1998 Toyota Tacoma Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure9929.7%
- Airbags4613.8%
- Tires & wheels298.7%
- Suspension288.4%
- Seat belts236.9%
- Brakes216.3%
- Engine175.1%
- Driver assistance164.8%
- Steering123.6%
- Transmission82.4%
- Visibility61.8%
- Electrical61.8%
- Exterior lighting61.8%
- Other / unspecified61.8%
- Powertrain (other)41.2%
- Fuel system30.9%
- Heating & air conditioning20.6%
- Interior & seats10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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-Preventative Compound); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while inspecting the subframe of the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stated that the failure had increased significantly. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as an unknown recall had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 the same situation. Sincerely: [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR PACEMARK (N/A) TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BLISTER ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED EACH TIRE AND NOTICED THAT BLISTERS WERE PRESENT ON ALL OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE MAY BE DRIVING OVER TOO MANY BUMPS ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLISTERS WERE PRESENT ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS OF ALL TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 9,869. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRE EIGHT MONTHS LATER. UPDATED 06/11/12
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while inspecting the subframe of the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stated that the failure had increased significantly. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as an unknown recall had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
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.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT STARTED FRAYING AND AFTER WHILE LOCKED UP ,WOULD NOT RETRACTED OR PULL OUT. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE IS FRAYING AND NOW IT IS LOCKED UP, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE ENGINE IS RUNNING OR NOT IT WILL NOT RETRACTED OR PULL OUT.
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOUGHT A VEHICLE FROM A WOMAN OFF OF CRAIGSLIST. MET HER IN AN UNFAMILIAR AREA. WOMAN STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND RUNS PERFECT. WOMAN WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND INSISTED ON CHECKING THE VIN ON CARFAX AND SHE QUICKLY PULLED OUT AN OUTDATED TITLE. THE VEHICLE'S ODOMETER READING STATED APPROXIMATELY 166,000 MILES. AFTER THE TRANSACTION OF $5000.00 WAS COMPLETED IN CASH. SHE QUICKLY LEFT WITH A HEAVYSET HISPANIC MALE THAT WAS WITH HER. MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT CARFAX AND THE LAST REPORTED MILEAGE ON CARFAX FOR THE VIN NUMBER WAS APPROXIMATELY 278,000 MILES FOR THAT VEHICLE. THE WOMAN QUICKLY BLOCKED OUT PHONE NUMBERS. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER SHE HAD HER NUMBER UNBLOCKED. WE CALLED HER FROM A DIFFERENT NUMBER AND ACTED AS THOUGH I WAS READY TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE FROM HER AND SHE STATED SHE HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND COULD MEET ME AT THE SAME LOCATION (NOT KNOWING IT WAS ME) NOT ONLY WAS THE ODOMETER READING FALSE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE AND COMPLETELY UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN.
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOUGHT A VEHICLE FROM A WOMAN OFF OF CRAIGSLIST. MET HER IN AN UNFAMILIAR AREA. WOMAN STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND RUNS PERFECT. WOMAN WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND INSISTED ON CHECKING THE VIN ON CARFAX AND SHE QUICKLY PULLED OUT AN OUTDATED TITLE. THE VEHICLE'S ODOMETER READING STATED APPROXIMATELY 166,000 MILES. AFTER THE TRANSACTION OF $5000.00 WAS COMPLETED IN CASH. SHE QUICKLY LEFT WITH A HEAVYSET HISPANIC MALE THAT WAS WITH HER. MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT CARFAX AND THE LAST REPORTED MILEAGE ON CARFAX FOR THE VIN NUMBER WAS APPROXIMATELY 278,000 MILES FOR THAT VEHICLE. THE WOMAN QUICKLY BLOCKED OUT PHONE NUMBERS. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER SHE HAD HER NUMBER UNBLOCKED. WE CALLED HER FROM A DIFFERENT NUMBER AND ACTED AS THOUGH I WAS READY TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE FROM HER AND SHE STATED SHE HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND COULD MEET ME AT THE SAME LOCATION (NOT KNOWING IT WAS ME) NOT ONLY WAS THE ODOMETER READING FALSE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE AND COMPLETELY UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN.
