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4.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,692 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Toyota Tacoma engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #10

Aug 011998

Tacoma

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Head gasket failure caused by difference in expansion rates between the cast iron engine block, and the aluminum head. Aluminum expands 1.7 times faster than iron, causing the head gasket to tear or unwrap. Toyota issued a recall campaign and replaced headgasket and fluids free of charge.

- Anytown, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 302005

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 276,920 miles
My vehicles engine began running rough a few days ago and we began trouble shooting to find the cause. We pulled the spark plugs and found rust and water on one plug. We cleaned the plug up and reinstalled it and ran the vehicle to test it. It ran smooth for about 10 minutes then began running rough again. We have determined that the head gasket has failed. We went on the internet and learned that Toyota had issued a special service campaign for our vehicle back in 1999 and again in 2001. The last one had an expiration date of November 30, 2004. I purchased the vehicle in 2002 and was not aware of the service campaign until we found it on the internet yesterday. We notified Toyota and they told us there was no recall or campaign for our vehicle. We have double checked the VIN number with their campaign notice and it is a match. We have not repaired the vehicle as we feel that Toyota should make it right due to no notification when the campaign was ongoing.

- Cleveland, TX, USA

problem #8

Dec 011996

Tacoma

  • miles
Consumer stated the head gasket began to leak red fluid, it was determined that both head gakskets were cracked, consumer has since retured to the dealer on 3 other occasions complaing about an engine noise, consumer then learned that the head gasket was never replaced, consumer finally had the gasket replaced and the noise became even louder, consumer was informed that after head gasket work is performed that potential for later damage was common.

- Loretto, PA, USA

problem #7

Apr 011997

Tacoma 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Defective head gasket leads to engine failure - Toyota will not address failure but will replace head gaskets.

- Loretto, PA, USA

problem #6

Apr 011997

Tacoma 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tapping noise in engine has been going on since 4-12-97. Consumer found out that head gasket was blown, and other problems had been happening, Toyota has not been assisting consumer with any of the vehicles issues, a defective head gasket was not replaced as it should have been, and from one Toyota dealer to the next has found more and more problems. Toyota stated they will not cover head gasket problem regardless ofthe past problem.. consumer states since head gasket was done the exhaust studs were tightened due to the engine making noise, it sounds like valve rapping, thumbing noise over bumps at left floor area, rear springs were broken and noise from front end and also noise at idle.

- Leretto, PA, USA

problem #5

Mar 081997

Tacoma 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine head gasket failed.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 011996

Tacoma

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Head gasket failed.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 271997

(reported on)

Tacoma

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Head gasket defective.

- Valley Cen, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 251997

(reported on)

Tacoma 4WD

  • miles
Engine gasket failure.

- Clinton, TN, USA

problem #1

Oct 031996

Tacoma

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While the vehicle was parked an engine coolant leak developed due to a blown head gasket.

- Burkley, CA, USA

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