IllustrationI WENT TO GET MY TRUCK INSPECTED AND THEY REFUSED TO DO SO, BECAUSE THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK HAS CRACKED. THEY STATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND TO CHECK INTO IT. MY DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS SO OLD. I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tacoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
425–50K
1350–75K
1375–100K
35100–150K
52150K+
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
What owners actually said
300 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME DETERIORATED ON HIS VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PICK OFF CHUNKS OF THE FRAME AND IT EVENTUALLY CRACKED AND SPLIT IN HALF. HE CONSULTED TOYOTA FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF YEARS, BUT WAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECOURSE; THEREFORE, HE SOLD THE VEHICLE. MOST R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME DETERIORATED ON HIS VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PICK OFF CHUNKS OF THE FRAME AND IT EVENTUALLY CRACKED AND SPLIT IN HALF. HE CONSULTED TOYOTA FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF YEARS, BUT WAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECOURSE; THEREFORE, HE SOLD THE VEHICLE. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT A BUYBACK OF 813,000 TOYOTA TACOMAS, MODEL YEARS 1995-2000 FOR THE FRAME. HE WAS OFFERED $675 FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86000. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN UPDATED 05/20/08
I OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. RECENTLY TOYOTA DIDN'T PERFORM A RECALL BUT A GOOD FAITH SERVICE FOR RUSTING AND BREAKING FRAMES. MY FRAME HAD RECENTLY BROKE CAUSING ME TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE, TOYOTA AND I HAVE WENT BACK AND FORTH ON THIS SINCE MAY OF 2005. IN FEBRUARY OF 2008 THEY HAVE CAME OUT AND SAID THAT THEIR 1995-2000(170,0…
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I OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. RECENTLY TOYOTA DIDN'T PERFORM A RECALL BUT A GOOD FAITH SERVICE FOR RUSTING AND BREAKING FRAMES. MY FRAME HAD RECENTLY BROKE CAUSING ME TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE, TOYOTA AND I HAVE WENT BACK AND FORTH ON THIS SINCE MAY OF 2005. IN FEBRUARY OF 2008 THEY HAVE CAME OUT AND SAID THAT THEIR 1995-2000(170,000 TOTAL) TOYOTA TACOMA'S DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER RUST PROTECTOR AND IT WAS CAUSING MASS DETERIORATION AND POSSIBLE FRAME BREAKING. *TR
1998 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP WITH MAJOR ROT ON FRAME. A 2 FOOT PIECE OF FRAME FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE WHEEL WELL AND THE OTHER SIDE WAS CRACKED ALMOST THROUGH. THE TRUCK WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. *TR
I TOOK MY TRUCK FOR PA INSPECTION AND I GOT A CALL AT WORK THAT MY TRUCK HAD FAILED DUE TO THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND THERE IS A LOT OF SURFACE RUST. THE REPAIR FACILITY CUT OUT THE PIECE OF FRAME AND REPLACED IT WITH NEW METAL. *TR
FRAME OF 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA SPLIT DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK. TRUCK WAS IN OTHERWISE VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAD TRUCK CHECKED BY 2 MECHANICS WHO ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT AND THAT IT WAS NOT WORTH FIXING. I ENDED UP SELLING IT AT JUNKYARD FOR $700. I WAS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS AT THE TIME. *TR
FRAME OF 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA SPLIT DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK. TRUCK WAS IN OTHERWISE VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAD TRUCK CHECKED BY 2 MECHANICS WHO ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT AND THAT IT WAS NOT WORTH FIXING. I ENDED UP SELLING IT AT JUNKYARD FOR $700. I WAS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS AT THE TIME. *TR
THE FRAME OF MY 98 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK HAS ROTTED OUT. THE TRUCK IS IN DECENT SHAPE AND RUNS WELL BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED. I'M TOLD DRAINS WERE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE WATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED FOR RESISTANCE TO RUST AND ROTTING. IT'S DANGEROUS. I HAD TO WELD THE FRAME ONCE BEFORE AS…
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THE FRAME OF MY 98 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK HAS ROTTED OUT. THE TRUCK IS IN DECENT SHAPE AND RUNS WELL BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED. I'M TOLD DRAINS WERE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE WATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED FOR RESISTANCE TO RUST AND ROTTING. IT'S DANGEROUS. I HAD TO WELD THE FRAME ONCE BEFORE AS WELL. *TR
EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST ON MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA LEAD TO THE CAB BREAKING FROM IT BODY MOUNTS AND CRASHING ONTO THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, ALL BUT ONE OF THE FRAME MOUNTS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAVE SINCE BROKEN CAUSING THE TANK TO DROP. ALSO, FRAME SHOWS RUST PENETRATION THROUGHOUT AND LARGE DIAMETER HOLES ARE VISIBLE IN THE…
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EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST ON MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA LEAD TO THE CAB BREAKING FROM IT BODY MOUNTS AND CRASHING ONTO THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, ALL BUT ONE OF THE FRAME MOUNTS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAVE SINCE BROKEN CAUSING THE TANK TO DROP. ALSO, FRAME SHOWS RUST PENETRATION THROUGHOUT AND LARGE DIAMETER HOLES ARE VISIBLE IN THE LOAD BEARING MEMBERS. SUSPENSION MOUNTS, SHACKLES, AND THE ACCESSORY FRAMES HARDWARE IS SEVERELY CORRODED AS WELL. *TR
I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA AND THE CAP ON THE BED STARTED TO HIT THE CAB OF THE TRUCK ONE DAY. I INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE FRAME HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY ON BOTH SIDES. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A TEMP FIX BUT THERE IS NOTHING GOOD OF THE FRAME TO WELD ANYTHING TO. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS TYP…
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I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA AND THE CAP ON THE BED STARTED TO HIT THE CAB OF THE TRUCK ONE DAY. I INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE FRAME HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY ON BOTH SIDES. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A TEMP FIX BUT THERE IS NOTHING GOOD OF THE FRAME TO WELD ANYTHING TO. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS TYPE OF COMPONENT FAILURE IT WILL MOST LIKELY RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE FRAME NOR DO I THINK ITS EXPECTED OF ANY OF US WITH THIS PROBLEM TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURES DEFECT!! SO AS FOR NOW I AM STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT IS WORTHLESS. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE FROM THIS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE!!!! *TR
Official recalls
198V188000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.