1997 Toyota Tacoma

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE COLLISION.

• 12/26/2008· STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A 97 TACOMA EXTENDED CAB. AT ABOUT 30K MILES, THE TRUCK'S BLACK PAINT STARTED TO CRACK UNDER THE CLEARCOAT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A TOYOTA APPROVED BODYSHOP THAT IS WAS CALLED "CROW'S FEET". THE BODYSHOP SAID THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE, THAT IT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. I THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER WHERE I GOT IT FROM, AND THEY PROLONGED DEALING WITH THE ISSUE UNTIL THE TRUCK RAN OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE ABOUT 134K NOW ON THE TRUCK, AND IT ALSO HAS A BAD VALVE TICK THAT FROM WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET SEEMS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THIS ENGINE. I KNOW THAT SOME TIME HAS PAST, BUT I JUST FOUND THIS SITE. I THINK THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE WAY THIS COMPANY TREATS THEIR CUSTOMERS. THIS TRUCK WAS NOT CHEAP, EVEN FOR THE WINTER OF 1998. *TR

• 12/22/2007· STRUCTURE

  RECENTLY NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY TRUCK. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE FRAME, JUST BEFORE THE LEAF SPRINGS, HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CRACKED. I HAVE YET TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. I FEAR THE TRUCK IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

• 12/20/1999· SEAT BELTS

  DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION, THE BELT WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE RETRACTING MECHANISM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS.TOYATA DEALERS DO NOT KEEP THIS PART IN STOCK.. *AK

• 12/16/1999· SEAT BELTS

  INOPERATIVE SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED SEAT BELT. CONSUMER WANTS THIS INCIDENT ON RECORD WITH NHTSA. *AK

• 12/13/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  FRAME ROT.HAD A RECAL, IN 05 23 2011 AND WAS DONE AT GATEWAY TOYOTA NJ. APPLIED CORROSION PREVENTATIVE COMPOUND AND NOW FRAME IS ROTTED BADLY AND NOT SAFE

• 12/10/2016· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE TRUCK HAD BEEN RIDING ROUGHER ON THE ROADS WHEN FAMILY FOLLOWING ONE DAY NOTICED THE TRUCK LEANING LEFT. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THINKING IT WAS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. IT ENDED UP BEING MAJOR RUST AND CORROSION TO THE FRAME THAT WAS SO BAD THERE WAS NO STRUCTURAL SUPPORT OF THE STRUTS AND SPRINGS. OWNER OF THE AUTO SHOP AS WELL AS A BODY REPAIR SHOP IT WAS TAKEN TO SAID I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THERE WAS NO WRECK OR INJURY. THE PROBLEMS ARE SO EXTENSIVE THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A TOYOTA TRUCK THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED EASILY ANOTHER 100,000 MILES. THE FRAME WAS EXPECTED TO LAST LONGER THEN THE TRUCK WHEN PURCHASED AS TOYOTA USED TO BE A GOOD COMPANY AND PRODUCT. MY FIRST TRUCK WAS A TOYOTA BACK IN 1976. THERE WAS A RECALL THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THE PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL IMPACT THIS HAS CAUSED IS SIGNIFICANT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE RESTITUTION AS EVIDENCE INDICATES IT HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING PROBLEM WITH CHEAPER/INFERIOR FRAMES USED BY TOYOTA GOING BACK SEVERAL YEARS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 188,000, BUT THE PROBLEMS HAS EXISTED FOR AWHILE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.

