1997 TOYOTA TACOMA PROBLEMS

Common Complaints and Reliability

• 1. Frame and Structural Integrity Issues

  • Frame rust at rear axle leaf springs, leaf springs detached from vehicle
    
  • Severe rusting on frame after lifted during service
    
  • Frame rust on frame may be unsafe to drive
    
  • Frame rust due to corrosion, Toyota refusing to address issue
    
  • Frame rust affecting vehicle structure
    
  • Rusty frame problem making vehicle unsafe to drive
    
  • Rust through frame caused rollover accident
    
  • Rusted frame caused structural failure
    
  • Frame rust caused serious collision and rollover
    
  • Rusted frame caused structural failure
    
  • Frame rust after inspection, hidden by dealer
    
  • Frame rust failure due to corrosion
    
  • Rusty subframe on vehicle making it unsafe
    
  • Frame failure due to corrosion
    
  • Rusty frame rendering vehicle unsafe to drive
    
  • Frame rust affecting vehicle safety
    
  • Frame rust caused vehicle safety issue
    
  • Frame rust treatment failure led to deterioration
    
  • Severe frame rust caused structural failure
    
  • Rusted frame rendered vehicle unsafe
    
  • Frame rust showing leading to unsafe structure
    
  • Frame rust issues despite recalls
    
  • Rusted frame making vehicle unsafe
    

• 2. Suspension and Steering Issues

  • Balance joint failure leading to passenger tire falling off
    
  • Upper ball joint broke, front wheel came off
    
  • Suspension problems
    
  • Unstable suspension affecting driving/handling
    
  • Failure of upper ball joint
    
  • Unstable suspension issue affecting driving
    
  • Suspension unstability due to sway bar
    
  • Strut and spring corrosion result in vehicle safety risks
    
  • Suspension unstability causing loss of control
    
  • Unstable suspension impacting drive
    

• 3. Tire and Wheel Failures

  • Driver's side tire blowout
    
  • Tire tread cracking/splitting on all tires
    
  • Tire failure resulting in heavy damage
    
  • Tire failure without warning
    
  • Drivers side tire through inspected and blowout occurred median
    
  • Tire inadequacy caused roll over
    
  • Tires cracking perceptibly
    
  • Tire blowout caused control loss
    
  • Tire cracking despite non-inclusion in recall
    
  • Tires cracking despite no recall inclusion
    
  • Splitting tread on tires
    
  • Tire blowouts despite no warning
    
  • Tire cracking/splitting issues
    
  • Wheel stud breakage issues
    
  • Balancing joint failure resulting in wheel fallout
    

• 4. Airbag and Safety Restraint Failures

  • Driver's or passenger's airbags failed to deploy in frontal collision
    
  • Airbags failed to deploy in collision
    
  • No deployment of driver/passenger airbags
    
  • Airbag inoperative during collision
    
  • Airbag failure during frontal collision
    
  • Airbag failure to deploy caused injury
    
  • Airbag failure in collision
    
  • Airbags not deploying in crash
    
  • Airbag failure during accident
    
  • No deployment of airbags in collision
    
  • Airbag failure in frontal collision
    
  • Control loss due to airbag non-deployment
    

• 5. Brake System Failures

  • ABS failure leading to braking issues
    
  • Failed brake system caused collision
    
  • Brake system failure due to ABS issue
    
  • Brake pads failed
    
  • Braking failure caused collision
    
  • Braking failure due to speed loss
    
  • ABS failure led to braking issues
    
  • Braking issue caused collision
    

• 6. Engine and Acceleration Issues

  • Acceleration issues, gas pedal gets stuck
    
  • Vehicle surging while braking
    
  • Engine surged during acceleration
    
  • Spontaneous acceleration resulting in loss of control and collision
    
  • Stuck gas pedal while accelerating
    
  • Surging at acceleration resulted in collision
    
  • Engine surging caused control loss
    
  • Acceleration surges despite no pedal forcing
    
  • Loss of control due to gas pedal stuck
    

• 7. Transmission and Drivetrain Problems

  • Transfer case shift lever without safety switch caused rolling downhill incident
    
  • Separated drive shaft bolts caused damage to rear axle and gas tank
    
  • Drive shaft bolt failure resulted in damage
    
  • Transfer case shifter fault leading to rolling incident
    
  • Transfer case shift lever issue resulted in vehicle roll
    
  • Drive shaft failure due to separation of bolts
    
  • Transmission issues with shifter lever
    
  • Impact while transferring gears
    

• 8. Seat Belt and Restraint System Issues

  • Seat belt retractor issue, latching problem
    
  • Failure of driver's seat belt retractor
    
  • Seat belt malfunction
    
  • Seat belt retractor malfunction led to safety concerns
    
  • Seat belt retractor malfunctioning
    
  • Seat belt locking issues
    
  • Vehicle safety impacted by seat belt retractor issues
    

• 9. Steering and Handling Problems

  • Front wheels not staying in contact with road while driving
    
  • Loss of control due to steering issues
    
  • Steering failure during cornering
    
  • Front wheels lacking road contact
    
  • Steering issues affecting maneuverability
    

• 10. Miscellaneous Mechanical Issues

  • Clutch pedal assembly/bushing failed, squeaking noise while clutching
    
  • Ignition remains running after key removed
    
  • Clunk in rear end of truck after car stopping
    
  • Rear end clunking issue not resolved