NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 71 owner complaints for the 1997 Toyota T100. Most complaints involve structure (23) and power train (17). The EPA rates it 15–19 mpg combined.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“The contact owns a 1997 Toyota T100. The contact stated that while performing an oil change on the vehicle, he noticed the sub-frame was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.”
“TOOK TRUCK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR EXHAUST REPAIR. TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRAME TO BE RUSTED BADLY WITH HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME. TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT BY A TOYOTA DEALER BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT COULD GET DANGEROUS. HE ALSO POINTED OUT RUST ON BRAKE LINES AND OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS THAT NEEDED REPLACED SOON. *TR”
“WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T RETURN TO CENTER UPON COMPLETION OF THE TURN. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A MAJOR SAFETY VEHICLE RECALL FOR THIS TRUCK HOWEVER TWO DEALERS IN MERCED AND MODESTO, CALIFORNIA HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS NO SAFETY RECALL. THE 1995 TO 1998 RECALL WAS FOR TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO A BROKEN STEERING ROD. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN CALIFORNIA ONE YEAR AGO AND WE KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN TEXAS. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T100 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,150 | 468 |
| T100 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 18 | $3,350 | 494 |
| T100 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,750 | 555 |
| T100 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $3,750 | 555 |
| T100 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 17 | 16 | $3,750 | 555 |
| T100 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 16 | 15 | $4,000 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (23), power train (17), steering (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Toyota T100 at 15–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).