1997 Toyota Tacoma
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 46 of 131 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 253 in 1996 to 131 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Small Pickup Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,900 | 2,850–3,900 | 2,850–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–22 | 16–22 | 16–22 | 16–21 | 16–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–19 / 17–26 | 15–20 / 17–26 | 15–20 / 18–26 | 15–19 / 18–25 | 15–19 / 18–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–555 | 404–555 | 404–555 | 423–555 | 423–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 177 | 253 | 131 | 300 | 249 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 21 | 21 | 13 | 49 | 40 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 14 | 9 | 29 | 28 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Toyota Tacoma?
Body, Seats & Latches: 46 of 131 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma get?
EPA rates it 16–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Toyota Tacoma?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks | 19 mpg | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks | 20 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks | 16 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks | 17 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 16 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 16 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 41 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 16 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E049000 · Jun 5, 2006
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
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.