VehicleVerdict

1998 Toyota Tacoma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Toyota Tacoma sits mid-pack among Tacoma years: 358 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 301, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 34 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 99 reports (28% of the total).

358

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

56

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

34

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Tacoma years?

Tacoma NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted977 complaints1995: 214 complaints1996: 321 complaints1997: 148 complaints1998: 358 complaints1999: 303 complaints2000: 274 complaints2001: 504 complaints2002: 443 complaints2003: 479 complaints2004: 545 complaints2005: 871 complaints2006: 977 complaints2007: 676 complaints2008: 556 complaints2009: 612 complaints2010: 343 complaints2011: 226 complaints2012: 406 complaints2013: 169 complaints2014: 133 complaints2015: 140 complaints2016: 416 complaints2017: 318 complaints2018: 275 complaints2019: 299 complaints2020: 124 complaints2021: 113 complaints2022: 77 complaints2023: 65 complaints2024: 182 complaints2025: 89 complaints2026: 10 complaints
Tacoma NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tacoma years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Toyota Tacoma problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure9928%
Airbags4713%
Tires & Wheels3710%
Suspension308%
Brakes257%
Seat Belts236%
Other175%
Speed Control175%
Engine164%
Steering123%
Transmission113%
Electrical System72%
Lighting62%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Fuel System31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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 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

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.

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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 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

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.

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.

98V188000AirbagsAugust 6, 1998 · 84,323 units

Defect

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 REQUEST FORM IN APPENDIX B......IS OCCUPYING THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEATING POSITION..." IS MIS-STATED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

IF THE AIR BAG SWITCH IS "OFF," THE SEAT OCCUPANT WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE PASSENGER RISK GROUP WOULD BE SUBJECT TO INCREASED INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE SENT A CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE WAS INVOVED IN A LOW IMPACT ACCIDENT, APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $4000 IN DAMAGES. BELEIVED BUMPER WAS NOT CONSTRUCTED PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 7, 1998 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOT PROTECTING THE OCCUPANT IN THE CRASH. THE DRIVER SEATBELT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO GO THRU THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING INJURIES TO OCCUPANT. MFR STATES THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT SYSTEM WORK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 5, 1999 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED BY THE REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 3, 2016

“CHASIS/LEAF SPRING/REAR AXLE IS DEFECTIVE, THE VEHICLE LEANS OVER A ONE INCH DEGREE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE, NO ONE HAS TO BE IN THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPRING AND FIXED UP THE BED LEVEL, VEHICLE STILL LEANS OVER ONE HALF INCH WITHOUT ANYONE IN. DEALER CONTACTED SIX TIMES OR MORE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 1, 1998

“WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE , AND RESULTING IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK SHOULDER HARNESS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 9, 2000 · crash

1998 Toyota Tacoma — common questions

Is the 1998 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tacoma: 358 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 Tacoma problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (99 complaints), airbags (47 complaints), tires & wheels (37 complaints).

Does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Tacoma years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tacoma years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among Tacoma years belongs to 2026.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.