1997 TOYOTA TACOMA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

148

Owner Complaints

16 Crashes

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

8

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA

The 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA has received a total of 148 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structurebody (19 complaints), Structureframe And Members (16 complaints), and Suspension (14 complaints).

Recalls for the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, potentially affecting up to 147,930 vehicles.

Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 42,540 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

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Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

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Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 27,176 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

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Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 61,944 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

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Owner Complaints for the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA

148 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Structurebody
Complaints: 19
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 16
Suspension
Complaints: 14
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 9
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 7
Tires
Complaints: 7 2 Crashes 3 Injuries
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 6
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 6
Suspensionrearspringsleaf Spring Assembly
Complaints: 4
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 4 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 1 Injury
Air Bags
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 2
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Seat Belts
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Steering
Complaints: 2
Structure
Complaints: 2
Suspensionrearspringsleaf Spring Assemblyleaf
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 2
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Equipmentotherownersserviceother Manual
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestorage
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assemblypedalhand Levermotorcycle
Complaints: 1
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Suspensionfrontshock Absorber
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontspringsleaf Spring Assembly
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
Complaints: 1
Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11697175 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
When’s he start and you get gas it won turn off but don’t do it , and whend I hit a jump and I tuning he shake it wild
#11697175 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
When’s he start and you get gas it won turn off but don’t do it , and whend I hit a jump and I tuning he shake it wild
#11697175 | SUSPENSION | | N/A miles
When’s he start and you get gas it won turn off but don’t do it , and whend I hit a jump and I tuning he shake it wild
#11423372 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
It appears to be the clear coat of the paint job has been coming off for a very long time. Really does not look good at all now. I reside in the state of Oregon. Although it rains a fair amount here, that should not cause this rate of decay of the paint job. It was not painted very well!!
#11359783 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | 172,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SMITHTOWN TOYOTA DEALER LOCATED AT 360 JERICHO TURNPIKE, SMITHTOWN, NY 11787. WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000.

View all Structurebody complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA

Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TCS-11-029 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TOYOTA: INFORMATION PERTAINING TO REISSUANCE OF FOLLOW UP NOTIFICATION LETTER TO CUSTOMERS FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES FOR THE PHASE 2 CORROSION RESISTANT COMPOUND TO FRAME OF TRUCKS. *PE

BO01200 — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

INFORMATION INTRODUCING CHANGES MADE TO IMPROVE THE ADJUSTABILITY OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR ON VEHICLES STARTING WITH VIN 4TAWN72N9XZ564100. *TT

EG00399 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT THE OPERATING LOGIC ON CERTAIN VEHICLES' ECMS HAS BEEN REVISED TO IMPROVE ENGINE IDLE SMOOTHNESS (WITH TRANSMISSION IN D RANGE). *TT

080498 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

SUBJECT REGARDING UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR HOSE. *TT

001698 — STRUCTURE:BODY

WATER LEAK FIELD FIX REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. *EH

001-98 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

IMPROVING ENGINE IDLE SMOOTHNESS BY INCREASING IDLE SPEED FROM 600 RPM TO 700 RPM. *YC

BO00997A — WHEELS:HUB

FULL WHEEL CAP IMPROVEMENT. *JD

BO00997 — WHEELS:HUB

TACOMA 4X2 FULL WHEEL CAP IMPROVEMENT. *JD

NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the TOYOTA TACOMA

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Other TOYOTA Models

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