1.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
157,915 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #30

Dec 152020

Tacoma

  • 106,995 miles
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

- Richlands, VA, USA

problem #29

Apr 242019

Tacoma

  • miles
Frame is very bad shape due to rust problem and broken

- Plainfield, NJ, USA

problem #28

Mar 112019

Tacoma

  • 289,000 miles
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.

- Molalla, OR, USA

problem #27

Nov 292017

Tacoma

  • 220,000 miles
The problem with my truck is that there is sever corrosion on the frame making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Toyota has previously acknowledged and attempted to correct this problem however their attempt (undercoating) failed. The manufacturer now refuses to rectify the situation.

- Kittery Point, ME, USA

problem #26

Mar 012016

Tacoma

  • 132,238 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the subframe between the rear axle was severely rusted. The contact was concerned that the vehicle was unsafe. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed by the manufacturer of a buy back program, which had expired. The contact received case numbers: 1505202202 and 1602030551. The failure mileage was 132,238.

- Leon, WV, USA

problem #25

Aug 242017

Tacoma

  • 220,000 miles
I recently bought my 98 Toyota Tacoma extended cab 44. I knew nothing of any frame rust problems or any other problems that Toyota's had. Now I am the proud owner of a good looking truck that I just found out is not only unsafe to drive off road but on road also.yesterday I found that the rear shock, where it mounts on top, had broke throw the frame and after inspecting and doing a quick welding repair just to make it home, that the frame had previously been repaired in other places but only welded new metal over the existing rusting frame.no one has made any attemy to inform me of any problems and from what I'm seeing now it's past the 15 yr deadline. I bought a Toyota because of its dependability but what good is it to have a dependable engine when the frame wasn't prepared to hold up to normal conditions without rusting into.

- Dalton, GA, USA

problem #24

Jun 122017

Tacoma

  • 250,000 miles
The Tacoma has developed significant rust around the passenger side rear lead spring bracket. The bracket is beginning to pull away from the frame and the vehicle is no longer usable as a result, this is very discouraging as this vehicle has been maintained well and currently has 250K miles on it. All other parts of this vehicle is in very good shape.

- Pisgah Forest, NC, USA

problem #23

May 192017

Tacoma

  • miles
Frame perforation aka rust through problem failed pa inspection this week. Garage notified me of known Tacoma frame rust problems. Toyota dealer says its too late but I was not aware of this hazard that Toyota seems to be well aware of. Body shop will not touch this problem of rust through above spring leaf mounts due to liability concerns. This seems like Toyota's problem to solve. Please help!

- York, PA, USA

problem #22

Apr 012017

Tacoma

  • 168,000 miles
The frame of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma xtracab truck we own has severe rust issues to the point that it is not safe to drive. I have attached 4 pictures total with 2 of the pictures showing the damage to the cab from movement there are other areas that are rusted worse, but can not get good pics of. We live midwest, a area that salt is not a factor. We notced this damage after feeling that the bed was moving.

- Seligman, MO, USA

problem #21

Jan 012010

Tacoma

  • 110,000 miles
This vehicles frame is breaking because it lacked adequate corrosion-resistant protection. As a result, it suffers heavily from rust perforation.

- Utica, MI, USA

problem #20

Feb 132017

Tacoma

  • 227,000 miles
Rust recall Toyota car dealership unwilling to "goodwill" fix frame due to not applying rust chemicals on to the frame