• 12/01/2014· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TOOK 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA TO DEALER IN AUGUST OF 2011 FOR FRAME RUST RECALL. WAS TOLD FRAME WAS FINE AND THEY WOULD SPRAY FRAME WITH RUSTPROOFING MATERIAL AT NO COST. RETURNED TO DEALER IN NOVEMBER 2014 FRAME WAS RUSTING THROUGH. TOLD BY DEALER THEY COULD RESPRAY BUT WERE NOW NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RUST THROUGH AND SAID I COULD CONTACT TOYOTA. I DID SO AND THEY SAID THAT RECALL CAMPAIGN HAD EXPIRED AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. I BELIEVE I ORIGINALLY RETURNED TO DEALER WHEN RECALL WAS IN EFFECT AND ALL THEY DID WAS HIDE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE RECALL EXPIRED. THEIR LIFETIME RUSTPROOFING LASTED ONLY 3 YEARS. *JS

• 11/21/2017· STRUCTURE

  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. NOTING THE FRAME PROBLEMS I'D HAD WITH ANOTHER TOYOTA(1984) ASKED IF TOYOTA HAD "CLEANED" UP THEIR ACT AND MADE THE UNDER CARRIAGE ANY BETTER? WAS ASSURED "THAT THOSE PROBLEMS WERE ALL BEHIND THEM".FAST FORWARD ^ YEARS I'M PAYING A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO REPLACE THE REAR 60% OF THE FRAME @ A COST OF $1800.00.NOW I FIND I'M HAVING TO FIX/REPLACE PARTS OF THE FRONT END FRAME.

• 11/21/2008· STRUCTURE

  THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA AND WITH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS LIVING UP TO THEIR RECALL OF 1995-2000 TACOMA'S WITH FRAME RUST/FAILURE. ON APRIL 25, 2008 I PURCHASED A USED 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA FROM A USED CAR DEALER FOR $3200. ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 15TH, 2008 I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE PASSENGERS SIDE BALL JOINT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RUNNING OFF ONTO THE MEDIAN. WHEN GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, THE SERVICE MAN TOLD THAT MY FRAME LOOKED BAD AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED FOR FRAME RUST. HE TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA WAS EITHER FIXING OR BUYING BACK THE TRUCKS WITH BAD FRAMES. ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 22, 2008 I TOOK MY 1997 TACOMA TO BRAD HUGHES TOYOTA IN PRESTONSBURG KY FOR AN EVALUATION OF THE FRAME. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT MY TRUCK DID INDEED HAVE A BAD FRAME AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD CONTACT ME. THEY SAID THAT I COULD EXPECT TO RECEIVE 150% OF KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUE AND THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED WITHIN 2 WEEKS WITH AN OFFER ON MY TRUCK. ON NOVEMBER 20, 2008 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM CHARLES ZACHARY OF TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS, PHONE NUMBER 1-800-331-4331. MR ZACHARY OFFERED ME $1500 (KBB BLUE BOOK TRADE IN VALUE), NOT 150% AS PROMISED IN THE LETTER THAT TOYOTA PROMISED IN THE RECALL LETTER. ALTHOUGH I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE BAD FRAME, I HAD TO DECLINE THE OFFER. I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE $2700 ON A TRUCK I PURCHASED EARLIER THIS YEAR. MR ZACHARY'S REASON FOR OFFERING SO LITTLE WAS THAT I BOUGHT THE TRUCK AFTER MARCH, WHEN THE LETTERS WENT OUT. AND THAT THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING ME A TRUCK WITH A BAD FRAME. TOYOTA IS PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER BY REFUSING TO LIVE UP TO THEIR PROMISE OF BUYING BACK THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BAD FRAMES. THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I TOOK MY TRUCK FOR INSPECTION SAID THAT I WAS GETTING A RAW DEAL FROM TOYOTA. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR

• 11/18/2014· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRAMES WERE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE FRAMES WERE RUSTING AND FALLING APART. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

• 11/08/2013· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

• 11/03/2025· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  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

• 10/31/2019· STRUCTURE

  TL* 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 FRAME AREA WAS CORRODED AND HAD HOLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PERFORMED A REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE FRAME UNDERCOATING FOR 1995 TO 2005 TACOMA VEHICLES, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE CORROSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.*PM CONSUMER STATED FRAME WAS ONCE COATED IN 2011, NOW PEELING AND CORRODED.*JB

