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1998 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

119 reports with mileage · 181 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 98 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

49 crash reports0 fire reports25 injury reports

Structure complaints

98 reports
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209,000 miles · May 4, 2016
StructureUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT MY '98 TOYOTA TACOMA IN 2000. SINCE THAT PURCHASE I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING ANY RECALLS OR SAFELY ISSUES. I HAVE ONLY MOVED ONCE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND THAT WAS IN 2003. SO I FEEL THAT TOYOTA MADE NO HONEST EFFORT TO CONTACT ME REGARDING ANY ISSUES SO I SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADDRESS AND HAVE RE…

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I BOUGHT MY '98 TOYOTA TACOMA IN 2000. SINCE THAT PURCHASE I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING ANY RECALLS OR SAFELY ISSUES. I HAVE ONLY MOVED ONCE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND THAT WAS IN 2003. SO I FEEL THAT TOYOTA MADE NO HONEST EFFORT TO CONTACT ME REGARDING ANY ISSUES SO I SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADDRESS AND HAVE REPAIRED ANY PROBLEMS THAT WERE RECALLED SUCH AS THE CORRODING FRAME. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT TOYOTA CONVENIENTLY LET FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

NHTSA ODI #10863004

312,000 miles · Apr 22, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 312,000.

NHTSA ODI #10860914

319,552 miles · Apr 12, 2016
StructureWheels

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 REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEA…

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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 REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 319,552.

NHTSA ODI #10855100

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2016
Structure

FRAME OF TRUCK FROM FRONT CAB MOUNT TO BACK SIDE OF REAR SPRING PERCHES IS RUSTED AND PERFORATED MAKING TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10840034

160,000 miles · Oct 13, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION WHICH RESULTED IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION WHICH RESULTED IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE RECALL BEING CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10781728

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE HAVING A STATE INSPECTION PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING CORRODED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WATER WOULD ACCUMULATE ON THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO CORRODE. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE HAVING A STATE INSPECTION PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING CORRODED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WATER WOULD ACCUMULATE ON THE FRAME CAUSING IT TO CORRODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10760807

150,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
StructureSuspension

FRAME RUSTED OUT CAUSING LEAFSPRING TO SINK INTO FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678833

199,000 miles · Jan 19, 2015
StructureSuspension

WHEN CHECKING TO SEE IF MY SHOCKS NEED TO BE REPLACED I FIND I HAVE A RUSTED FRAME ABOVE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND IN FRONT OF LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THIS WAS THE FIRST I HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE OF IT. A FRIEND ADVISED ME THERE WAS A RECALL SO I CALLED TOYOTA. I WAS ADVISED THEY STILL HAD THE PREVIOUS OWNERS INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED …

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WHEN CHECKING TO SEE IF MY SHOCKS NEED TO BE REPLACED I FIND I HAVE A RUSTED FRAME ABOVE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND IN FRONT OF LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THIS WAS THE FIRST I HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE OF IT. A FRIEND ADVISED ME THERE WAS A RECALL SO I CALLED TOYOTA. I WAS ADVISED THEY STILL HAD THE PREVIOUS OWNERS INFORMATION EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALER ON 2/11/2005. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP. THE TRUCK IS STILL A GOOD 4WD TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676551

315,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Structure

THIS TRUCK BELONGS TO MY SON WHO IS IN THE NAVY. HE WAS ON DEPLOYMENT AND I TOOK THE TRUCK TO GET IT INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO A RUSTED FRAME. NEITHER MYSELF NOR MY SON WERE AWARE OF THE FRAME RECALL DONE BY TOYOTA. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HELP US WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED. WE HAVE O…

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THIS TRUCK BELONGS TO MY SON WHO IS IN THE NAVY. HE WAS ON DEPLOYMENT AND I TOOK THE TRUCK TO GET IT INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO A RUSTED FRAME. NEITHER MYSELF NOR MY SON WERE AWARE OF THE FRAME RECALL DONE BY TOYOTA. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HELP US WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED. WE HAVE OWNED 3 TOYOTA TACOMA'S AND NEVER HAVE HAD AN EXPERIENCE SUCH AS THIS. THEY TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR COMPANY IF I WASN'T HAPPY WITH THE END RESULT AND I OF COURSE AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. MY SON SERVES THIS COUNTRY AND NOW HE IS OUT A VEHICLE AND CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640375

123,595 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Structure

WHEN TRUCK WAS ON LIFT AT MEINEKE, THEY DISCOVERED THE FRAME NEAR THE BACK WHEELS WAS RUSTED THROUGH SO THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT. IMMEDIATELY, I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR THE SAME REASON. THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON TOYOTA BODY FRAMES WHEN I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE TO…

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WHEN TRUCK WAS ON LIFT AT MEINEKE, THEY DISCOVERED THE FRAME NEAR THE BACK WHEELS WAS RUSTED THROUGH SO THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT. IMMEDIATELY, I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR THE SAME REASON. THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON TOYOTA BODY FRAMES WHEN I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TWO DIFFERENT TIMES IN TWO DIFFERENT YEARS AND WAS TOLD THE BODY WAS FINE. ONE YEAR AND 2 OR 3 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WAS OVER, I AM TOLD THAT MY TRUCK'S FRAME RUST MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I ONLY HAVE 123,595 MILES ON IT AND EXPECTED TO DRIVE IT FOR AT LEAST 2-400,000 MORE. EVERY AUTO SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT HAS EVER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD HAS TOLD ME I HAVE KEPT IT IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. SHOULDN'T TOYOTA EXTEND THE RECALL IN MY PARTICULAR CASE? I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT IN 2006 WHEN IT HAD 64004 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637161

Official recalls

1

98V188000 · Air BAGS:ON-OFF Switch Assembly

Aug 6, 1998

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.