Total Complaints
13 filings
TOYOTA TIOO · model year
1997 TOYOTA TIOO
13 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997TOYOTATIOO carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 TIOO is structure:frame and members with 4 filings, followed by structure (1) and power train:clutch assembly (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 1997 TIOO, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
13
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 4 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20140611STRUCTURE:BODY
CAME TO STOP LIGHT ENGAGED CLUTCH WENT THROUGH FIREWALL LEAVING ME UNABLE TO DRIVE. MY MECHANIC WELDED IT . JUST RECENTLY FOUND THAT FRONT END SUPPORT UNDER RADIATOR IS RUSTED ALONG WITH MOTOR MOUNTS. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK SINCE 1997 NEW, LEASED IT FOR 3 YEARS THEN BOUGHT IT OUT RIGHT. WHILE UNDER LEASE AGREEMENT IT WAS SERVICED BY DEALER. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY "RECALLS WHAT SO EVER " ON THIS TRUCK. THERE ARE NOW 169000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK. THE MOTOR IS STILL IN GOOD SHAPE AND WAS LOOKING FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS DRIVING.... IS THERE ANYTHING TOYOTA IS LIABLE FOR? I KNOW THERE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE VEHICLES, BUT I NEVER GOT ANY NOTICE FOR ANY RECALLS!!! A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A SIMILAR TRUCK 1998 THAT HAS OVER 2500000 MILESNOW. WE WERE ALWAYS WAITING TO SEE IF WE WERE EVER GOING TO GETA RECALL ON OUR TRUCKS.... *TR
Mileage: 130,000
20140611POWER TRAIN
CAME TO STOP LIGHT ENGAGED CLUTCH WENT THROUGH FIREWALL LEAVING ME UNABLE TO DRIVE. MY MECHANIC WELDED IT . JUST RECENTLY FOUND THAT FRONT END SUPPORT UNDER RADIATOR IS RUSTED ALONG WITH MOTOR MOUNTS. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK SINCE 1997 NEW, LEASED IT FOR 3 YEARS THEN BOUGHT IT OUT RIGHT. WHILE UNDER LEASE AGREEMENT IT WAS SERVICED BY DEALER. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY "RECALLS WHAT SO EVER " ON THIS TRUCK. THERE ARE NOW 169000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK. THE MOTOR IS STILL IN GOOD SHAPE AND WAS LOOKING FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS DRIVING.... IS THERE ANYTHING TOYOTA IS LIABLE FOR? I KNOW THERE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE VEHICLES, BUT I NEVER GOT ANY NOTICE FOR ANY RECALLS!!! A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A SIMILAR TRUCK 1998 THAT HAS OVER 2500000 MILESNOW. WE WERE ALWAYS WAITING TO SEE IF WE WERE EVER GOING TO GETA RECALL ON OUR TRUCKS.... *TR
Mileage: 130,000
20100714STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T-100. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE FRAME WAS BEGINNING TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 09/16-10 *BF UPDATED 9/20/10. *JB
Mileage: 120,000
20100621STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TI00. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. IT WAS NOT DISCLOSED IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE TUNDRA MODEL VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.
Mileage: 102,000
20100621SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TI00. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. IT WAS NOT DISCLOSED IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE TUNDRA MODEL VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.
