1996 Toyota Tacoma Base
4TAWM72N0TZ117878
Vehicle history report for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma Base (VIN 4TAWM72N0TZ117878). Gold, pickup, 2.7L 4-cyl 150 hp, gasoline. 232,211 mi reported. Registered in Pa. 6 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1996 Toyota Tacoma data →
What's a 1996 Toyota Tacoma worth?
What comparable 1996 Toyota Tacoma vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Toyota Tacoma costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 4TAWM72N0TZ117878
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 6
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.
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 · 07/04/2009EXTERIOR 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.
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 · 24/05/2006EXTERIOR 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.
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 · 11/05/2009EXTERIOR 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.
NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THESE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL TO HOLD THE SPEED SET BY THE DRIVER AND CAN ACCELERATE ABOVE THE INTENDED SET SPEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES.
NHTSA Campaign #96E001000 · 03/01/1996SUSPENSION:FRONT
UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT CAN CRACK LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE SUPPORT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SUSPENSION SUPPORT.
NHTSA Campaign #96V129000 · 10/07/1996We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 278 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 278
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1996 Toyota Tacoma.
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Rear passenger frame rusted/rotted, rear passenger shock mount completely torn off frame at rust area and rear passenger leaf spring assembly cracked. Vehicle is not drivable and completely unsafe. This vehicle was recalled in May 2008 for inspection of frame rust and passed the inspection with only surface frame rust found and no rust perforation. Vehicl…
NHTSA ODI #11512855SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
I PURCHASED TRUCK IN 2005 FROM TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE KY I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE TOOK TRUCK TO HAVE BRAKES DONE MECHANIC REFUSED TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE OF DANGEROUS FRAME HOLES RUST CAN PUSH IN SIDES OF FRAME WITH FINGERS AND MAKE A HOLE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE!
NHTSA ODI #11403041SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOWER. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE REAR CENTER LEAF SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND HAD ALSO PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FRAC…
NHTSA ODI #11385620STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED WITH HOLES NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTED FRAME REPAIR. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT CORRODED AND …
NHTSA ODI #11244911STRUCTURE
THE FRAME ON THE PASSAGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK HAS RUSTED OUT? WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION.
NHTSA ODI #11104864UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RECALL INFO, CAN'T SELL WITHOUT PAPERWORK ON FRAME AND NEW COMPANY IN OUR CITY WON'T OR CAN'T GIVE ME PROOF THAT FRAME IS OK
NHTSA ODI #11033195STRUCTURE
ONLY 114,000 MILES, FRAME RUSTED THROUGH. UNSAFE.
NHTSA ODI #11019932SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION SUPPORT WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V129000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
NHTSA ODI #11004095+ 270 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN 4TAWM72N0TZ117878 valid?
4TAWM72N0TZ117878 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in United States. It decodes to the 1996 Toyota Tacoma.
Does the 1996 Toyota Tacoma have any open safety recalls?
Yes — 6 open NHTSA safety recalls are on record for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are carried out free by any franchised dealer; see the recall details above.
What is a fair price for a 1996 Toyota Tacoma?
Comparable 1996 Toyota Tacoma listings run roughly $1,600–$10,500, typically around $4,271 (from 7 comparable vehicles). The full report shows this exact VIN's valuation.
What fuel economy does the 1996 Toyota Tacoma get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 1996 Toyota Tacoma at about 18 mpg combined (17 city / 21 highway).
Data last checked 3 Oct 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.