41 complaints reported

1997 Toyota Tacoma Structure

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
41
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

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 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2020
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 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2020
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 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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2019
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 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2018
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 UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE,AND AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE. CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTATION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2018
Nov 2017

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2017
Feb 2017

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2017
May 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2016
Sep 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2015
Jun 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ MA 10/22/2015 UPDATED 10/31/2017*CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2015
Nov 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRAMES WERE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE FRAMES WERE RUSTING AND FALLING APART. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2014
May 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE DEALER APPLIED AN ANTI-RUST COATING BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 307,700.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2011
Oct 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER FOUND CORROSION ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE FRAME AND THE SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,518.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2013
Oct 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BUMPER WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A WINDSHIELD WIPER REPAIR AND THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NO LONGER BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. UPDATED 01/23/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED PEALING WAFERS OF RUST FLAKING OFF THE FRAME, IN JANUARY 2011. PRIOR TO 2011, HE NOTICED RUST COMING THROUGH THE CHROME OF THE REAR BUMPER WHERE IT CONNECTED TO THE FRAME AND YEARS PRIOR TO THAT HE NOTICED INCREASED RUST TEXTURE ON THE FRAME WHEN HE LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK BED AT THE REAR TIRES. UPDATED 01/31/13

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2011
Aug 2013

MY TRUCK WAS BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION AFTER THE FRAME ROT RECALL AT PARKWAY TOYOTA AT 50 SYLVAN AVE ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS NJ IN JULY 2008. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD US THE FRAME WAS SAFE THOUGH THERE WAS SOME SURFACE RUST. IT WAS DEEMED NO REPAIR NECESSARY. NOW IN APRIL OF 2013 MY TRUCK NEEDED A TUNE UP AND AFTER THAT WAS DONE WE WERE TOLD THEY SPOTTED POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CORROSION OF THE FRAME. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A BODY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE THE FRAME IS DANGEROUSLY ROTTED AND IS NOT REPAIRABLE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD US THEY WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TRUCK. I BELIEVE WHEN I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT MY TRUCK IN TO BE INSPECTED FOR RUST THEY MISSED THE EARLY STAGES OF FRAME ROT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AT THAT TIME AND THEREFORE SHOULD HONOR THE FRAME WARRANTY EXTENSION ISSUED IN THE RECALL. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2008
Aug 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2013
Mar 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WELD A MUFFLER ONTO HIS VEHICLE, THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF YOU PULL ON THE FRAME, IT FELL APART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WAS EXPIRED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 122,500. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2013
Oct 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING HIS TIRES REPLACED, AS THE MECHANIC LIFTED THE VEHICLE THE FRAME BENT SEVERELY DUE TO RUST. THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO WORK ON IT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT APPEARED THE FRAME COULD SPLIT IN HALF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 212,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2012
Sep 2012

MY HUSBAND HAS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. HE BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN 2004. RECENTLY HE SAW THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH WAS RUSTED AND ROTTING OUT. SOMEONE TOLD HIM THAT TOYOTA WAS TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEIR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. WELL, THEY TOLD US TAT WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE IN BY FEBRUARY TO RECEIVE THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE WERE NEVER CONTACTED BY TOYOTA, THEY DO NOT HAVE US AS THE CURRENT OWNER AND MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER 5 OR SO YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE. 15 YEARS SHOULD BE UP IN DECEMBER, BUT THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE GOING BY THE DATE IT WAS SOLD OR SOMETHING. THIS VEHICLE IS PRACTICALLY UNDRIVABLE AND TOYOTA BASICALLY SAID OH, WELL, YOU WERE TOO LATE. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB CONTACTING THEIR CUSTOMERS AND I HAVE FOUND EVIDENCE OF MANY OTHER DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS ON THE INTERNET WHO ALSO WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND WHO ALSO MISSED THE DEADLINE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT, AND IF IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF REGARDLESS OF WEATHER WE BROUGHT IT IN 9 MONTHS AGO OR TODAY. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO LEEWAY IN THIS AND THAT THERE WAS NO ELSE I COULD TAKE THIS ISSUE UP WITH. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2012
Apr 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THERE WERE HOLES IN THE CROSS MEMBER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED TWO MONTHS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2012
Jan 2012

FOUND OUT I HAVE A WHOLE IN THE BODY FRAME. *TT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2012
Dec 2010

FRAME RUST HOLES EXCESSIVE SWISS CHEESE LOOK. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2007
Mar 2010

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT TOYOTA HAS AN INSPECTION AND REPAIR PROGRAM FOR 1995 TO 2000 TACOMAS. I HAVE REQUESTED AN INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE. THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ME ANY ANSWER TO MY REQUEST. THEIR ATTITUDE IS THAT RUST IS NOT AN ISSUE IN CALIFORNIA. THEY THINK THAT RUST STOPS AT THE BORDER. ALL THAT I ASKED FOR WAS A SIMPLE INSPECTION SO THAT RUST THRU WARRANTY CAN BE APPLIED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2010
Feb 2010

THIS CONCERNS THE TOYOTA RUSTY FRAME PROBLEM IN TACOMAS. MY 1997 TACOMA IS BECOMING DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE FRAME BUT TOYOTA REFUSES ANY HELP BECAUSE OF A RECONSTRUCTED TITLE WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RUSTY FRAME PROBLEM. AS A TAXPAYER I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA ADDRESS THIS AT THE CURRENT CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS. TOYOTA IS BASICALLY USING A LEGAL LOOPHOLE TO LEAVE DANGEROUS VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2010
May 2009

I OWN A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT SHOULD FALL INTO THEIR RUSTY FRAME RECALL BUT WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T QUALIFY BECAUSE OF A REBUILT TITLE. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 YEARS SINCE THE REBUILD. THE FRAME IS VERY RUSTY AND I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT WELDED. IT SEEMS TO ME THE FRAME RUST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THE TRUCK WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE RECALL SHOULD BE IN EFFECT, PROBABLY WITH A LOWER REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE SALVAGE TITLE. IF THE POINT IS TO GET UNSAFE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD, A RUSTY FRAME IS A RUSTY FRAME WHETHER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN REBUILT OR NOT. IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY NICE TRUCK EXCEPT FOR THE FRAME. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2008

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 1997 Toyota Tacoma has 41 Structure complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.