VehicleVerdict

1997 Toyota Tacoma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1997 Toyota Tacoma is among the quieter years of the Tacoma on NHTSA's books: 148 complaints (51% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 46 reports (31% of the total).

148

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Tacoma years?

Tacoma NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted977 complaints1995: 214 complaints1996: 321 complaints1997: 148 complaints1998: 358 complaints1999: 303 complaints2000: 274 complaints2001: 504 complaints2002: 443 complaints2003: 479 complaints2004: 545 complaints2005: 871 complaints2006: 977 complaints2007: 676 complaints2008: 556 complaints2009: 612 complaints2010: 343 complaints2011: 226 complaints2012: 406 complaints2013: 169 complaints2014: 133 complaints2015: 140 complaints2016: 416 complaints2017: 318 complaints2018: 275 complaints2019: 299 complaints2020: 124 complaints2021: 113 complaints2022: 77 complaints2023: 65 complaints2024: 182 complaints2025: 89 complaints2026: 10 complaints
Tacoma NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tacoma years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Toyota Tacoma problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure4631%
Suspension2618%
Tires & Wheels1812%
Seat Belts117%
Transmission96%
Brakes75%
Other75%
Speed Control64%
Airbags53%
Steering53%
Fuel System21%
Engine21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Lighting11%
Electrical System11%

Does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

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.

Consequence

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

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.

Consequence

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

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.

Consequence

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I HAVE A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, I DISCOVERED FRAME ROT IN FRONT OF THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES. THERE WAS STILL UNDERBODY PAINT ON THE FRAME IN THAT AREA WHICH WHEN REMOVED REVEALED THE SERIOUS CORROSION OF THE FRAME RAIL. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND SEVERE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE BUMPER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 16, 2007

“WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE AND THE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER, THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*AK. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE VEHICLE.*JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 16, 2002 · crash

“ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRES P21570R14, DOT WTHYAWA, TOYOTA TAKOMA, EXTEND CAB 1997. PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT WHEN TURNING A CORNER. *AK DUE TO THE TIRE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, WENT INTO A DITCH AND HIT A STUMP, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INURIES BECAUSE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 20, 1999 · crash

“ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRES P21570R14, DOT WTHYAWA, TOYOTA TAKOMA, EXTEND CAB 1997. PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT WHEN TURNING A CORNER. *AK DUE TO THE TIRE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, WENT INTO A DITCH AND HIT A STUMP, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INURIES BECAUSE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 20, 1999 · crash

“DATE OF PURCHASE TOYOTA OF SOMERSET REPORTED THIS WAS A SECOND BUYER. THEY REPORTED A LADY HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE. THROUGH CARFAX I FOUND ME TO BE THE 5TH OWNER. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE WARRANTY INFORMATION IN WITH THE MANUAL INFORMATION. THEY DID NOT SUPPLY THIS AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND HAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2000 · crash

1997 Toyota Tacoma — common questions

Is the 1997 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 148 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Tacoma year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Tacoma problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (46 complaints), suspension (26 complaints), tires & wheels (18 complaints).

Does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Tacoma years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tacoma years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among Tacoma years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.