1998 Toyota Tacoma: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Toyota Tacoma: 1 recall, 300 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #98V188000 · 1998 · 84,323 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Owners will be sent a corrected owner's manual.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 29 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (98): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (78), noise or vibration (2).
- Airbags (46): the most common themes are fails to deploy (22).
- Tires (29): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (28).
- Suspension (28): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (11), noise or vibration (6).
The 1998 Toyota Tacoma has 300 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 32 Tacoma model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 264). Complaints peaked in 1999 (49 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 136,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (131 complaints, 0 recalls), 1999 (249 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Toyota Tacoma problems?
Owners have filed 300 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (98), airbags (46), tires (29).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Toyota Tacoma get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 10 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Toyota Tacoma repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.