Model year guide

1996 Toyota Corolla

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Toyota Corolla is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 37 on record.

1996 Toyota Corolla — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Toyota Corolla at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints143
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$878

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1996 Toyota Corolla recalls 6

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #08E050000 · 11/08/2008

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."

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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.

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

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.

Fix: 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.

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #10E002000 · 11/02/2010

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

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.

Fix: 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.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #96E001000 · 03/01/1996

THESE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL TO HOLD THE SPEED SET BY THE DRIVER AND CAN ACCELERATE ABOVE THE INTENDED SET SPEED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1996 Toyota Corolla common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Air Bags
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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

1996 Toyota Corolla MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,300

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1996 Toyota Corolla worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$878
High
$1,300

From 30 comparable 1996 Toyota Corolla listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Toyota Corolla costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,500
Fuel only$11,500
Per mile$0.15

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.

1996 Toyota Corolla trims & engines on record

Trims
DX · Base
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl 105 hp · 1.8L 4-cyl

1996 Toyota Corolla vehicles on record

Other Toyota Corolla model years

1996 Toyota Corolla — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Toyota Corolla have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 1996 Toyota Corolla. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Toyota Corolla?

Based on 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are vehicle speed control, air bags, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Toyota Corolla get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1996 Toyota Corolla at about 27 mpg combined (24 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 1996 Toyota Corolla worth?

Comparable 1996 Toyota Corolla listings run roughly $500–$1,300, typically around $878 (from 30 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.