• 10/28/1997· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEAD LIGHTS FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  FRONT DISC BRAKES WILL LOCK UP WHEN APPLIED, WITH THE REAR BRAKES HAVING A DELAY IN SEQUENCE FOR STOPPING FROM THE FRONT, BECAUSE OF THIS ERRATIC PERFORMANCE, THE TRUCK WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.*AK CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 30- 35 MPH ON A WET ROAD, HE CAME UPON AN ACCIDENT HE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER AND SLID INTO THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFICHITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.*JB

• 10/26/2001· TIRES

  TREAD SPLITTING/CRACKING ALL THE WAY AROUND TIRES ON ALL TIRES/STEEL BELTS SHOWING THROUGH/TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS "DRY ROT." *AK (TIRESIZE: 31105R15)

• 10/24/2013· SEAT BELTS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH WITH THE BUCKLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 10/23/2012· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING HIS TIRES REPLACED, AS THE MECHANIC LIFTED THE VEHICLE THE FRAME BENT SEVERELY DUE TO RUST. THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO WORK ON IT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT APPEARED THE FRAME COULD SPLIT IN HALF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 212,000.

• 10/17/2016· SUSPENSION

  I HAVE RUSTY HOLES IN MY FRAME AND TOYOTA WONT FIX SOMETHING THAT IS SO DANGEROUS AND NOW MY TACOMA IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO NOW?!

• 10/17/2000· STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING BOLTS BROKE OFF THE DRIVESHAFT SEPARATING REAR AXLE AND HITTING THE GAS TANK. *AK ONE OF THE TWO BOLTS HOLDING THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO FALL AND RESULTING IN REAR AXLE SEPARATION AND RIPING A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK. *YH

• 10/16/2007· STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA, I DISCOVERED FRAME ROT IN FRONT OF THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES. THERE WAS STILL UNDERBODY PAINT ON THE FRAME IN THAT AREA WHICH WHEN REMOVED REVEALED THE SERIOUS CORROSION OF THE FRAME RAIL. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND SEVERE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE BUMPER BRACKETS ARE BARELY HOLDING UP THE BUMPER. *TR

• 10/08/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  VEHICLE HAS SURGED TWICE NOW WITH MYSELF AND ONCE WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHILE APPLING THE BRAKES. IT FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR IS BEING DEPRESSES. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTHE TIME WITH ME WHEN BRAKING ON HARD BUMPY SURFACE. ALSO THEE IS A DISTINCT CLUNK IN THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED AFTER STOPPING. THIS HAS BEEN IN THE TRUCK SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME.

• 10/06/2007· STRUCTURE

  HI, I HAVE A 1997 TACOMA. WITHIN THE PAST YEAR THE FRAME HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT I CAN PUT A SCREWDRIVER THRU IT AND IT CANT BE REPAIRED. I FEAR I'LL HAVE TO JUNK THE VEHICLE. WHAT TYPE OF METAL DID THEY USE? TOYOTA OR CONSUMER AFFAIRS SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS FINE. IF ANYONE KNOW WHO CAN HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW. BUMMED! *TR

• 10/05/2001· TIRES

  CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE, GOT OUT OF TRUCK, AND LOOKED UNDER IT TO SEE WHERE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. DUELER TIRE, APT, 31 X 10.50/R 15LT. *AK

• 09/24/2012· STRUCTURE

  MY HUSBAND HAS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. HE BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN 2004. RECENTLY HE SAW THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH WAS RUSTED AND ROTTING OUT. SOMEONE TOLD HIM THAT TOYOTA WAS TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEIR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. WELL, THEY TOLD US TAT WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE IN BY FEBRUARY TO RECEIVE THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE WERE NEVER CONTACTED BY TOYOTA, THEY DO NOT HAVE US AS THE CURRENT OWNER AND MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER 5 OR SO YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE. 15 YEARS SHOULD BE UP IN DECEMBER, BUT THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE GOING BY THE DATE IT WAS SOLD OR SOMETHING. THIS VEHICLE IS PRACTICALLY UNDRIVABLE AND TOYOTA BASICALLY SAID OH, WELL, YOU WERE TOO LATE. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB CONTACTING THEIR CUSTOMERS AND I HAVE FOUND EVIDENCE OF MANY OTHER DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS ON THE INTERNET WHO ALSO WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND WHO ALSO MISSED THE DEADLINE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT, AND IF IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF REGARDLESS OF WEATHER WE BROUGHT IT IN 9 MONTHS AGO OR TODAY. THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO LEEWAY IN THIS AND THAT THERE WAS NO ELSE I COULD TAKE THIS ISSUE UP WITH. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

• 09/21/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE PADS FAILED. 2 SHOES ON REAR PUT ON BACKWARDS. SHORT NEEDED IN BACK & LONG IN FRONT ACCORDING TO DEALER. FRONT DISC PADS REPLACED DUE TO REAR BRAKES. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS. *AK

• 09/20/2007· STRUCTURE

  BOTH FRAME RAILS ROTTED OUT, MAKING TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

• 09/19/2000· TIRES

  TIRE COMPLETELY CAME APART, SAME THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF MINE WITH SIMILIAR TRUCK. THESE TIRES SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL!( DOT NUMBER: W2HY TIRE SIZE: P215/70R14 )

• 09/18/2020· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 09/18/2018· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE MUFFLER REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME. THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF LOUISVILLE, 6514 DIXIE HWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40258) STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FRAME EXPIRED ON JULY 31, 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

• 09/18/2000· TIRES

  PE00-020; WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT AND HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. HOWEVER, CONSUMER KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND DROVE OFF ROAD. TOYOTA, TACOMA 1997; FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK ATX, 30X9.5X15 R15LT, DOT VD66/AXC. *AK FIRESTONE DEALER WAS NOT HELPFUL WHEN THE CUSTOMER REPORTED THE FAILED TIRE. THE CUSTOMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NEW TIRE PURCHASED TO REPLACE THE FAILED ONE. *YH

• 09/18/1997· PARKING BRAKE

  WHEN PUTTING THE TRUCK IN THE PARK POSITION THE WHOLE HANDLE CAME OFF. TOOK TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WASN'T CONNECTED TO HOLD THE HANDLE.

• 09/17/2000· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  NO SUMMARY

• 09/13/2004· STEERING

  RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL. THEN, ONCE THE SAFETY INSPECTION FAILED BECAUSE O F THE RACK AND PINION.*AK

• 09/12/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE IGNITION REMAINED RUNNING AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE STARTER ENGAGED WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED ON, BUT AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED, THE STARTER CONTINUED TO CRANK UNTIL THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THIS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE STARTER STAYED LOCKED IN AND CRANKED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, BUT THE STARTER CONTINUED TO RUN. *SCC *JB

• 09/12/1997· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 50 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. PLEASE GIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

• 09/11/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEVERE FRAME RUST. THE TECH AT HUDSON TOYOTA IN NEW JERSEY WOULDN'T EVEN TAKE FOR A TEST DRIVE. I NOTICED THE RUST FORMING IN 2010 BUT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLACED BY TOYOTA UNTIL 2014, AFTER IT HAD EXPIRED. VERY FRUSTRATING. MILEAGE AS OF 9/11/15 IS 190K.

• 09/09/2014· AIR BAGSCrash

  WAS IN A TERRIBLE COLLISION AND ROLL OVER IN 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA AND BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUSTAIN MAJOR FRACTURED FACE RESULTING IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY AND NOW HAVE NECK PROBLEMS AND FIBROMYALGIA. *TR

• 09/08/2016· SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE

  1997 TACOMA FRAME RUST AT LEADING EDGE OF REAR AXLE LEAF SPRINGS ALLOWED THE LEAF SPRINGS TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SHOULDER LAP SEAT BELTS DO NOT RECOIL.

• 09/06/2000· TIRES

  ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1997 TACOMA, 31X10.50R15LT SIZE, W260AX1526. LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD WAS PEELING OFF. *AK

• 09/02/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  I BOUGHT THE ABOVE MENTIONED TRUCK NEW IN 1997. FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS IT'S JUST BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT YEAR OF TRUCK. MY WIFE CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED BUT THEY COULDN'T GIVE A DATE. I CALLED TODAY AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T A RECALL BUT AN EXTENSION ON THE LIFE OF THE FRAME FOR FIFTEEN YEARS (SAME THING). THE BODY OF THE TRUCK IS IN GOOD SHAPE FOR ITS AGE. THE ENGINE ONLY HAS 126K MILES WHICH IS NOTHING FOR A TOYOTA. I SHOULD STILL BE DRIVING THIS TRUCK TODAY. I TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING I HAVE SO IT WILL LAST. BIGGEST ISSUE HERE IS I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE FRAME. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER SO IT'S NOT LIKE TOYOTA DIDN'T KNOW WHO HAD THE TRUCK OR WHERE I WAS LIVING. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR I SHOULD RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR THE TRUCK AND NOT BEING ABLE TO USE IT FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. *TR

• 09/01/2000· SEAT BELTS,TIRESCrash

  ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRES P21570R14, DOT WTHYAWA, TOYOTA TAKOMA, EXTEND CAB 1997. PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT WHEN TURNING A CORNER. *AK DUE TO THE TIRE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, WENT INTO A DITCH AND HIT A STUMP, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INURIES BECAUSE THE AIRBAG EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT. *SLC

• 09/01/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE SYSTEM HAS CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SINCE 3,000 MILES, REPLACEMENTS MADE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER COMPONENTS CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. MJS

• 09/01/1998· AIR BAGS

  FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

• 08/29/2016· SUSPENSION

  RECENTLY PURCHASE 1997 TACOMA TOOK IT TO REPLACE REAR TIRES SHOP INFORMED ME THE FRAME HAD MAJOR ROT AND IS NOT SAFE FOR HIGHWAY. CONTACTED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THEY PREFORMED A FREE INSPECTION ON 08-29-16 UPON COMPLETION OF THIS INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME BOTH IN WRITING AND VERBALLY THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR HIGHWAY USE. MULTIPLE RUST PERFORATIONS THROUGH OUT FRAME OF THIS TRUCK. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL ON THE FRAME HAD EXPIRED HOWEVER THEY STATED THAT IF WE FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA THROUGH YOUR ORGANIZATION THAT WE COULD POSSIBLILY GET A CASH SETTLEMENT FOR THIS TACOMA.

• 08/28/2000· TIRESCrash

  TIRE FAILED, ON FLAT ROAD, NO INCLINE, ROLLED THREE TIMES, NOT SPEEDING! HOT DAY( DOT NUMBER: )

• 08/28/1997· WHEELS

  VEHICLE'S FRONT WHEELS DO NOT STAY IN CONTACT WITH THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE AROUND CORNERS AND TRAVELING OVER POTHOLES ,OCCURS AT ANY SPEED.CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

• 08/26/2016· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL, THE LEAF SPRINGS AND THE CHASSIS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE CORROSION BUY BACK PROGRAM WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

• 08/25/2013· STRUCTURE

  MY TRUCK WAS BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION AFTER THE FRAME ROT RECALL AT PARKWAY TOYOTA AT 50 SYLVAN AVE ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS NJ IN JULY 2008. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD US THE FRAME WAS SAFE THOUGH THERE WAS SOME SURFACE RUST. IT WAS DEEMED NO REPAIR NECESSARY. NOW IN APRIL OF 2013 MY TRUCK NEEDED A TUNE UP AND AFTER THAT WAS DONE WE WERE TOLD THEY SPOTTED POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CORROSION OF THE FRAME. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A BODY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE THE FRAME IS DANGEROUSLY ROTTED AND IS NOT REPAIRABLE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD US THEY WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TRUCK. I BELIEVE WHEN I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT MY TRUCK IN TO BE INSPECTED FOR RUST THEY MISSED THE EARLY STAGES OF FRAME ROT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AT THAT TIME AND THEREFORE SHOULD HONOR THE FRAME WARRANTY EXTENSION ISSUED IN THE RECALL. *TR