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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 177 |
| 1996 | 253 |
| 1997 | 131 |
| 1998 | 300 |
| 1999 | 249 |
| 2000 | 210 |
| 2001 | 396 |
| 2002 | 333 |
| 2003 | 359 |
| 2004 | 414 |
| 2005 | 707 |
| 2006 | 782 |
| 2007 | 540 |
| 2008 | 445 |
| 2009 | 518 |
| 2010 | 290 |
| 2011 | 183 |
| 2012 | 294 |
| 2013 | 124 |
| 2014 | 92 |
| 2015 | 100 |
| 2016 | 323 |
| 2017 | 237 |
| 2018 | 199 |
| 2019 | 209 |
| 2020 | 85 |
| 2021 | 76 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2023 | 48 |
| 2024 | 138 |
| 2025 | 69 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
10% of complaints: structure — 30 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: structure — 30 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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, 20171130
10% of complaints: air bags — 30 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20030407
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 50 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19980514
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED . POWDER FROM THE BAG EXPLODED OUT, CHOKING THE DRIVER. OWNER WILL BE CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19980204
9% of complaints: structure — 28 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: tires — 17 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 REQUES
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL.
Campaign 98V188000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 N
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.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for structure issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V188000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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:frame and members:underbody shields, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.