1997 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 3% of the 131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles.
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.
“1. Driving normally, my 1997 Toyota Tacoma's front passenger tire fell off at an intersection. The ball joint failed. It was towed to a service place today. Had I been driving at highway speed, myself and passengers could have been killed or seriously injured. 2. Has not happened before. The vehicle is well maintained. 3. Waiting on repair parts and estimate.”
NHTSA complaint #10340863, filed 2010-06, 186,500 miles“The steering wheel began making noises 7 months after it was purchased new. Dealer took the dash out, replaced something and put it back together again. 7 months later the sound began again. Three letters to Toyota complaining about this problem were totally ignored. I visited the dealer in tucson, az about this and I wanted the problem solved at Toyota expense. Again I was put off and the rattle has persisted to this day. I am tired of listening to this rattle every time I drive the truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #11074706, filed 2018-02, 3,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10091946, filed 2004-09, 55,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 9 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 19 | 6% |
| 2009 | 39 | 8% |
| 2008 | 41 | 9% |
| 2007 | 54 | 10% |
| 2006 | 40 | 5% |
| 2005 | 61 | 9% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 12 | 3% |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma
46 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsTires
14 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsAir bags
5 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