1997 Toyota TACOMA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005707 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
FOGGING INSIDE WINDSHIELD DURING HEATER/DEFROST OPERATION. SOMETIME FOGGING WITHOUT OPERATING HEATER/DEFROST CONTROLS. A/C WILL NOT CLEAR WINDSHIELD OR SIDE WINDOWS.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012198 · 2003-03-20 (March 20, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012199 · 2003-03-20 (March 20, 2003)
WHILE THE CONSUMER CHANGED A FLAT TIRE THE WHEEL STUD BROKE OFF. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012199 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 ↗
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 10059438 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
CONSUMER HAD LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARDRAIL AT A HIGH SPEED. UPON THE COLLISION, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *LA (LAWYER MARY SPEEDY HAJDU ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER KENNETH C. MILLER) *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059438 at NHTSA ↗
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 10106036 · 2005-01-10 (January 10, 2005)
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5, 4WD EXTRA CAB. I RECENTLY NOTICED THE BED OF MY TRUCK WAS SAGGING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAF SPRING IS BROKEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN TO MY TRUCK. I DO NOT HAVE A TOWING HITCH ON MY TRUCK THEREFORE, I DO NOT TOW HEAVY LOADS OR ANY LOADS FOR THAT MATTER. I DO NOT PUT HEAVY LOADS IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK. I DON NOT USE MY TRUCK FOR HAULING THINGS. I HAVE NEVER INSTALLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,845 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106036 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.