1997 Toyota Tacoma

Routine

Owners filed 131 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure › body. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
149,000 milesMedian miles at failure

57 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure › Body19
000
Structure › Frame and Members16
000
Suspension10
000
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields8
000
Tires7
203
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor7
000
Unknown or Other6
000
Tires › Tread/Belt6
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
201
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly4
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Nov 3, 2025FL

When’s he start and you get gas it won turn off but don’t do it , and whend I hit a jump and I tuning he shake it wild

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 3, 2021OR

It appears to be the clear coat of the paint job has been coming off for a very long time. Really does not look good at all now. I reside in the state of Oregon. Although it rains a fair amount here, that should not cause this rate of decay of the paint job. It was not painted very well!!

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 18, 2020172,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SMITHTOWN TOYOTA DEALER LOCATED AT 360 JERICHO TURNPIKE, SMITHTOWN, NY 11787. WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Aug 10, 2020172,774 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FRIEND TOLD HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,774.

Suspension
Filed Jul 13, 2020200,000 milesSC

MY LEE SPRINGS ARE RUSTED FRAME IS TO LEE'S SPRINGS ARE BROKEN

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 31, 2019105,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME AREA WAS CORRODED AND HAD HOLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PERFORMED A REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE FRAME UNDERCOATING FOR 1995 TO 2005 TACOMA VEHICLES, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE CORROSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.*PM CONSUMER STATED FRAME WAS ONCE COATED IN 2011, NOW PEELING AND CORRODED.*JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 18, 2018120,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE MUFFLER REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME. THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF LOUISVILLE, 6514 DIXIE HWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40258) STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FRAME EXPIRED ON JULY 31, 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 19, 2018NY

RECENTLY PURCHASED 97 TOYOTA TACOMA FROM PRIVATE OWNER WHO CLAIMS HE NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING THE FRAME WARRANTY EXTENSION FROM TOYOTA AND SUBSEQUENTLY HE NEVER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. NOW THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND I NOTIFIED TOYOTA WHO CLAIMS THE EXTENSION EXPIRED AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME, HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE BY SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALLOWING UNSAFE VEHICLES TO STAY ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY ANYMORE $ THEN THEY HAVE TO. MEANWHILE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE FRAME ISSUE WAS CLEARLY THEIR FAULT. PLEASE HELP

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 23, 2018181,747 milesCT

TOOK VEHICLE TO CURRY HONDA TO HAVE PART INSTALLED AND THEY PERFORMED MULTI POINT INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION FOUND FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE,AND AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE. CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTATION.

Steering
Filed Feb 25, 20183,000 milesAZ

THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MAKING NOISES 7 MONTHS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. DEALER TOOK THE DASH OUT, REPLACED SOMETHING AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN. 7 MONTHS LATER THE SOUND BEGAN AGAIN. THREE LETTERS TO TOYOTA COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WERE TOTALLY IGNORED. I VISITED THE DEALER IN TUCSON, AZ ABOUT THIS AND I WANTED THE PROBLEM SOLVED AT TOYOTA EXPENSE. AGAIN I WAS PUT OFF AND THE RATTLE HAS PERSISTED TO THIS DAY. I AM TIRED OF LISTENING TO THIS RATTLE EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE TRUCK. IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME GET THE TOYOTA FOLKS TO REPAIR, REPLACE OR PUT A GREASE FITTING ON THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN THE COLUMN, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 21, 2017IA

I BOUGHT THIS PICK UP FROM WILSON TOYOTA,(AMES,IA), ON JAN.17,2009.IN THE WALK AROUND/INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE TALKING WITH THE SALESMAN I LAYED ON THE GROUND,AND CRAWLED UNDER THE PICK UP LOOKING FOR ANY SIGNS OF TROUBLE. NOTING THE FRAME PROBLEMS I'D HAD WITH ANOTHER TOYOTA(1984) ASKED IF TOYOTA HAD "CLEANED" UP THEIR ACT AND MADE THE UNDER CARRIAGE ANY BETTER? WAS ASSURED "THAT THOSE PROBLEMS WERE ALL BEHIND THEM".FAST FORWARD ^ YEARS I'M PAYING A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO REPLACE THE REAR 60% OF THE FRAME @ A COST OF $1800.00.NOW I FIND I'M HAVING TO FIX/REPLACE PARTS OF THE FRONT END FRAME.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 17, 2017240,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A PART OF THE FRAME WAS MISSING DUE TO EXTREME RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V013000 (SUSPENSION) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ *AS

