1997 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability
148 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1997 Toyota Tacoma, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 17/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 158,500 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1997 Toyota Tacoma has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 1997 sits among all Tacoma years
What owners report
“1997 tacoma frame rust at leading edge of rear axle leaf springs allowed the leaf springs to become detached from the vehicle rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. The shoulder lap seat belts do not recoil.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Tacoma
“Vehicle's suspension is unstable, design does not include rear sway bar and the shocks absorbers are inadequate.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Tacoma
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 62 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 143,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 100,000 and 186,500 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
Fix: 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.
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…
Fix: 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.
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…
Fix: 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.
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…
Fix: 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.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1997 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
The 1997 Toyota Tacoma drew 148 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 17/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 1997 Toyota Tacoma problems?
The top reported problems for the 1997 Toyota Tacoma are body & structure (46 complaints), suspension (26), and wheels & tires (18).
At what mileage do 1997 Toyota Tacoma problems show up?
Owners most often report 1997 Toyota Tacoma problems around 143,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 100,000 and 186,500 miles.
Does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 1997 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.