1997 Toyota Tacoma Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 7%of 131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 7% of the 131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 160,000 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.
“1 parked with truck in 1st gear 2 truck came out of gear 2 times. I stoped the truck 1 time, a tree stopped it the 2nd time. 1 year later, the truck pops into nutural while driving. I put it back in gear, I sometimes hold the shifter to keep it in gear. 3 I have not tryed to fix the transmission, but I always set the parking break.”
NHTSA complaint #10123797, filed 2005-06, 106,000 miles“(1) normal use. (2) clutch pedal assembly/bushing failed, squeaking noise present when clutching. (3) parts replaced ~$250-$315 to repair/replace parts. After replacing, parts lasted approximately 1.5 to 2 years and required replacement again. No updated parts/recall available from Toyota, was told by several Toyota service departments it is a common problem . No aftermarket options available.”
NHTSA complaint #10180768, filed 2007-01Related service bulletins
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 31% |
| 2025 | 22 | 19% |
| 2024 | 55 | 35% |
| 2023 | 7 | 13% |
| 2022 | 10 | 17% |
| 2021 | 14 | 17% |
| 2020 | 15 | 17% |
| 2019 | 40 | 18% |
| 2018 | 29 | 14% |
| 2017 | 68 | 28% |
| 2016 | 136 | 42% |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% |
| 2014 | 13 | 14% |
| 2013 | 22 | 18% |
| 2012 | 35 | 12% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 29 | 10% |
| 2009 | 75 | 14% |
| 2008 | 23 | 5% |
| 2007 | 68 | 13% |
| 2006 | 56 | 7% |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% |
| 2004 | 22 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 6% |
| 2001 | 15 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 5% |
| 1999 | 16 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma
46 complaintsSuspension
24 complaintsTires
14 complaintsSeat belts
11 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