1998 Toyota Tacoma
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
- 300
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
33% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 300 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 177 |
| 1996 | 253 |
| 1997 | 131 |
| 1998 | 300 |
| 1999 | 249 |
| 2000 | 210 |
| 2001 | 396 |
| 2002 | 333 |
| 2003 | 360 |
| 2004 | 414 |
| 2005 | 707 |
| 2006 | 782 |
| 2007 | 541 |
| 2008 | 445 |
| 2009 | 519 |
| 2010 | 293 |
| 2011 | 186 |
| 2012 | 295 |
| 2013 | 125 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 101 |
| 2016 | 323 |
| 2017 | 239 |
| 2018 | 206 |
| 2019 | 216 |
| 2020 | 88 |
| 2021 | 79 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 151 |
| 2025 | 100 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
33% · 99 reportsMost commonly citing underbody shields and body.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the subframe was severely corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-02-12
The problem with my truck is that there is sever corrosion on the frame making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Toyota has previously acknowledged and attempted to correct this problem however their attempt (Undercoating) failed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-30
Air bags
16% · 47 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
I had an accident over a year ago and the airbags did not deploy then I ask the guy that fixed it told me that it didn't have the sensor on the front of my truck, and I wonder why.
NHTSA ODI report, 2022-07-15
Vehicle was stopped in traffic attempting a left turn. Vehicle was rear ended by a driver not paying attention, sent airborne, flipped several times forward and sideways, then hit a parked car.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-08-15
My truck was traveling in middle lane of interstate when traffic on the right was slowing down to exit and another truck in the lane next to me on the right did not slow down and swerved into the middle lane failing to yield causing my truck to...
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-07
Suspension
10% · 30 reportsMost commonly citing front and leaf spring assembly.
Tires
10% · 29 reportsMost commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.
Seat belts
8% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing retractor and anchorage.
Show complaint excerpts
Consumer was driving at approx 20 MPH hit another vehicle head on.seat belt did not hold, locked up. Due to this defect, it caused the consumer to hit windshield ,shattered glass. Also caused neck injuries.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-09-30
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1998Complaint volume 300 complaints filed for this model year.
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1998-11-16Air bags98V188000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The statement required in the owner's manual that "...the on-off switch should only ben used when a member of a passenger risk group identified in the…
Remedy: Owners will be sent a corrected owner's manual.
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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.
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2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…
Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
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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.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 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: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 99 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 47 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 30 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 98V188000 · Air bags
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Toyota Tacoma is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have?
- 5 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.