1996 Toyota Camry Service and Repair Manual

Two very different engines wore the Camry badge in 1996 — the 2.2L four (5S-FE) and the 3.0L V6 (1MZ-FE) — and they do not share clearances, torque figures or service intervals. Which one is in front of you changes the answer to almost every specification question on the car, and the 1996 figures are not interchangeable with the ones Toyota published for adjacent model years.

Engines

• 2.2L 2164CC l4 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated
• 3.0L 3000CC V6 GAS Naturally Aspirated

Trims

• DX, 2D Coupe, Automatic
• DX, 2D Coupe, Standard
• DX, 4D Sedan, Automatic
• DX, 4D Sedan, Standard
• LE, 2D Coupe
• LE, 4D Sedan
• LE, 4D Wagon
• SE, 2D Coupe
• SE, 4D Sedan
• XLE

Known issues on the 1996 Camry. Two recalls are on federal record for this model year, both filed under exterior lighting: headlights, and both against aftermarket lamps sold for the car rather than against equipment Toyota fitted at the factory. The first covers 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models, sold by K2 Motor for use on the vehicles listed in the recall; the lamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector, and without those reflectors the lighting visibility may be affected. The second covers 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers, sold by DOPE, Inc. as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles, where decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash. Owners have filed 567 complaints against the 1996 Camry, and 34 technical service bulletins are on record for it.

Whether you are chasing an exterior lighting fault or working through a routine service interval, the correct procedure and the correct specification depend on which of the two engines and which body style you have.