- Grover, MO, USA

problem #19

Dec 092016

Tacoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • 153,063 miles
My vehicle has been inspected each year and properly maintained. Inspections and other maintenance have frequently occurred at Toyota dealers by Toyota technicians. My vehicle was undergoing annual inspection December 2016 at a non-Toyota garage and I was advised of a failed inspection due to structural integrity issues caused by severe rusting on the frame of the truck. I was also advised to cease driving the truck as it is now considered a danger to myself and, I assume, to other motorists. The technician suggested that there may have been a recall for this problem. I called Toyota several times and was ultimately told I had run out of time. I pleaded that I have owned the vehicle for over ten years and would have taken advantage of any recalls had I received any information of one, but no one is able to explain to me why I was not notified of the problem. A problem like this does not crop up within a year and have the ability to hide from honest technicians concerned with the integrity of their inspections/maintenance and the safety of motorists. This vehicle is frequently used for travel over distances greater than 50 miles, one way, and to find out that I have been operating such a dangerous vehicle over such long distances and posing such a danger to myself and countless other motorists because of the silence and/or negligence of Toyota technicians is unacceptable and reprehensible. My vehicle is otherwise in great running condition with many new parts that show pride of ownership. I must demand that Toyota replace the defective frame on my vehicle to restore the safety and peace of mind that motorists have a right to expect when they get behind the wheel of a car.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #18

Nov 021998

Tacoma

  • miles
There is an accelerated and abnormal amount of corrosion and rust showing up on undercarriage of the vehicle. Rear leaf springs have lost rubber bumper due to rust, and suspension/frame make noises due to stress on frame which is the result of rust/corrosion. I am the original owner to this vehicle, having purchased it new and having always had it in Colorado a mostly dry climate not conducive to rust/corrosion. I have it at the same dealership I bought it from multiple times per year for service, and it is still under 150K orig miles. I have never been informed by the Toyota dealership reps. About concerns with rust/corrosion issues, nor has any company staff ever acknowledged any concerns over these issues, or has the company reached out to inform me of potential problems. In no way, shape or form has Toyota ever advised me of any recall, concerns or problems. I have lived at my current residence and had the same phone numbers for the last 15 years and this has been in the stevenson Toyota dealership records this whole time. This is extremely concerning due to the mountain driving conditions here in Colorado, and speed at which this rust/corrosion is expanding and making the vehicle weak and unsafe to operate. Apparently more owners of this vehicle and model year are experiencing the very same issues and have not been notified by Toyota. This appears to be a prolific issue that needs immediate attention.

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #17

Oct 242016

Tacoma

  • 261,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. Upon inspecting under the front and rear passenger sides of the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was rust and a hole. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was uncertain if the vehicle would be repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution. The approximate failure mileage was 261,000.

- Smithton, MO, USA

problem #16

Oct 122016

Tacoma

  • miles
"1995 through 2000 model year Tacoma frame rust corrosion warranty extension" received a letter from Toyota attached. Requested frame inspection attached. Requested another frame inspection attached. My vehicle case was not handled consistent with the intent of Toyota's program nor was I contacted by their impartial services group (isg). As a result the safety of me and my passengers has been neglected be not allowing me the safety benefits of their warranty offerings.

- Salem, NH, USA

problem #15

Aug 202016

Tacoma

  • 90,000 miles
Massive accelerated corrosion of the frame including leaf springs which has now punctured the gas tank leading to gasoline leaking. There have been hundreds of complaints as far as I can tell for the same reason. However, there are no recalls by Toyota and the company and dealership are saying they are not responsible!

- Newington, CT, USA

problem #14

Apr 012016

Tacoma

  • 209,000 miles
I bought my '98 Toyota Tacoma in 2000. Since that purchase I have never received a letter regarding any recalls or safely issues. I have only moved once since I purchased this vehicle and that was in 2003. So I feel that Toyota made no honest effort to contact me regarding any issues so I should be able to address and have repaired any problems that were recalled such as the corroding frame. This is a serious issue that Toyota conveniently let fall through the cracks.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #13

Apr 192016

Tacoma

  • 312,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact heard a noise from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the entire frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 312,000.

- Mars Hill, NC, USA

problem #12

Apr 032016

Tacoma

  • 319,552 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was fractured by the rear wheel on the driver and passenger side. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer stated that the frame was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 319,552.

- Forr, MN, USA

problem #11

Nov 042015

Tacoma

  • miles
Frame of truck from front cab mount to back side of rear spring perches is rusted and perforated making truck unsafe to drive.

- Middle River, MD, USA

Read the next 10 complaints »