Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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 The manufacturer was notified and informed that the corrosion buy back program was no longer valid.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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop for an alignment. The technician stated that a part of the frame was missing due to extreme rust. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 07V013000 (suspension) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000. Updated 06/02/17
Frame rust. Not made aware of recall or extended warranty. Frame is severely corroded and has a hole where the shock absorber use to mount. It literally fell off due to rust. Several other areas showing signs of corrosion as well. Seems this is not an uncommon problem. Not sure it is safe to drive. Toyota dealership says there is nothing they can do.
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
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. …
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. …
I am the original owner of a 1997 Toyota Tacoma sr5, 4wd extra cab. I recently noticed the bed of my truck was sagging on the passenger side. I took my truck to a Toyota dealer service shop and they discovered that the leaf spring is broken on the passenger side. I have not done anything to cause this to happen to my truck. I do not have a towing hitch on my truck therefore, I do not tow heavy loads or any loads for that matter. I do not put heavy loads in the bed of my truck. I don not use my truck for hauling things. I have never installed a camping shell or any shell on the bed of my truck. I have never taken my truck off road and gone "four wheeling". Therefore, I am at a quandary as to why this would happen. I have not yet replaced the leaf spring. However, the driver side leaf spring will also need to be replaced because of sag. …
The Toyota Tacoma I bought in 1997 is in excellent mechanical condition. How ever it is in horrible structural condition, with a frame that is almost completely rusted through, and no longer safe to drive. I took the truck to kings Toyota to get inspected and they told me that since the truck has passed the 15 yr warranty extension, that there is nothing they could do for me and allowed me to drive the truck off of their lot. I then called Toyota and they said that unfortunately I am out of luck, since the truck is a year past the extended warranty. My complaint is that this was the result of Toyota not having adequate corrosion-resistant protection. They investigated this problem and came to the conclusion that the protection was in fact inadequate. Yet they allow people to continue to drive on the roads with their product that they know is unsafe.
I am the original owner of a 1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 lx. I have experienced suspension problems for the last 6 years. The rear leaf springs will not support the weight of the stock vehicle. I have tried several times to get Toyota to replace them with larger springs. Toyota has turned their back on me and several friends that have the same problem. I installed aftermarket helper springs and one of them broke as it was overloaded because of the weak factory springs. I now have a drivetrain noise because the driveshaft is at an improper angle due to the sag in the leaf springs.
Suspension complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1997 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 18% of the model year's 131 complaints. The component named most often is rear › springs › leaf spring assembly (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 1997 Toyota Tacoma. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 189,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.