1998 Toyota Tacoma

Family: Tacoma · filed with NHTSA as PRERUNNER, TACOMA

Summary

In its first three years the 1998 Tacoma drew 112 complaints — 1.7× the median of its generation (1996–2004). It is among the most-complained-about years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Body & Structure, holds 34% of the 292 that name a component.
5 recalls filed for this model year.
No federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 302
Recalls: 5
Investigations: 0
NCAP overall: Not rated
Combined MPG: 16–21
Annual fuel cost: $2,950–$3,900
Median mileage at complaint: 136,000 mi (n = 120)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 49 / 0 / 29 / 1

What owners report

Body & Structure

98 complaints · 34% of complaints that name a component · median 135,000 mi (n = 68)

Owner report 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-P…

Owner report 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

Airbags

46 complaints · 16% of complaints that name a component · median 200,000 mi (n = 6)

Owner report 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 th…

Owner report VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A DRIVER NOT PAYING ATTENTION, SENT AIRBORNE, FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS, THEN HIT A PARKED CAR. AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVER OF VEHICLE.

Wheels & Tires

34 complaints · 12% of complaints that name a component · median 246,500 mi (n = 4)

Owner report THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AT A SPEED BETWEEN 60-65 ML/HR, WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING POP. WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN AT THE OFF RAMP, THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO THE RIGHT, AFTER PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO WALMART WERE I PURCHASED THE TIRES AND EXPLAINED TO THE INTAKE TECHNICIAN OF THE S…

Owner report MY TRUCK HAD BEEN VIBRATING REALLY BAD I WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON I20 WHEN I HEARD A POP THEN IT SOUNDED LIKE MY TIRE BLOW OUT SO I PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THAT MY TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM MY TIRE AND HAD TORN UP MY PASSAGE SIDE OF MY TRUCK. *JB

3% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (1996–2004)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 66.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
1996	253	70
1997	134	30	not compared
1998	302	112	most complaints
1999	256	75
2000	211	63
2001	403	30	not compared
2002	339	52
2003	360	43	not compared
2004	415	51

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

09E025000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Filed 2009-05-11 · 42,540 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2009-04-07 · 16,270 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E049000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2006-05-24 · 27,176 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

06E026000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2006-03-23 · 61,944 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

98V188000 · AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY

Filed 1998-08-06 · 84,323 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Federal investigations

None on file.

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Tacoma 2WD	2.4L 4cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	19	22	20	$3100
Tacoma 2WD	2.4L 4cyl	Manual 5-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	19	25	21	$2950
Tacoma 2WD	2.7L 4cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	17	22	19	$3300
Tacoma 2WD	3.4L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	17	22	19	$3300
Tacoma 2WD	3.4L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	16	21	18	$3450
Tacoma 2WD	3.4L 6cyl	Manual 5-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	17	22	19	$3300
Tacoma 4WD	2.7L 4cyl	Automatic 4-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	16	20	18	$3450
Tacoma 4WD	2.7L 4cyl	Manual 5-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	16	20	17	$3650
Tacoma 4WD	3.4L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	15	18	16	$3900
Tacoma 4WD	3.4L 6cyl	Manual 5-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	15	18	16	$3900

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
1998 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 93 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about equipment.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2024-01-22	EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.
2023-08-17	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the re…
2022-03-17	BACK OVER PREVENTION	TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
2022-01-12	TIRES	POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any custom…
2022-01-12	WHEELS	POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any custom…
2021-03-17	AIR BAGS	Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
2021-03-17	AIR BAGS	Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
2021-03-12	SERVICE BRAKES	TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
2021-02-03	EQUIPMENT	TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the re…
2020-12-14	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Tacoma, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Tacoma model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.