1998 Toyota Corolla problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 278 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Corolla year — the 1998 model ranks #16 of 55 Corolla years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 37 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (64), body & structure (24), and electrical system (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

278

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Corolla years?

Corolla NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corolla years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Toyota Corolla problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	64	23%	▲ up
Body & Structure	24	9%	▲ up
Electrical System	20	7%	▲ up
Engine	19	7%	▲ up
Suspension	19	7%	▲ up
Steering	18	6%	▲ up
Speed Control	18	6%	▲ up
Seat Belts	17	6%	▼ down
Brakes	16	6%	▲ up
Fuel System	13	5%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	13	5%	▲ up
Transmission	9	3%	▲ up
Other	8	3%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	6	2%	▲ up
Lighting	6	2%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	5	2%	— flat
Seats	3	1%	▲ up

Does the 1998 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIB, FRACTURED BONE AND WHIPLASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 15, 2010 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 30 MPH HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. *AK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. *YH”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 26, 2000 · crash

“ENGINE STARTER MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER ENGINE HAS STARTED. STARTER CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN AFTER ENGINE WAS STOPPED AND KEY WAS REMOVED. STARTER MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. CAR NOW INOP. SOME WIRING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. STARTER MOTOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT WITH REMANUFACTURED STARTER MOTOR IF AVAILABLE. *NM”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 3, 2005 · fire

“VEHICLE'S INNER ROD BROKE CAUSING ENGINE MOTOR TO BLOW.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED A TICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INNER ROD BROKE AND CAUSED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“I HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT A TOYOTA COROLLA 1998 AND EVERY TIME I TURN TO THE RIGHT I CAN HEAR A GRINDING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND I FEAR IT WILL COME OFF AND CAUSE A ACCIDENT. I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID TOYOTA HAD PROBLEMS WITH A BEARING ON THAT SIDE, WOULD YOU HELP ME…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 21, 2008

1998 Toyota Corolla — common questions

Is the 1998 Toyota Corolla reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 278 complaints put the 1998 model at #16 of 55 Corolla years. It is one of the Corolla years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Corolla problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (64 complaints), body & structure (24 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints).

Does the 1998 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Toyota Corolla. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Corolla years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Corolla years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2007, 2005, 2006, 2003, 2011, 2004, 2012, 2020, 2014, 2008, 2016, 2015, 2019, 1998, 2017, 2013, 2021, 1995, 2018. The cleanest record among Corolla years belongs to 1978.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1998 compare to other Corolla years?

What are the most common 1998 Toyota Corolla problems?

Does the 1998 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1998 Toyota Corolla — common questions

Is the 1998 Toyota Corolla reliable?

What are the most common 1998 Corolla problems?

Does the 1998 Toyota Corolla have recalls?

Which Toyota Corolla years should you avoid?

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