1997 Toyota Tacoma Suspension Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11697175

Incident

Oct 31, 2025

MY LEE SPRINGS ARE RUSTED FRAME IS TO LEE'S SPRINGS ARE BROKEN

NHTSA ID

11338966

Incident

Jul 10, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi

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*LJ *AS

NHTSA ID

10966537

Incident

Mar 8, 2017

Mileage

240,000 mi

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. TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE RESTITUTION AS EVIDENCE INDICATES IT HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING PROBLEM WITH CHEAPER/INFERIOR FRAMES USED BY TOYOTA GOING BACK SEVERAL YEARS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 188,000, BUT THE PROBLEMS HAS EXISTED FOR AWHILE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID

10934477

Incident

Dec 3, 2016

I HAVE RUSTY HOLES IN MY FRAME AND TOYOTA WONT FIX SOMETHING THAT IS SO DANGEROUS AND NOW MY TACOMA IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO NOW?!

NHTSA ID

10916691

Incident

Oct 10, 2016

Mileage

210,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10899267

Incident

Aug 29, 2016

Mileage

232,828 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10898772

Incident

Aug 7, 2016

Mileage

189,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10820450

Incident

Jun 11, 2015

Mileage

208,000 mi

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. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR I SHOULD RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR THE TRUCK AND NOT BEING ABLE TO USE IT FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10630025

Incident

Sep 2, 2014

Mileage

126,000 mi

THE FORWARD LEAF SPRING MOUNT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE UP AND INTO THE FRAME RAIL. THIS VEHICLE EASILY HAD ANOTHER 100,000 MILES OF LIFE LEFT IN IT, BUT NHTSA EVIDENTLY DOES NOT THINK THAT FRAME RAILS ROTTING AWAY DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND HAS NOT FORCED TOYOTA INTO RECALL MODE. THERE IS A GREAT NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD YET. I WAS LUCKY THAT WHEN MINE FAILED, IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME THAT WON'T BE AS LUCKY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10611402

Incident

Jul 17, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10536056

Incident

Aug 19, 2013

Mileage

124,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT WAS REPAIRED TWICE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED ONCE. EACH TIME THE BALL JOINTS FAILED, IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND AND WOULD NEED A SPECIAL TRUCK TO TOWING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT HAD NEVER GIVEN A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN SEVEN MONTHS APART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ID

10462583

Incident

Jun 1, 2012

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10340863

Incident

Jun 30, 2010

Mileage

186,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE FAILED ON MAY 29, 2007. HE CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO LOOKED UP HIS VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ISSUED FOR OLDER MODELS OF HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE AGENCY REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 201,000. THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. UPDATED 07/06/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10192037

Incident

May 29, 2007

Mileage

201,000 mi

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. *NM

NHTSA ID

10179426

Incident

Jan 12, 2001

Mileage

55,000 mi

I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT LEAF SPRING HAD BROKEN. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THE VEHICLE HAD 57,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED AND HAS BEEN GIVEN PROPER MAINTENANCE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ITEM THE MFG. SHOULD STAND BEHIND. *JB

NHTSA ID

10153594

Incident

Dec 10, 2005

Mileage

57,463 mi

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 SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT OFFERED TO REPLACE THE LEAF SPRING FREE OF CHARGE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10106036

Incident

Dec 22, 2004

Mileage

95,845 mi

CONSUMER STATES WHILE BACKING UP VEHICLE, CONSUMER RAN OVER SOMETHING IN THE DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER GOT OUT AND NOTICE THAT VEHICLE HAD RAN OVER A LEAF SPRING. CONSUMER STATES THE LEAF SPRING ASSISTS IN HOLDING VEHICLE UP OFF THE GROUND. NLM

NHTSA ID

8008097

Incident

Mar 19, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE UPPER BALL JOINT BROKE AND THE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER, THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*AK. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ID

8006014

Incident

Mar 16, 2002

LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING SEPARATED/CAUSING LEFT REAR TO SAG.*AK

NHTSA ID

758130

Incident

Feb 11, 2002

REAR SUSPENSION AND BODY OF VEHICLE SAGS AND DRIVING AND HANDLING ARE NEGATIVELY EFFECTED.

NHTSA ID

538664

Incident

May 1, 1998

VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION IS UNSTABLE, DESIGN DOES NOT INCLUDE REAR SWAY BAR AND THE SHOCKS ABSORBERS ARE INADEQUATE.

NHTSA ID

533303

SUSPENSION IS VERY UNSTABLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

533437

CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT REAR LEAF SPRINGS DO NOT MEET LOAD SPECS AS SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER, CAUSING VIBRATION.

NHTSA ID

520014