DT: UNDER 50,000 MILES EXHAUST PIPE BROKE, THIS WAS WELDED AND REPAIRED. UNDER 70,000 A HAIRLINE CRACK THAT ENCIRCLES THE PIPE WAS BEHIND A WELDED BRACKET BROKE AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME, THIS WAS WELDED AGAIN FOR REPAIR. THE 3RD TIME 170,000 BROKE AGAIN AND THIS PIPE WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY . NOW THE 4TH TIME, AT 178,000 MILES THIS HAS BROKEN AGAIN. THIS IS AWAITING A REPLACEMENT. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I STARTED MY TRUCK AND WAS SLOWLY DRIVING DOWN A DRIVEWAY, AS I CHANGED FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR MY VEHICLE ACCELERATION WENT FROM 15MPH TO 67MPH WITHIN JUST A FEW SECONDS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD DO BUT SWERVE TO MISS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE ENGINE ROARED OUT OF CONTROL. AS A SWERVED TO MISS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS FORCED INTO A DITCH AND THE TRUCK ROLLED OVER. *TR
I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP. TODAY OCTOBER 14, 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET AND MY GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO EXTREMELY HIGH RPM'S. I TRIED TO STOP, BUT MY NEW BRAKES WERE BARELY ABLE TO SLOW ME DOWN. I HAD TO PUT THE ENGINE INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK THE TRUCK. A FRIEND AND I LOOKED THE ENGINE OVER AND WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS ABOUT TWO INCHES OF PLAY IN THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WERE THE CABLE MEETS THE ENGINE. WHICH WOULD EXPLAIN WHY I WAS HAVING SUCH POOR PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. IS THIS COVERED BY ANY RECALLS? THANK YOU *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
"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.
I HAD EXITED THE FREEWAY FOR FUEL. I HAD TO COME TO A FULL STOP AND THEN MAKE A LEFT TURN TO GO OVER THE FREEWAY. AS I MADE THE TURN, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE A BALL JOINT AND THE TIRE/WHEEL SWUNG OUT AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE CAR. GIVEN THE MILES ON THE CAR, I ACCEPTED THE FAILURE OF THE PART. HOWEVER, THE INITIAL FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BY A TOYOTA DEALER. YESTERDAY, 6/30/15, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED. I CAME TO A STOP TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE SAME THING OCCURRED. MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BROKE A BALL JOINT AND THE TIRE/WHEEL TURNED AT 90 DEGREES TO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. TO BREAK A BALL JOINT, INSTALLED BY A DEALER, AFTER ABOUT 13 MONTHS IS UNREASONABLE. MY TRUCK IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND I'VE ASKED MY MECHANIC TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE BALL JOINTS AFTER MY FIRST PROBLEM. HE REGULARLY INSPECTED THEM AND KEPT THEM GREASED.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS A CLUTCH CHATTER PROBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE OTHER DAMAGES. DEALER HAS REPLACED 4 CLUTCHES/ 4 PRESSURE PLATES, AND 2 FLY WHEELS. BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN ACCELERATING IN 2ND GEAR THERE IS A BAD VIBRATION(2000-2500 RPM). IT ALSO "CLUNKS" WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR. THE HIGHER THE RPM THE WORSE IT "CLUNKS". VEHICLE PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 1999. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE REGARDING PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS IT IS "NORMAL". I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SYNCHRONIZERS ARE WORN OUT AND WANT TO GET PROBLEM RESOLVED WHILE COVERED UNDER 60,000 MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODING ON HER VEHICLE. HER HUSBAND NOTICED THAT SEVERAL TACOMA OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AND DECIDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A FRAME INSPECTION AND STATED THAT IT WAS OKAY AT THAT TIME. THE WEST INSPECTION STATION INFORMED THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND THAT HIS FRAME WAS IN BAD SHAPE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONSULTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,467 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,400. UPDATED 09/23/08 *BF THE ALSO STATED THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP. UPDATED 10/01/08. *JB
FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE CENTER/BOTTOM THAT EXTENDED UP APP. 4 INCHES AND THE TURNED TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS TOLD BY A FLEET MANAGER THAT TOYOTA TRUCKS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
UPON PURCHASE OF A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA FROM LITHIA TOYOTA OF MISSOULA, MONTANA I WAS PRESENTED WITH AN ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT STATING THE VEHICLE HAD 168,143 MILES. WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE EARLIER ON PAVED HIGHWAY I NOTICED THE ODOMETER READ 168,000 AND SOMETHING MILES, SO SIGNED THE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IN GOOD FAITH OF THE DEALER. I ALSO HAD REQUESTED A VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. AFTER THE TEST DRIVE, THE SALESMAN HANDED ME AN AUTOCHECK VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. HE DID NOT EXPLAIN DETAILS OF THE REPORT TO ME, ALTHOUGH IT SEEMED FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD. HEADING THE ODOMETERCHECK SECTION, IN BOLD LETTERS IT STATED "YOUR VEHICLE CHECKS OUT!" IT CONTINUED BY STATING "AUTOCHECK EXAMINED THE REPORTED ODOMETER READINGS REPORTED TO AUTOCHECK FOR THIS 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5(VIN#) AND NO INDICATION OF AN ODOMETER ROLLBACK OR TAMPERING WAS FOUND." BECAUSE I HAD BEEN WARNED ABOUT USED VEHICLES AND ACCIDENTS I FOCUSED ON THE ACCIDENTCHECK AND TITLE AND PROBLEMCHECK IN THE REPORT. