1998 Toyota Corolla: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 225 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (26% of complaints); the 1996 and 1997 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 225 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact's wife owns a 1998 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while his wife was taking items out of the trunk of the vehicle, the trunk lid closed abruptly. The contact later noticed that the trunk lid driver's side hinge was fractured. The contact's wife did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the trunk lid hinges needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.”Owner report · Structure · May 2022
“Air bag light stays on. When I looked up any recalls on this year of toyota, there were alot of complaints and no fixes. I think toyota should fix this safety problem with the air bags, it is a big deal not feelig safe on the road. The light came on when we were driving. We tried to reset it but has no effect. There are a lot of complaints on the 1998 toyota corolla.this is not a coincidence, it is a safety hazzard that needs to be addressed by the manufacuturer. Toyota needs to step up and fix the problem, it is there fault. Any help would be appreciated.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“Takata airbag recall my 1998 toyota corolla is listed as one of the cars effected by the takata airbag recall. Today I noted a blinking light on my dash board for the airbag. Please advise.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Starter did not stop cranking, although ignition was turned off and key was removed. Continued cranking until after large amount of black smoke billowed from engine. Eventually stopped before catching fire. Found main engine wire harness melted, charred:; starter charred: battery case melted; battery wire melted. Unable to roll window back up, even after reconnecting battery. Required tow home.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2015
“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. The contact also stated that the speed independently increased and caused the vehicle to crash into a second vehicle. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. Updated 8/21/15*cn updated 12/4/2015*js”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota corolla. The contact stated that both the driver and the passenger side seat belts would not retract after being utilized. In addition, the passenger side seat belt failed to retract at all. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000. Updated 4/30/15*cn the consumer stated the seat belts were replaced. The consumer stated the reason the seat belt failure, was because prior to purchasing the vehicle, it was in an accident; updated 05/07/15*jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota corolla equipped with michelin radial xdt tires, size p185/65/r14. The contact stated that all of the tires were wearing prematurely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that all four tires needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The tires were replaced. The dot number and the VIN number were unavailable. The tire failure mileage was 58,000. The failure and current mileage of the vehicle was 172,000.”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota corolla. While driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2013
“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 mileages were approximately 167,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2010
“1998 toyota corolla. Accelerated on its own. On august 20, 1999, the consumer complained about a rubbing sound in the area of the right rear tire when the brakes were applied early in the mornings. The mechanic could not find anything wrong. The door panels were replaced due to the glue coming through the fabric. The dome light would not come on at times. The consumer suspected there may be an electrical problem. *jb the consumer stated while driving at a speed of 44 mph, the vehicle would accelerate and then decrease in speed. The consumer first noticed the problem when the air conditioner was on. Updated 05/26/10.*jb”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 36 of these complaints and injuries in 29 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Corolla by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Toyota Corolla reliable?
NHTSA has 225 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Toyota Corolla. The most complained-about area is air bags (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Corolla problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Toyota Corolla have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.