1998 Toyota TACOMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
228 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
136,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 119 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 228 complaints (13.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 30 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 30 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 28 |
| Tires | 16 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 |
| Seat Belts | 13 |
| Suspension | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
Structure:Body: 30; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 30; Structure:Frame And Members: 28; Tires: 16; Air Bags:Frontal: 14; Seat Belts: 13; Suspension: 13; Unknown Or Other: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 52 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 52
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (52). 109 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 40 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 40; 2001: 16; 2002: 14; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 7; 2007: 18; 2008: 30; 2009: 2; 2010: 11; 2011: 6; 2012: 6; 2013: 7; 2014: 10; 2015: 11; 2016: 15; 2017: 13; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10106226 · 2005-01-12 (January 12, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY LEFT TURN SIGINAL DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN I PUT IT ON. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGINAL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES. THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGINAL WORKED PROPERLY. I BEGAN AN ELECTRICAL INSPECTION: WHEN MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS WORKED, BUT SO DID MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS WHEN THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE ON. BEING A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM AND THE SAID THAT THE REA…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,953 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10311081 · 2010-02-16 (February 16, 2010)
TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK 1998, MY SON DIED IN THE ACCIDENT 2 YEARS AGO, ACCORDING POLICE REPORT SAID HE FELL ASLEEP IN THE WHEEL BUT THE CAR NEVER WAS AN ISSUE BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE RECALL MAYBE IT WAS THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10311081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141341 · 2005-10-31 (October 31, 2005)
1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 REG CAB THERE IS A KNOCK AND PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MOST TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS SAY IT IS NORMAL AND SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ISOLATED TO THE SLIP JOINT IN THE MAIN STEERING COLUMN COMING LOOSE. THIS WAS DONE BY A TOYOTA SERVICE TECH. THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WITH THIS INFORMATION AND WAS FIXED BUT THEY SAY IT WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN DUE NO CHANGE IN DESIGN BY TOYOTA. THE SLIP JOINT IS CRIMPED OVER THE SHAFT, AND AFTER USE IT BECOMES LOOSE CAUSING PLAY IN THE STEERING WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231132 · 2008-06-16 (June 16, 2008)
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED WHILE IN OPERATION. RESULTING IN SEPARATION FROM THE KNUCKLE, CAUSING A COLLAPSE IN THE SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THE COLLAPSE HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDING DRIVE SHAFT AND TIRE DAMAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217542 · 2008-02-09 (February 9, 2008)
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 REG CAB 4 CYL. STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME MY FRAME WAS BREAKING APART.. HE DID THE BEST HE COULD TO WELD THE FRAME BUT TOLD ME IT PROBABLE ONLY HAD A YEAR LEFT.. THIS DISAPPOINTS ME TERRIBLE.. I ALWAYS TRUSTED TOYOTA VEHICLES AND RECOMMEND THEM TO EVERYONE, BUT I AFRAID THAN I NO LONGER CAN DO SO.. I TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND TOYOTA LET ME DOWN.. MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A FORD F 150 WITH A C CHANNEL FRAME NOT BOXED LIKE THE TACOMA... I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU GET A HANDLE ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503199 · 2013-03-15 (March 15, 2013)
NOT LONG AFTER MY BASIC WARRANTY EXPIRED, I HAD FRAYING IN MY SEAT BELT THAT WAS TO THE POINT IT DIDN'T PASS INSPECTION. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN WACO, TEXAS, AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE BELT FREE DESPITE THE MILEAGE. ALMOST A YEAR LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. I WENT BACK TO THAT DEALER AND THEY REPLACED IT FREE EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE OBLIGATION. ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER, THE SAME OCCURRED. I HAVE MANAGED TO GET THE TRUCK INSPECTED BUT I NEED BADLY TO REPAIR THE BELT, BUT I CANNOT AFFORD IT. ALTHOUGH THE WEAR IS NEAR THE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146223 · 2005-12-28 (December 28, 2005)
MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA HAD ITS LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING BREAK JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR DIFFERENCIAL. THIS CAUSE THE LEAFS TO TWIST INWARDS AND RUB AGAINST THE GAS TANK EXPOSING THE BARE METAL OF THE TANK. LUCKLY I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE MECHANIC BEFORE THE RUBBING AGAINST THE TANK WORKED ITS WAY THROUGH POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN EXPLOSION WITH A SPARK. AT THIS TIME I WILL BE REPLACING THE LEAF SPRINGS (AFTER TAKING SOME PHOTOS). I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT NO 2005-12280233 WITH TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. THEIR POSITION IS THAT I WILL HAVE TO BEAR THE COST …
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222058 · 2008-03-23 (March 23, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11162647 · 2018-12-20 (December 20, 2018)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 205,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11162647 at NHTSA ↗