Mileage: 102,000
20100506STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I WAS HAVING MY 1997 TOYOTA T100 PICK UP WORKED ON. THEY PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTED THAT IT GAVE WAY, AND THE TRUCK BENT IN HALF FROM ITS OWN WEIGHT. I CALLED TOYOTA DIRECTLY AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE SORRY AND THAT'S IT. THANK GOD IT DIDN'T FAIL WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT. *TR
Mileage: 147,000
20080924STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
ORIGINAL OWNER, 112,000 MILES, NO ACCIDENTS, MECHANICALLY SOUND. FRAME RUST THROUGH AT FRONT CROSSMEMBER. TOTAL FAILURE CAUSING FRONT STEERING AND STABILIZER ARMS TO BE NOT CONNECTED TO FRAME. VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN OR FRONT WHEELS WILL FALL OFF. SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND TOYOTA HAS A "BUY BACK" PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR THE 1995-2000 TACOMA'S FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURES. TRAILERED THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER THAT WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER LOOKING AT IT WHILE IT WAS IN THEIR SERVICE DRIVE AREA... THEY REFERRED ME TO TOYOTA (WHO FILED A FAILURE COMPLAINT 9-23-08) BUT THEY REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THE T100'S AS WELL AS THE TACOMA'S, AND REFUSED ANY COMPENSATION OR CO-OPERATION. THIS FAILURE IS A SERIOUS FAILURE, AND A HAZARD TO LIVES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. IN ALL MY YEARS, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME RUST THROUGH TO THIS FAILURE EXTENT. THE ONLY GOOD THING WAS THAT NO ONE WAS KILLED BY THE FAILURE AND THE WHEELS DID NOT FALL OFF
Mileage: 112,000
20080924SUSPENSION:FRONT
ORIGINAL OWNER, 112,000 MILES, NO ACCIDENTS, MECHANICALLY SOUND. FRAME RUST THROUGH AT FRONT CROSSMEMBER. TOTAL FAILURE CAUSING FRONT STEERING AND STABILIZER ARMS TO BE NOT CONNECTED TO FRAME. VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN OR FRONT WHEELS WILL FALL OFF. SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND TOYOTA HAS A "BUY BACK" PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR THE 1995-2000 TACOMA'S FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURES. TRAILERED THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER THAT WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER LOOKING AT IT WHILE IT WAS IN THEIR SERVICE DRIVE AREA... THEY REFERRED ME TO TOYOTA (WHO FILED A FAILURE COMPLAINT 9-23-08) BUT THEY REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THE T100'S AS WELL AS THE TACOMA'S, AND REFUSED ANY COMPENSATION OR CO-OPERATION. THIS FAILURE IS A SERIOUS FAILURE, AND A HAZARD TO LIVES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. IN ALL MY YEARS, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME RUST THROUGH TO THIS FAILURE EXTENT. THE ONLY GOOD THING WAS THAT NO ONE WAS KILLED BY THE FAILURE AND THE WHEELS DID NOT FALL OFF
Mileage: 112,000
20080924STEERING
ORIGINAL OWNER, 112,000 MILES, NO ACCIDENTS, MECHANICALLY SOUND. FRAME RUST THROUGH AT FRONT CROSSMEMBER. TOTAL FAILURE CAUSING FRONT STEERING AND STABILIZER ARMS TO BE NOT CONNECTED TO FRAME. VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN OR FRONT WHEELS WILL FALL OFF. SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND TOYOTA HAS A "BUY BACK" PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR THE 1995-2000 TACOMA'S FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURES. TRAILERED THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER THAT WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER LOOKING AT IT WHILE IT WAS IN THEIR SERVICE DRIVE AREA... THEY REFERRED ME TO TOYOTA (WHO FILED A FAILURE COMPLAINT 9-23-08) BUT THEY REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THE T100'S AS WELL AS THE TACOMA'S, AND REFUSED ANY COMPENSATION OR CO-OPERATION. THIS FAILURE IS A SERIOUS FAILURE, AND A HAZARD TO LIVES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. IN ALL MY YEARS, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME RUST THROUGH TO THIS FAILURE EXTENT. THE ONLY GOOD THING WAS THAT NO ONE WAS KILLED BY THE FAILURE AND THE WHEELS DID NOT FALL OFF
Mileage: 112,000
20080915SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 1997 TOYOTA T100 P/U, LOCKS UP THE REAR BRAKES WHEN ACCELERATING THEN WHEN SUDDEN STOPPING IS NEEDED THE REAR BRAKES GO FULL FORCE AND FRONT BRAKES ASSIST LITTLE TO NONE. I SUSPECT FAULTY WEIGHT SENSOR AT REAR AXLE. ALREADY REPLACED MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. *TR
Mileage: 53,000
20040514STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
P/N 45451-34010 STEERING LINK, TRUCK HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT, TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE LINK SNAPPED RIGHT BY THE PITMAN ARM, THE LINK SHOWED SIGNS OF INCOMPLETE CASTING ON THE ORIGINAL PIECE.*AK
Mileage: 105,341
20040513STRUCTURE
FIREWALL CRACKED. AS A RESULT, CLUTCH BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK
Mileage: 85,000
20040513POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
FIREWALL CRACKED. AS A RESULT, CLUTCH BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK
Mileage: 85,000
Compare 1997TOYOTATIOO to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 TOYOTA TIOO have?▼
The 1997 TOYOTA TIOO has 13 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 TOYOTA TIOO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 TOYOTA TIOO is STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE and POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1997 TOYOTA TIOO safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.