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1996 Toyota T100 problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Toyota T100 is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 109,220 miles. It has 4.2 times the complaints of a typical T100 model year.

Typical year4.2x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
109
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
34
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
15-20mpg

The worst 1996 Toyota T100 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Toyota T100

Seat belt 7Adaptive cruise 5

Recalls 1

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connectingReported September 6, 2005 · 977,839 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the steering wheel is repeatedly turned under certain conditions where high steering effort and power assist are required, for instance, when fully turning the wheel while the vehicle is stopped, a fatigue crack may develop in the steering relay rod.
Risk
If the vehicle is continued to be operated in this condition, the relay rod may fracture, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the steering relay rod. The recall began october 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 05V389000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1996 Toyota T100

Defect investigations

Clutch pedal bracket/firewallOpened April 1, 2002, closed July 30, 2002

PE02039

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Toyota T100 34

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 34 bulletins for the 1996 Toyota T100

1996 Toyota T100 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.7L 4‑cylRWD17-1820-2318-20
3.4L 6‑cylRWD1519-2017
3.4L 6‑cyl4WD1517-1815-16

What 1996 Toyota T100 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 19, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 77,000 miles · VA

1996 toyota t100 with approx 77000 miles, rarely driven, garage kept and well cared for, cannot pass safety inspection due to unusual amount of rust on frame, control arms, underbody components, rear bumper. Am concerned if vehicle is in an accident, it will disintegrate and cause bodily injury or death to driver and passenger, or if structure fails while vehicle is in motion it can cause harm to other drivers/passengers. Toyota left this model out of the recall but these are the exact same issues reported with tacoma and tundra of same model year range. Truck would run forever if not for excessive rust. You can do better toyota, so do better.

Filed Oct 20, 2019 · Airbags · 63,471 miles · CA · 1 injury

My drivers side airbag deployed without any warning on saturday, october 19,2019. I was not involved in any accident or collision. The vehicle was already in the park position and the motor shutoff. I was pulling into my driveway with my son and beforei could remove my keys from the ignition and exit my truck, the airbag deployed, smacking me directly in my face. Im sure this was due to a malfunction of some kind because ive been owning this vehicle since 1996 and this has never happened. Normally if the airbags deploy the engine will not be able to start but in this situation my motor still turns on but its unsafe to even drive around with the deployed airbag dangling from the center of the steering wheel how it is. I use this car everyday for work but now im immobile due to this. Luckily I didnt suffer any bodily injuries more than puffiness on the leftside of my face and redness from the impact. My face did swell up a little and my left eye was pretty red and irritated. Something needs to be done about this because its definitely not safe. I never imagined that toyota would be dealing with this issue especially if my vehicle wasn't part of the recalls in the past years.

Filed Nov 14, 2018 · Body · 186,000 miles · NY

I am a owner of a 1996 toyota t100 with serious rust issues on my truck. I have been looking online and found that other owners have the same problems. There was a recall on other truck such as the tacoma. Why hasn't a recall been issued for the t100.

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · Suspension · 103,465 miles · NC

The frame is rusted and had to be patched once. The rest of the frame is rusting. The a arm on the driver's side rusted and broke and has been replaced. The shock absorber on the passenger side has rusted from the upper a arm area and has failed. The camber adjustment bar between the upper a arm and is in front of the torsion bar is rusted almost through. The fender wells of the bed on both sides are rusted through. These all present potential serious problems and hazards to ones well being. The tacomas and the tundras from these years were recalled, but I'm not sure why the t100's weren't recalled for the same reason. I would like to know why this is.

Filed May 21, 2015 · Body, Suspension · KY

The trucks under carraige is nothing but rust scary rusty , also the body especialy fender wells rust growing, rear bumber rusted off the truck nearly completely gone. Frame so rusty getting scared to tow a trailer. Great running has been a good one. Just don't understand the bad rust problem, I know the the smaller toyota trucks were recalled and replaced or bought out, whos to say the frames on these toyota t100 will not break also causing wreck and possible injury.

Filed Oct 11, 2014 · Seat belts · 200,000 miles · AR

Passenger seat belt locked up and would not retract. Person was in vehicle buckled up. Had to cut belt to get the person out.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Body · 98,462 miles · PA

Excessive rust on frame and bumper, mechanic has warned me that frame is headed for failure.

Filed Apr 26, 2014 · Body · MI

The whole under carriage of the truck is rusted and has been for a number of years. It started in 2003. Its really bad now, I found out that I could make a complaint here I didn't know that I could before. I know there wasn't a recall on the t100.

Filed Aug 10, 2013 · Body, Steering · 226,000 miles · ME

I was returning from a short trip and the driver's side control arm broke while traveling down the road at approx. 35 MPH. The frame, body and steering components are all riddled with rust. I have replaced numerous parts that had failed due to rust, including a fuel pump whose design trapped moisture and road salt on top of the fuel tank until fuel was leaking on the roadway. The rear bumper rusted off. Toyota trucks of similar type and year have been recalled because of similar problems, but not the 1996 t100. Toyota forums are filled with the same issue with this vehicle. I have owned this vehicle since it was brand new.toyota will not back this product.

Filed Nov 26, 2012 · Body · 151,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 toyota t100. The contact stated while traveling 15 MPH the vehicle hit a bump in the road and then a rubbing and clicking noise could be heard coming from the driver front wheel well. The vehicle then became difficult to steer. The contact merged to the side of the road. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that part of the frame was missing. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure and current mileage was 151,000. The VIN was not available.

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Questions about the 1996 Toyota T100

Is the 1996 Toyota T100 reliable?

Owners have filed 109 complaints about the 1996 Toyota T100, 4.2 times a typical T100 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Toyota T100?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 26 complaints, typically around 109,220 miles. Next is body (25).

How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota T100 have?

1 recall, covering steering.

What year does the Toyota T100 have bad transmission?

The Toyota T100 model years with the most transmission complaints are 1996 (26 complaints), 1995 (22 complaints) and 1997 (18 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Toyota T100 get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Toyota T100 range from 15 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.7L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17-18 city and 20-23 highway.

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