1996 Toyota Tercel

The 1996 Toyota Tercel is a subcompact car that was available with two engine options: a 1.3-liter inline-four and a 1.5-liter inline-four. Both engines were paired with a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. The Tercel was praised for its fuel efficiency, affordability, and reliability, but it was criticized for its lack of power and poor handling.

Engine

1.3-liter Inline-Four

• Blown Head Gasket: Symptoms include overheating, white smoke from the exhaust, and coolant leaks. Solution: Replace the head gasket. Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1,200+
• Cracked Cylinder Head: Symptoms include overheating, loss of coolant, and white smoke from the exhaust. Solution: Replace the cylinder head. Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $1,500+
• Timing Belt Failure: Symptoms include a loud knocking noise from the engine, loss of power, and stalling. Solution: Replace the timing belt. Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+

1.5-liter Inline-Four

• Valve Stem Seal Failure: Symptoms include excessive oil consumption and blue smoke from the exhaust. Solution: Replace the valve stem seals. Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800+

Transmission

Four-Speed Automatic Transmission

• Slipping Gears: Symptoms include difficulty shifting gears, delayed engagement, and a whining noise. Solution: Replace the transmission or rebuild the existing one. Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500+

Five-Speed Manual Transmission

• Synchronizer Wear: Symptoms include difficulty shifting gears and a grinding noise. Solution: Replace the synchronizers. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+

Suspension

• Strut Mount Failure: Symptoms include clunking noises from the suspension, poor handling, and tire wear. Solution: Replace the strut mounts. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+
• Sway Bar Link Failure: Symptoms include clunking noises from the suspension and poor handling. Solution: Replace the sway bar links. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+

Electrical

• Alternator Failure: Symptoms include a dimming dashboard, difficulty starting the engine, and a whining noise. Solution: Replace the alternator. Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
• Starter Failure: Symptoms include a clicking noise when trying to start the engine and no response from the engine. Solution: Replace the starter. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+
• Battery Failure: Symptoms include difficulty starting the engine, dimmed lights, and a clicking noise. Solution: Replace the battery. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+

Exterior

• Rust on Undercarriage: Symptoms include visible rust, weakened metal, and holes. Solution: Clean and treat the rust or replace affected parts. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+

Interior

• Seat Fabric Fading: Symptoms include discoloration and loss of color in the seat fabric. Solution: Replace the seat fabric or covers. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+

Summary

The 1996 Toyota Tercel is a reliable and fuel-efficient car, but it is not without its issues. The most common problems with the Tercel include engine head gasket failure, transmission slipping, and suspension strut mount failure. While these issues can be expensive to fix, they are not particularly severe and are relatively common for vehicles of this age. Overall, the Tercel is a good choice for budget-conscious consumers who need a reliable and affordable car.