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 21, 2017WV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 10, 2016TX

THE TRUCK HAD BEEN RIDING ROUGHER ON THE ROADS WHEN FAMILY FOLLOWING ONE DAY NOTICED THE TRUCK LEANING LEFT. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THINKING IT WAS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. IT ENDED UP BEING MAJOR RUST AND CORROSION TO THE FRAME THAT WAS SO BAD THERE WAS NO STRUCTURAL SUPPORT OF THE STRUTS AND SPRINGS. OWNER OF THE AUTO SHOP AS WELL AS A BODY REPAIR SHOP IT WAS TAKEN TO SAID I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THERE WAS NO WRECK OR INJURY. THE PROBLEMS ARE SO EXTENSIVE THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A TOYOTA TRUCK THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED EASILY ANOTHER 100,000 MILES. THE FRAME WAS EXPECTED TO LAST LONGER THEN THE TRUCK WHEN PURCHASED AS TOYOTA USED TO BE A GOOD COMPANY AND PRODUCT. MY FIRST TRUCK WAS A TOYOTA BACK IN 1976. THERE WAS A RECALL THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THE PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL IMPACT THIS HAS CAUSED IS SIGNIFICANT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE RESTITUTION AS EVIDENCE INDICATES IT HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING PROBLEM WITH CHEAPER/INFERIOR FRAMES USED BY TOYOTA GOING BACK SEVERAL YEARS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 188,000, BUT THE PROBLEMS HAS EXISTED FOR AWHILE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.

Suspension
Filed Oct 17, 2016210,000 milesWA

I HAVE RUSTY HOLES IN MY FRAME AND TOYOTA WONT FIX SOMETHING THAT IS SO DANGEROUS AND NOW MY TACOMA IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO NOW?!

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 8, 2016137,000 milesMO

1997 TACOMA FRAME RUST AT LEADING EDGE OF REAR AXLE LEAF SPRINGS ALLOWED THE LEAF SPRINGS TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SHOULDER LAP SEAT BELTS DO NOT RECOIL.

Suspension
Filed Aug 29, 2016232,828 milesKY

RECENTLY PURCHASE 1997 TACOMA TOOK IT TO REPLACE REAR TIRES SHOP INFORMED ME THE FRAME HAD MAJOR ROT AND IS NOT SAFE FOR HIGHWAY. CONTACTED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THEY PREFORMED A FREE INSPECTION ON 08-29-16 UPON COMPLETION OF THIS INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME BOTH IN WRITING AND VERBALLY THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR HIGHWAY USE. MULTIPLE RUST PERFORATIONS THROUGH OUT FRAME OF THIS TRUCK. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL ON THE FRAME HAD EXPIRED HOWEVER THEY STATED THAT IF WE FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA THROUGH YOUR ORGANIZATION THAT WE COULD POSSIBLILY GET A CASH SETTLEMENT FOR THIS TACOMA.

Suspension
Filed Aug 26, 2016189,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL, THE LEAF SPRINGS AND THE CHASSIS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE CORROSION BUY BACK PROGRAM WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

Structure › Body
Filed May 23, 2016160,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Suspension
Filed Jan 15, 2016208,000 milesMD

FRAME RUST. NOT MADE AWARE OF RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. FRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAS A HOLE WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER USE TO MOUNT. IT LITERALLY FELL OFF DUE TO RUST. SEVERAL OTHER AREAS SHOWING SIGNS OF CORROSION AS WELL. SEEMS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. NOT SURE IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.

20 of 131 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266000Routine
202596521Fatalities reported
2024148510Routine
202354410Routine
202258300Routine
202180001Fatalities reported
202087100Routine
2019218410Above average
2018203300Above average
2017239560Above average
2016323440Above average
2015101420Routine
201493410Routine
2013125660Routine
2012295700Above average
2011186962Fatalities reported
20102931370Above average
200951913180Above average
20084451164Fatalities reported
20075401092Fatalities reported
20067821170High concern
20057071040Above average
2004414530Above average
2003359510Above average
2002333530Above average
2001396644Fatalities reported
2000210520Above average
1999249510Above average
1998300501Fatalities reported
1997 — this page131400Routine
1996253612Fatalities reported
1995177631Fatalities reported

Compare every Tacoma year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.