Toyota Tacoma 1996 - Power train - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Toyota Tacoma 1996

Technical Service Bulletins
Consumer Complaints

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
DL00203	08/06/2003	10003561	Rear axle seal design change. *tt	10/23/2003
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
TC00599	07/23/1999	608124	Information to minimize clutch pedal squeaking noise when depressing or releasing the clutch pedal. *tt	03/28/2000
TC00599	07/23/1999	6082124	Information on minimizing clutch pedal squeaking noise when depressing or releasing the clutch pedal on vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. *tt	11/05/1999
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
DL00199	08/27/1999	610052	This bulletin provides the location of the grease fittings for the propeller shaft joints as well as the type of grease to use with each fitting location. *tt	04/14/2000
DL00199	08/27/1999	6088659	This service bulletin provides the location of the grease fittings for the propeller shaft joints. *tt	12/29/1999

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
POWER TRAIN
01/01/1996		3	12/20/1995
	Transmission noisy in third gear, suspension pops on rough roads, and speedometer makes clicking noise.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12/23/2000		1	05/01/2000
	Throttle valve cable broke during normal use of the truck. noticed a change in transmission function and the vehicle would shift too soon and was not able to speed up normally. the transmission would shift from first to third gear at 10mph and then to 4th gear at 30 mph. it would bypass 2nd gear so i had to shift it manually in order to acheive a speedy enough start to get on the freeway. also occurred in my brothers 96 tacoma about 4 months ago and it seems to me that it is too much of a coincidence for it to be occurring in the same model and year truck almost at the same time. took it in for repair and the cable was rusted so it seems like it is exposed somewhere in the engine thus causing it to get weathered and break. repairs were over $300 dollars at dealership and i think it should have been covered under some warranty since it seems like that part should have had a housing to protect it from being weathered and rusted. i believe that many people are having to go through this same thing with this same model and year truck since it happened twice in the same family here. *ak
12/25/1998		2	05/01/1998
	My truck experiences severe transmision noise when i apply brakes, came to a stop and then proceed.a noticeable clunking noise took place as if the transmission was broken.also my front tires wore excessively on the heels, and i was told by the dealer that the front end was misaligned. ofcourse i paid for a front end alignment but it didnt help the vehicle from shaking at speeds of 55+mph.also , the front suspension shimmies, shakes, and rattles over minor road imperfections. i feel like the steering wheel is telling me this vehicle is unsafe. i have never had an accident, and my vehicle is still under warranty. can someone offer help or advice? thomas j finley. *ak( dot number: )
		1
	Transmission failed.

	Owner states that his powertrain comes out of 4 wheel drive while driving, is very concerned about this problem. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

	When going into fifth gear stick shift becomes shaky and is difficult to drive.dealership has tried to fix the problem to no avail. *ak
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
04/28/1997		2
	Transmission clutch cylinder and clutch bushing failed.*et
01/06/1997		1	10/13/1996
	Clutch assembly replaced, also transmission disc assembley replaced due to loss of all gears except fourth.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
03/14/2010	100000
	Ref: nhtsa 96e00100 ref: toyota referred recall website jan 03, 1996 \| recall id# 39110 - recall reason vehicle speed control recall date jan 03, 1996 model affected tacoma potential units affected 5145 recall summary; these cruise control systems fail to hold the speed set by the driver and can accelerate above the intended set speed. consequence; unintended acceleration can increase the potential for a vehicle accident. remedy; dealers will replace these cruise control assemblies. notes: rostra precision controls this is currently happening with my 1996 toyota tacoma. teice it accellerated to over 90 mph while on a recent trip to another state. it now drops out repidly at any speed after 1/2 mile or so, and the cc light blinks constantly. i've called toyota about this problem (please note: this evidently has been hapening sonce 1996!!!) and they refuse to honor the recall. can you help get my vehicle returned to a safe to drive state where the cruise control is no longer a safety issue? i've had the dropping out problem since i bought the vehicle, but thought it was because the unit was under powered. now that it's speeding up, i learned just recently that it's defective and toyota knew about it!! thank you, phil hontz goldpnr@yahoo.com
01/01/1996		3	12/20/1995
	Transmission noisy in third gear, suspension pops on rough roads, and speedometer makes clicking noise.
01/06/1997		1	10/13/1996
	At approximately 60 mph, heard a thud sound and lost all gears except for 4th gear.
11/22/1996		1	05/27/1996
	Transmission gear shift slips.
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
05/10/2003	30000	2
	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. jb