1997 Toyota Tacoma Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 8%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 8% of the 131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10549410, filed 2013-10, 100,000 miles“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. 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.”
NHTSA complaint #869353, filed 2000-09“Reoccurring problem with seat belt retractors. Both passenger and driver's side experience problem, but problem is more common on passenger's side. Seat belt commonly hangs out of vehicle door unless noticed prior to closing door. A real hassle - destroying paint on door sill.”
NHTSA complaint #718114, filed 2000-01“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..”
NHTSA complaint #854128, filed 1999-12“Driver's seat belt retractor locked up and was unable to be used, leaving driver without any restraint if vehicle got involved in a crash. Dealer contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #8011814, filed 2002-06Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 1% |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 2% |
| 1998 | 23 | 8% |
| 1997 | 11 | 8% |
| 1996 | 11 | 4% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma
46 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsTires
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology