Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure:body — runs 5.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
131Complaints
4Recalls
13Crashes
0Fires
9Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Structure:body (14.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Structure:body complaints here are 5.7× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Structure:body
19 · 14.5%
No official action
—
Structure:frame And Members
16 · 12.2%
No official action
—
Suspension
14 · 10.7%
No official action
—
Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields
9 · 6.9%
No official action
—
Tires
7 · 5.3%
No official action
—
Seat Belts:front:retractor
7 · 5.3%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE:BODY19 · 14.5%
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS16 · 12.2%
SUSPENSION14 · 10.7%
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS9 · 6.9%
TIRES7 · 5.3%
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR7 · 5.3%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT6 · 4.6%
Unspecified / other6 · 4.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4 · 3.1%
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY4 · 3.1%
Percentages are the share of the 131 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11277282 — filed 10/31/2019 · STRUCTURE:BODY
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11089723 — filed 04/23/2018 · STRUCTURE:BODY
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11047712 — filed 11/21/2017 · STRUCTURE:BODY
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota Tacoma?
Structure:body issues are the most-reported category, cited in 19 of 131 NHTSA complaints (14.5%), followed by structure:frame and members (16), suspension (14), structure:frame and members:underbody shields (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma have?
131 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 13 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E049000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Toyota Tacoma's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
Install CarModelProblemsAdd it to your home screen for one-tap access — no app store.
Install CarModelProblemsTap Share, then Add to Home Screen.