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1997 Toyota TacomaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 131 owner complaints about the 1997 Toyota Tacoma, most often about the structure. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

66
CarFlaw IndexSolid year47% below the Tacoma median · #26 of 30 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints13121 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage159kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 3, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Toyota Tacoma has problems

131 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure460
Suspension241
Tires143
Seat belts111
Power train91
Vehicle speed control62
Air bags55
Service brakes, hydraulic52
Wheels41
9 other systems131

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 Toyota Tacoma recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do structure problems start?

159kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 34 structure complaints. 15% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 44% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles5under 100k miles29100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Tacoma year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tacoma median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Toyota Tacoma safety ratings

1997 Toyota Tacoma in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Tacoma owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11359783 · Sep 18, 2020 · 172,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11344330 · Aug 10, 2020 · 172,774 miles
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…
Complaint 11277282 · Oct 31, 2019 · 105,000 miles

Own a 1997 Tacoma?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.