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1998 Toyota Tacoma problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Toyota Tacoma is body and structure, typically around 135,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Tacoma model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
300
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
84
Worst area
Body
Fuel economy
16-21mpg

The worst 1998 Toyota Tacoma problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Toyota Tacoma

No deployment 26Tire blowout 15Ball joint 5

Recalls 1

Air bags: on-off switch assemblyReported August 6, 1998 · 84,323 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 98V188000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma 84

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 84 bulletins for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma

1998 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylRWD1922-2520-21
2.7L 4‑cylRWD172219
3.4L 6‑cylRWD16-1721-2218-19
2.7L 4‑cyl4WD162017-18
3.4L 6‑cyl4WD151816

What 1998 Toyota Tacoma owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 12, 2025 · Body · 164,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Body, Suspension · 130,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while inspecting the subframe of the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stated that the failure had increased significantly. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as an unknown recall had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Airbags · FL · crash

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).

Filed Mar 15, 2022 · ID

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.

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Body · 106,995 miles · VA

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

Filed Mar 6, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · CA

Bought a vehicle from a woman off of craigslist. Met her in an unfamiliar area. Woman stated the vehicle was in good condition and runs perfect. Woman would not allow us to test drive the vehicle. My husband insisted on checking the VIN on carfax and she quickly pulled out an outdated title. The vehicle's odometer reading stated approximately 166,000 miles. After the transaction of $5000.00 was completed in cash. She quickly left with a heavyset hispanic male that was with her. My husband looked at carfax and the last reported mileage on carfax for the VIN number was approximately 278,000 miles for that vehicle. The woman quickly blocked out phone numbers. About an hour later she had her number unblocked. We called her from a different number and acted as though I was ready to purchase a vehicle from her and she stated she had another vehicle, and could meet me at the same location (not knowing it was me) not only was the odometer reading false, the vehicle was not driveable and completely unsafe. The transmission was broken.

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Body · NJ

Frame is very bad shape due to rust problem and broken

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Body · 289,000 miles · OR

My son was driving his 1998 toyota tacoma down the highway when the frame separated in half. Luckily he was able to slowly pull the vehicle over to the side and get it off of the road without harm to himself or others. The truck was later trailered to a friends house where a temporary brace was welded on. We later brought the truck to a dealership who took one look at the frame and said we were not driving that truck home it was extremely rusted beyond its years. The dealership gave us a rental car for the evening until they heard back from toyota who refused to replace the frame because the program had expired. Unfortunately I am on able to purchase a new vehicle for my son. I did my due diligence when I purchased the truck and pulled a carfax on it and there was no report of a recall, I did not look underneath to check for frame damage as the truck had a clean title and there did not seem to be a reason.

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Seat belts · 200,000 miles · AR

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.

Filed Dec 20, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 205,000 miles · TX

The wiring harness cable from the sensors to the computer burnout and the seatbelts doesn't respond right especially with his unraveling and doesn't lock good or pool and the master cylinder it's not function correctly either it's like it's not stopping the brakes are not stopping I know the vehicle is old but still this is a defect and very has for the drivers of all the vehicles my 1998 toyota tacoma sr5 2.4 liter 2 wheel drive

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1998 Toyota Tacoma before you buy

Compare the 1998 Toyota Tacoma

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1998 Toyota Tacoma

Is the 1998 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Owners have filed 300 complaints about the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, close to a typical Tacoma model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?

Body and structure, with 98 complaints, typically around 135,000 miles. Next is airbags (46).

How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

What year does the Toyota Tacoma have the most body problems?

The Toyota Tacoma model years with the most body complaints are 2005 (260 complaints), 2006 (242 complaints) and 2001 (228 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma range from 16 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 19 city and 22-25 highway.

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