1997 Toyota Tacoma

▲ Better than typical

1997 Toyota Tacoma
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:07:31.590Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1997: 131 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	177
1996	253
1997	131
1998	300
1999	249
2000	210
2001	396
2002	333
2003	359
2004	414
2005	707
2006	782
2007	540
2008	445
2009	518
2010	290
2011	183
2012	294
2013	124
2014	92
2015	100
2016	323
2017	237
2018	199
2019	209
2020	85
2021	76
2022	55
2023	48
2024	138
2025	69
2026	5

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 15%

15% of complaints: structure — 19 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TOOK VEHICLE TO CURRY HONDA TO HAVE PART INSTALLED AND THEY PERFORMED MULTI POINT INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION FOUND FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE,AND AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180423

I BOUGHT THIS PICK UP FROM WILSON TOYOTA,(AMES,IA), ON JAN.17,2009.IN THE WALK AROUND/INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE TALKING WITH THE SALESMAN I LAYED ON THE GROUND,AND CRAWLED UNDER THE PICK UP LOOKING FOR ANY SIGNS OF TROUBLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171121

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120425

STRUCTURE 12%

12% of complaints: structure — 16 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 11%

11% of complaints: suspension — 14 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

Whenâs he start and you get gas it won turn off but donât do it , and whend I hit a jump and I tuning he shake it wild

NHTSA ODI report, 20251103

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030320

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed