1997 Toyota Tacoma: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Toyota Tacoma: 0 recalls, 131 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (46): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (40).
- Suspension (24): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (10), noise or vibration (3).
- Tires (14): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (14).
- Seat belts (11): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1997 Toyota Tacoma has 131 owner complaints, ranking #23 of 32 Tacoma model years for complaints (well below the 264 average). Complaints peaked in 1997 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 149,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (253 complaints, 1 recalls), 1998 (300 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Toyota Tacoma.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1997 Toyota Tacoma, but 4 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1997 Toyota Tacoma problems?
Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (46), suspension (24), tires (14).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Tacoma get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Toyota Tacoma repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.