1997 Toyota TACOMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
101 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
149,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 57 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 101 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 19 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 16 |
| Suspension | 12 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 9 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 |
Structure:Body: 19; Structure:Frame And Members: 16; Suspension: 12; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 9; Tires: 6; Tires:Tread/Belt: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 28 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 28
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (28). 44 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 13; 2001: 6; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 11; 2008: 8; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2012: 5; 2013: 7; 2014: 6; 2015: 6; 2016: 7; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10091946 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL. THEN, ONCE THE SAFETY INSPECTION FAILED BECAUSE O F THE RACK AND PINION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10516071 · 2013-06-10 (June 10, 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,518 miles reported. Look up ODI 10516071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220483 · 2008-03-09 (March 9, 2008)
1997 TOYOTA TACOMA EXTENDED CAB V6 4WD I HAD MY TRUCK IN MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR NEW PLUGS AND WIRES AND A FAULTY INJECTOR. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND SAID THAT WHEN THEY HOISTED THE TRUCK UP ON THE LIFT THEY DISCOVERED SEVERE RUSTING ON THE FRAME. THE WORST WAS JUST FORWARD OF THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS. THEY SAID IT WAS SO BAD THAT THEY WONDERED IF I WANTED TO PROCEED WITH THE SERVICING. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! I THOUGHT, THE TRUCK IS ONLY 10YEARS OLD, HOW BAD CAN IT BE. I WENT UP AND TOOK A LOOK AND THE RUST HAD ACTUALLY EATEN THROUG…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10220483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863008 · 2000-06-05 (June 5, 2000)
FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED ON 1-20-94. BUT THE CHECK VALVE WAS NEVER REPLACED. DEALER WHO REPAIRED VEHICLE WAS INSISTING THAT VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED CORRECTLY. DEALER WAS GIVING CONSUMER HARD TIME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863008 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029853 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES HAS PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10123797 · 2005-06-01 (June 1, 2005)
1 PARKED WITH TRUCK IN 1ST GEAR 2 TRUCK CAME OUT OF GEAR 2 TIMES. I STOPED THE TRUCK 1 TIME, A TREE STOPPED IT THE 2ND TIME. 1 YEAR LATER, THE TRUCK POPS INTO NUTURAL WHILE DRIVING. I PUT IT BACK IN GEAR, I SOMETIMES HOLD THE SHIFTER TO KEEP IT IN GEAR. 3 I HAVE NOT TRYED TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I ALWAYS SET THE PARKING BREAK.
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10123797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026435 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
THE IGNITION REMAINED RUNNING AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE STARTER ENGAGED WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED ON, BUT AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED, THE STARTER CONTINUED TO CRANK UNTIL THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THIS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE STARTER STAYED LOCKED IN AND CRANKED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, BUT THE STARTER CONTINUED TO RUN. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026435 at NHTSA ↗