1996 Toyota Camry XV10

Overview

Engines

2.2L four-cylinder, 3.0L V6, aluminum

Came as

• Sedan
• Wagon
• Coupe

On record

2 warnings, 2 recalls

What changed for 1996

• The 2.2L is detuned to 125 hp for tighter emissions rules and gains a crank angle sensor for a smoother idle. New DX seat fabric, a leather package for the LE sedan, and a power driver's seat in the wagon. Edmunds, a published reference

Compare 1996 with 1995

Colors

• Diamond White Pearl on Soft Gray Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial)28Y, 1996
• Ruby Pearl3L3, 1996
• Shadow Plum Pearl An owners' registry (unofficial)927, 1996
• Classic Green Pearl6P2, 1996
• Platinum Metallic1A0, 1994–1996

Interiors

• OakCloth, 1993–1996

Sources: Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Interiors in the generation, years not known: Gray (Cloth) Toyota, Blue (Cloth) Toyota, Taupe (Cloth) Toyota, Gray (Leather) Toyota, Oak (Leather) Toyota, Blue (Leather) Toyota

Specs

Engines

• 2.2L four-cylinder 5S-FE engine page A published reference

  130 hp, 125 hp for 1996

• 3.0L V6, aluminum 1MZ-FE engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  188 hp · 1994–1996

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual A published reference
• Automatic Edmunds, a published reference

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Body styles

• Sedan A published reference
• Wagon Edmunds, a published reference
• Coupe (1994–1996) Edmunds, a published reference

Trims

• DX Toyota, Edmunds
• LE Toyota, Edmunds
• XLE Toyota, a published reference
• SE Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

• Leather seats Toyota, Edmunds
• Anti-lock brakes Edmunds
• Third-row seat A published reference

Figures for the whole 3rd gen

• Model codes: SXV10 (four), VCV10 (3VZ-FE V6) and MCV10 (1MZ-FE V6, North America only) A published reference
• Built: Georgetown, Kentucky, from September 3, 1991 to June 1996 A published reference
• Awards: Car and Driver's Ten Best for 1992 and 1993 A published reference
• Crash tests: NHTSA frontal: four stars for the driver and three for the passenger (1994–1996). IIHS frontal offset: Acceptable A published reference
• Airbags: Driver's only until 1993; dual front airbags from 1994 Edmunds, a published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Oil leaks All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look under the car and around the engine for oil, and ask what has been resealed.

  In the comments under Curbside Classic's 1992–1996 article, an unofficial source, two owners of wagons report oil leaks and a third an oil leak with timing belt and check-engine light work; ten of the 38 owners report a problem of some kind, among them engine mount failure and a failed 2.2L. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Worn CV joints and boots All years

  Check: Look at the drive shaft boots for tears and thrown grease, and listen for clicking on full-lock turns.

  Jalopnik's writer needed new CV joints on a 1996, and a commenter under Curbside Classic's article reports a torn CV boot. Jalopnik, owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 1995–1998 Recall 99V307000

  The steering wheel nut may be loose, causing steering vibration and play. NHTSA

• 1996 Recall 96V037000

  The tail lamp bulb holders can deform from the heat of the bulb. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  The 1996, and the V6 All years

  Jalopnik calls this the best Camry ever, tough and roomy, with about 190 hp in the V6. Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, suggests the 1996 may be the best Camry of all, and singles out the V6, the wagon, the 1994 coupe and the rare 1995–1996 V6 XLE with leather. Jalopnik, Curbside Classic

• Sought after

  Long-lived, by owners' accounts All years

  One source so far

  Owners in the comments under Curbside Classic's 1992–1996 article, an unofficial source: of 38 commenters who owned one, 22 praise how long theirs lasted, with cars past 390,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Watch for

  A bare base car All years

  Less sought after One source so far

  Jalopnik calls the base model sparsely equipped, with little more than seats, air conditioning and a cassette player. Jalopnik

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.