1997 Toyota T100 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report frame and underbody corrosion, and many describe it developing gradually over years of winter-road exposure before it is noticed at inspection or during repairs. Steering linkage separation (broken center link or tie rod) and clutch pedal bracket cracking are also common, and seat belts that fail to retract come up repeatedly. Reported mileages vary widely, from vehicles with well under 50,000 miles to trucks past 200,000.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Frame and underbody rust-through

   • 21 complaints (30%)
   • median 142,500 mi at 14.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2022

   Owners describe frames, sub-frames, rear wheel wells and rocker panels rusting through, sometimes with visible holes and thin walls at the frame. In several complaints the corrosion spread to bumpers, body mounts, control arms and brake or fuel lines, and in some cases the rear bumper detached. According to complaints, dealers and the manufacturer generally declined assistance once the truck was out of warranty or not covered by a recall campaign. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 46,000 to over 200,000 miles, usually on vehicles used in areas with road salt.

   What to check: Have the frame, sub-frame and body mounts inspected on a lift, paying attention to holes and thin metal around the control arm mounts. Ask about where the truck has been driven and whether it has passed state safety inspection recently.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my 1997 T100 Toyota truck to uniontown Toyota dealer for a neutral switch repair which cost $360. At that time I was advised by the service manager not to drive the vehicle due to the current problem that Toyota is having with frame deterioration. Toyota currently has a recall on years back up to1995. This deterioration in my 1997 is obviously the same issue they are having and are honoring in the previous years' models. The frame needs to be replaced according to the service manager at the above dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10356116, filed 2010-09, 132,671 miles

   “Renewed my registration sept 18 2012, but the frame didn't pass inspection, too many holes and thin walls on the frame. All of the framework just falling apart, rest of the truck, drive train just fine. If the clothe seat, which has never been covered had to pass inspection, it would easily! Dirty, but no holes or rips. How utterly ridiculous is that? Tried 3 times to get someone from Toyota to talk about it, but they just play real stupid and say they don,t know anything about the frames rotting on the T100's and can't help me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10500169, filed 2013-02, 250,129 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering center link or tie rod breaks

   • 11 complaints (15%)
   • median 98,831 mi at 7.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2014

   Complaints describe the steering wheel turning while the front wheels stay straight, or the truck veering and the center link or tie rod breaking, often at low speed in a parking lot or driveway. Several owners state the broken casting appeared to have been poorly formed or fractured partway through. In other reports the steering wheel did not return to center after a turn, and dealers told at least one owner no recall applied. Reported from roughly 13,000 to 188,000 miles, sometimes with no warning while turning at low speed.

   Recall 05V389000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 05V389000 (steering relay rod) was performed, and have a mechanic inspect the center link, relay rod and tie rod ends for cracks or corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While making a left turn the steering wheel won't return to center upon completion of the turn. I understand there was a major safety vehicle recall for this truck however two dealers in merced and modesto, california have told me there is no safety recall. The 1995 to 1998 recall was for total loss of steering due to a broken steering rod. I bought this truck in california one year ago and we know for certain that it was originally sold in texas.”

   NHTSA complaint #10573895, filed 2014-03, 188,000 miles

   “While backing out of the driveway consumer heard a loud noise, and then loss steering control. Consumer inspected the vehicle, and found that the tie rod broke. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and they confirmed that tie rod broke. Consumer had the parts available for analysis. The consumer was told by the dealer that the steering rod broke. The consumer stated that the cast iron rod broke just above the brake.”

   NHTSA complaint #10103630, filed 2005-01, 45,700 miles
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Seat belts will not retract

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2012

   Owners report front and rear seat belts failing to retract fully, leaving slack webbing that hangs in the door opening and gets caught when the door closes. Complaints describe weak retractor springs, frayed webbing over time, and child seat belts that come loose; one owner reported seatback movement. Dealers are described as unable to duplicate the problem or as declining to repair it. Reported from vehicles at very low miles through about 124,000 miles, often noticed soon after purchase and recurring over years.

   What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it retract, checking speed and whether the webbing is frayed or caught at the B-pillar. Check that rear lap belts stay tight when tugged.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Well on my 1997 Toyota t-100 extended cab the rear seat belt to hold the child seat in place keeps coming loose and I have not other option that place the child seat on the rt or lt rear seats and this will or might risk my kid in a dangerous situation in case of a collision, also the drivers seat come loose super loose it wont restrain and in going to have to get one soon. So I ask to the nsths to contact Toyota's manufacturer and have them handle this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10472686, filed 2012-08, 124,000 miles

   “1997 Toyota t-100, seat belts fail to perform properly since originally purchased in 1997. Seat belts fail to retract and are constantly hanging outside the truck through the bottom of the truck door whether in use or not. Seat belts have been wet hundreds of times, have been exposed to road salt for every winter since 1997. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10371873, filed 2010-12, 1 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch pedal bracket cracks or bends

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • median 110,990 mi at 8.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2005

   Complaints describe the clutch pedal bracket cracking or twisting, so the clutch does not disengage fully and the truck becomes hard to shift or locks in first or reverse. In some cases the firewall was found cracked as well, and one owner reported the replacement part was made of a different, heavier steel. Dealers are described as replacing the bracket. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 160,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Press the clutch and watch the pedal bracket and firewall area for flexing or cracks. Ask whether the bracket has been replaced and check shift quality through all gears.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Clutch bracket (mounted inside passenger compartment on firewall behind clutch pedal) cracked. Cracked bracket deforms when clutch pedal is pressed, keeping clutch from disengaging completely.”

   NHTSA complaint #10143615, filed 2005-11, 60,000 miles

   “Truck became difficult to shift and would lock up in first ear or reverse. Discovered that the clutch pedal bracket was cracked, and warped and the firewall had also cracked.”

   NHTSA complaint #10114759, filed 2005-03, 160,000 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Driveline vibration at highway speed

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 173,818 mi at 16.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2012

   Owners describe constant vibration that becomes more pronounced at highway speeds and can also appear at around 35 to 40 mph. Some complaints link the shaking to load or weight in the truck, and one owner reported the front lower control arm breaking in half on a rusty, corroded truck that a dealer declined to repair. Reported without clear mileage in most complaints, generally on older, higher-mileage trucks.

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and feel for vibration through the seat and steering wheel. Have suspension and driveline components, including control arms and mounts, checked for rust and wear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at 35 MPH consumer experiences problems with vehicle vibration. Also, there is a leakage and the consumer doesn't know where the leakage is coming from. When picking up speed the vehicle starts to vibrate, and the vehicle is having problems with the weight of carrying consumer .”

   NHTSA complaint #829158, filed 1998-10

   “Consumer was driving about 40 MPH when noticed that there was a lot of vibration within the vehicle. When picking up more speed or slowing down, there is still alot of vibration as if the consumer would have alot of people in the vehicle. The vehicle acts like it can't hold on.”

   NHTSA complaint #829156, filed 1998-10

Buying note. Rust is the main thing to evaluate on this model year, so a pre-purchase inspection of the frame and underbody is worth the cost. Also confirm whether the steering relay rod recall was completed and check clutch pedal and seat belt operation during the test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.