1997 Model Year

Toyota Tacoma

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
131
Recalls
0
Crashes
13
Severe
21

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Mar 2025

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
Mar 2021

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...

Structure
Oct 2020

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...

Structure
Sep 2020

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 D...

Suspension
Jul 2020

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

Structure
Oct 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE DRIVE...

Structure
Sep 2018

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 T...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 2018

RECENTLY PURCHASED 97 TOYOTA TACOMA FROM PRIVATE OWNER WHO CLAIMS HE NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING THE FRAME WARRANTY EXTENSION FROM TOYO...

Structure
Apr 2018

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...

Steering
Feb 2018

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 AGAI...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1997 Toyota Tacoma has 131 complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Structure. 13 crash-related incidents have been reported.

Complaint Trend