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE ODOMETER WENT OUT DRIVING ON GRAVEL A WEEK LATER THAT I REALIZED THE ODOMETER WAS FLAWED. AND IT DOESN'T RECORD THE MILEAGE WHEN IT IS OUT. ON CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT, THERE ARE SIX REPORTS UNDERNEATH THE ODOMETERCHECK SECTION. THE SUSPECT MILEAGE IS BETWEEN THE 2ND AND 3RD MILEAGE REPORTS. THE 2ND MILEAGE REPORTS 15,000 MILES 10/09/98 WITH A NOTATION STATING: "NOT INCLUDED IN ROLLBACK CALCULATION." THE 3RD MILEAGE REPORTS 10,038 12/10/1998. THAT IS A DIFFERENCE OF -4,962 MILES LOST ON THE ODOMETER. I PHONED, THEN BROUGHT THE TACOMA BACK TO LITHIA 8/6/13. THE MAN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE CIRCUIT BOARD AT MY EXPENSE. THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, HE REPEATED. I WROTE A LETTER TO TOYOTA CORP. 8/9/13 AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE BY PHONE 8/20/13. THE ANALYST STOOD BY LITHIA'S DECISION 8/23/13.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING 30-35 MPH CONSUMER WAS BLINDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE'S FOG LIGHT,AND VEHICLE RAN INTO A TELPHONE HEAD-ON , AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
LIGHT COVER CAME OFF AND UNABLE TO REATTACHED PROPERLY. IT WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE AND WILL FALL EASILY WHICH CAN DISTRACT DRIVER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 SITUATION AND REQUESTED A BALANCING OF ALL 4 TIRES, BECAUSE I THOUGHT A WEIGHT HAD FALLEN OFF THE RIM. THE AUTO TECHNICIAN BALANCED ALL 4 TIRES. THE RECEIPT STATED TIRES BALANCE ACCEPTED AND COMPLETE. NO OUT OF BALANCE SPECIFICATIONS WERE INDICATED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60-65 ML/HR AND COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT IMMEDIATELY WHEN LETTING GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I THEN HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED BY ANOTHER AUTO/TIRE SHOP. IT WAS FOUND TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT SOLVE THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SWAPPED THE FRONT TIRES, FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. HE FOUND THE VEHICLE NOW PULLED TO THE LEFT. HE STATED THE ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS ARE CORRECT AND THAT IT WAS A BAD TIRE. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE WAS INTERNAL AND TO CONTACT WALMART WHERE YOU PURCHASED THEM. WALMART DID NOT CHECK THE TIRE AND STATED THE WARRANTY WAS NOT EFFECTIVE AT 5/32ND TREAD DEPTH. WALMART STATED THEY OPTED OUT OF MICHELIN'S TIRE WARRANTY AND TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRE DIRECTLY. I THEN CONTACTED MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE, WERE THEY AUTHORIZED ME TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER TIRE DEALER WHO SOLD MICHELIN TIRES. I TOOK IT TO PHIL LONG TOYOTA DEALER WHO STATED THEY WOULD PROCESS THE WARRANTY FOR THIS TIRE. THEY CHECKED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT THE TIRE ON THE LEFT SIDE HAD AN INTERNAL SEPARATED BELT. THE COMPANY MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA IS PROCESSING THE WARRANTY.
TL* 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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE STOPPED AT THE EDGE OF OUR DRIVEWAY TO LET A PEDESTRIAN PASS AND THEN PROCEED TO ENTER THE DRIVEWAY BY MAKING A RIGHT TURN. AS SHE ACCELERATED TO ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY, THE TACOMA TOOK OFF WITH THE ENGINE SCREAMING AT A VERY HIGH RPM AND, DESPITE HER EFFORTS TO STOP THE TRUCK BY PRESSING HARD ON THE BRAKE, SHE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE AND EAST WALL OF THE HOUSE. DESPITE THE ENORMOUS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, IT IS A TOTAL, I THINK, THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.OBVIOUSLY THE TACOMA SUFFERED FROM THE SAME ACCELERATOR PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED TOYOTA UNITS. MY WIFE, THE DRIVER, SUFFERED BRUISED RIBS AND A HEADACHE. FIRE AND POLICE RESPONDED TO EMERGENCY CALL. *TR
CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD SUFFERED VARIOUS RESPIRATORY COMPLICATIONS SINCE THE FAILURE BEGAN AND BELIEVED IT WAS CAUSED BY THE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP. TODAY OCTOBER 14, 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET AND MY GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO EXTREMELY HIGH RPM'S. I TRIED TO STOP, BUT MY NEW BRAKES WERE BARELY ABLE TO SLOW ME DOWN. I HAD TO PUT THE ENGINE INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK THE TRUCK. A FRIEND AND I LOOKED THE ENGINE OVER AND WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS ABOUT TWO INCHES OF PLAY IN THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WERE THE CABLE MEETS THE ENGINE. WHICH WOULD EXPLAIN WHY I WAS HAVING SUCH POOR PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. IS THIS COVERED BY ANY RECALLS? THANK YOU *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
EVAPORATIVE CANISTER FAILED. YH
NO SUMMARY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HANDLES ON BOTH DOORS HAVE BROKEN AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN MY TRUCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE HANDLES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE PLASTIC HAS SNAPPED. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .