FaultScore

1996 Toyota Tacoma brake problems

13 of the 321 complaints about the 1996 Toyota Tacoma are about the braking system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,500 miles.

F

13

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Foundation Components 3 23.1%
Drum 3 23.1%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2 15.4%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 15.4%
Pedals AND Linkages 1 7.7%
Disc 1 7.7%
Parking Brake 1 7.7%

Brakes across every Toyota Tacoma year

1996 13 2.0%
1998 25 3.9%
2000 11 1.7%
2001 26 4.1%
2002 18 2.8%
2003 19 3.0%
2004 27 4.2%
2005 26 4.1%
2006 49 7.7%
2007 43 6.7%
2008 30 4.7%
2009 35 5.5%
2010 22 3.4%
2011 13 2.0%
2012 22 3.4%
2013 18 2.8%
2014 17 2.7%
2015 12 1.9%
2016 19 3.0%
2017 32 5.0%
2018 47 7.4%
2019 54 8.5%
2020 13 2.0%
2021 12 1.9%
2024 35 5.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 111,000 miles Acton, MA

PARKING BRAKE

I OWN A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH HAS A RECALL FOR RUST. THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTING OUT. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR EXAMINATION BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS IN BAD SHAPE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OK. A LITTLE WHILE LATER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE MECHANISM ON THE BOTTOM RUSTED OUT AND BROKE. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE. THE TRUCK JUST ROLLED TO A HALT. IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HILL OR IN A PARKING LOT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10346065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Liberty Hill, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

[XXX] 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA IT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AS OTHER MODELS/YR WHY HAVE YOU NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10339159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1996 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS UNDERGONE NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES VARYING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER,WHEEL REPLACEMENT, 4WD BEING INOPERATIVE AND LEAKAGE ON THE PULLEY.*MR THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE WIPER INSERTS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10117348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apopka, FL Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10076129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

THE SPRING THAT HOLDS WHEEL COVER ON THE WHEEL IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO KEEP THE HUP CAP ON. *AK THE HUB CUPS WERE NOT WELDED PROPERLY AND CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE RUST BUILD UP ON REAR WHEEL CAUSED REAR BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #898830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gallup, NM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

RIGHT REAR HOLD DOWN PIN FAILED CAUSING SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #784455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gallup, NM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

HAND BRAKE DOES NOT FULLY RELEASE.

NHTSA complaint #784455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Driggs, ID

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE INNER TIE-ROD END ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS VERY LOOSE. THIS ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO MOVE FREELY ABOUT 1.5 INCHES AT THE PERIMETER IN EACH DIRECTION. THE PART WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST (I THINK) AND YESTERDAY I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AGAIN, NOT AS BAD, ONLY 0.5 INCHES OF TRAVEL. THE FRONT DISK BRAKES CAUSED A SEVERE SHUDDER THAT HAMPERED MY CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AT A MODERATE DECELERATION. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW IT ONLY VIBRATES MILDLY, ALTHOUGH I AM SURE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN IF ITS ALREADY VIBRATING. WHILE WALKING AROUND THE DEALERSHIP I NOTICED A BOX FULL OF TACOMA ROTORS, A PROBLEM MAYBE?

NHTSA complaint #703908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Candler, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #703369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yucaipa, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #602782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

RIO Linda, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

POOR ABS BRAKE PERFORMANCE, IN WET CONDITIONS ONLY, EXTENDED STOPPING IS EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA complaint #804437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Walpole, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE SHAKES.

NHTSA complaint #509396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Steele, AL Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #506840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Toyota Tacoma problems

← Full 1996 Toyota Tacoma report