1998 Toyota Tacoma: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 300 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (32% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Campaign: 10030357-0006 (Frame Corrosion-Preventative Compound); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2025
“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. Now I realized the never saw that sensor on my truck, and want to know what is happening with my truck if other vehicles are involved in the same situation. Sincerely: [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2022
“Left and right Frame members forward of the rear leaf spring mounts are severely rusted. According to the Toyota dealership who inspected it, the frame is compromised and their is a potential for structural failure in a collision. I purchased the vehicle in October of 2020 from the original owner who maintained it in immaculate condition. The rusted areas are not very obvious while inspecting the outside of the frame, however the interior portions have severe damage. I contacted Toyota Brand Enhancement, on the dealerships recommendation and was told they would not assist based on the lack of a recall.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I bought a 1998 toyota tacoma 4x4 automatic with 106995 on the odometer and I am having a hard time getting it inspected because of the right side rear frame is tested to bad”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2020
“The driver side seat belt started fraying and after while locked up ,would not retracted or pull out. Now the passenger side is fraying and now it is locked up, it does not matter if the engine is running or not it will not retracted or pull out.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2019
“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. The manufacturer now refuses to rectify the situation.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2017
“The tacoma has developed significant rust around the passenger side rear lead spring bracket. The bracket is beginning to pull away from the frame and the vehicle is no longer usable as a result, this is very discouraging as this vehicle has been maintained well and currently has 250k miles on it. All other parts of this vehicle is in very good shape.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2017
“Frame perforation aka rust through problem failed pa inspection this week. Garage notified me of known tacoma frame rust problems. Toyota dealer says its too late but I was not aware of this hazard that toyota seems to be well aware of. Body shop will not touch this problem of rust through above spring leaf mounts due to liability concerns. This seems like toyota's problem to solve. Please help!”Owner report · Structure · May 2017
“The frame of the 1998 toyota tacoma xtracab truck we own has severe rust issues to the point that it is not safe to drive. I have attached 4 pictures total with 2 of the pictures showing the damage to the cab from movement there are other areas that are rusted worse, but can not get good pics of. We live midwest, a area that salt is not a factor. We notced this damage after feeling that the bed was moving.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2017
“I received a safety recall letter in 2011 regarding a tacoma frame rust corrosion issue. I opened a case and had my toyota inspected on 5/20/11 by a toyota dealership. They said the frame had passed inspection. On 12/02/11 toyota performed a body frame undercoating on the vehicle. Fast forward to 2017. I found a small hole in the frame that was inspected by toyota and deemed safe. I contacted toyota and they said since the safety recall on the frame has passed there was nothing they can do about it. The internet is full of other stories of toyota's with rusting frames. I feel it is now unsafe to drive and/or sell to someone.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 49 of these complaints and injuries in 29 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL.
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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma reliable?
NHTSA has 300 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The most complained-about area is structure (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Tacoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 138,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.