1998 Toyota Corolla
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 225
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 225 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1989 | 23 |
| 1990 | 27 |
| 1991 | 73 |
| 1992 | 65 |
| 1993 | 134 |
| 1994 | 184 |
| 1995 | 176 |
| 1996 | 129 |
| 1997 | 135 |
| 1998 | 225 |
| 1999 | 155 |
| 2000 | 145 |
| 2001 | 133 |
| 2002 | 117 |
| 2003 | 720 |
| 2004 | 477 |
| 2005 | 853 |
| 2006 | 840 |
| 2007 | 836 |
| 2008 | 314 |
| 2009 | 1,459 |
| 2010 | 1,244 |
| 2011 | 584 |
| 2012 | 446 |
| 2013 | 201 |
| 2014 | 268 |
| 2015 | 220 |
| 2016 | 214 |
| 2017 | 178 |
| 2018 | 134 |
| 2019 | 203 |
| 2020 | 308 |
| 2021 | 186 |
| 2022 | 99 |
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2024 | 64 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
28% · 64 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle has been involved in two accident in which the air bags failed to deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-09
Driver was hit on the driver's side at a considerable speed in such that the door was bent away from the frame of the vehicle, the side airbag did not deploy, and driver sustained injuries to the neck and left shoulder (Strained muscles and...
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-10-21
Consumer was rear ended, resulting in a frontal collision in which the driver's or passenger's air bags did not deploy. Please give any further details.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-07-29
Structure
11% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing door and body.
Vehicle speed control
8% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
Steering
8% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing tie rod assembly and hydraulic power assist system.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota Corolla. While driving approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly seized and the driver was not able to turn the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-04-27
Seat belts
8% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing anchorage and front.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
-
R
2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…
Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.
-
R
2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…
Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
-
R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 64 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 24 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 18 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Toyota Corolla reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Toyota Corolla is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Toyota Corolla?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Corolla have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.