Complaints
358
Crashes
56
Fires
0
Injuries
34
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Toyota Tacoma Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#130 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:137,000 mi
Crash-related:29
#230 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:197,393 mi
#330 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
Avg mileage:135,215 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 30 | 29 | — | 137,000 mi | |
| Body Structure | 30 | — | — | 197,393 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 30 | — | — | 135,215 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 28 | — | — | 93,860 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 14 | — | — | 140,609 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 14 | — | — | 176,312 mi | |
| Airbags | 13 | 10 | — | 172,947 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 13 | 3 | — | 157,441 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 9 | — | — | 246,500 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | — | 27,869 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | — | — | 178,833 mi | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — |
Air Bags:Frontal
30
complaints
Crashes
29
Fires
—
Avg Miles
137,000
Body Structure
30
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
197,393
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
30
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
135,215
Structure:Frame And Members
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,860
Tire Defects
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
140,609
Suspension Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
176,312
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
172,947
Unintended Acceleration
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
157,441
Tires:Tread/Belt
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
246,500
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,869
Structure:Body:Bumpers
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
178,833
Air Bags:Side/Window
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Toyota Tacoma Years
1998 Toyota Tacoma — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Toyota Tacoma has 358 NHTSA complaints, 56 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 30 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (30 complaints, avg 137,000 mi); Body Structure (30 complaints, avg 197,393 mi); Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields (30 complaints, avg 135,215 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 149,149 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma include 56 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 34 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Tacoma reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Toyota Tacoma
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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