, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT. *AK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Dec 1, 1995
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION (12:00) TRAVELLING AT 35 MPH. TT
Crash 1 injured