Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Toyota Corolla owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My wife's 1998 Toyota Corolla was hit head on at 70mph by a full size passenger truck and the airbag did not deploy. She has been the sole owner of the vehicle since purchase. Prior to the accident, in the course of ownership, the airbag warning light came on periodically. We took the vehicle in several occasions to two different authorized Toyota dealerships and both reported that nothing was wrong. This, in spite of the fact that the light continued to flash intermittently. We have retained the diagnostic receipts from the dealerships. I contacted Toyota motors, and they have created a case number. Toyota motors requested crash photographs to be e-mailed to them, which I have done. No further contact has been received from Toyota motors. The vehicle is being held at our insurers salvage yard for further instructions.
Airbag light started flashing intermittently. Took it to the dealership who charged $ 100 for diagnostics and told me it would cost $500 to fix. I then took it to a self employed mechanic who had worked for Toyota. He said it had just become disconnected under the seat. He was able to fix it, it seemed, for a period of time, but the problem keeps coming back. I recently learned online that this is a common problem and huge safety concern. Several who have shelled out the money to Toyota to have it "fixed" say the problem has not gone away. I am so angry that Toyota hasn't taken responsibility and NHTSA is not holding them accountable.
Air bag light stays on. When I looked up any recalls on this year of Toyota, there were alot of complaints and no fixes. I think Toyota should fix this safety problem with the air bags, it is a big deal not feelig safe on the road. The light came on when we were driving. We tried to reset it but has no effect. There are a lot of complaints on the 1998 Toyota Corolla.this is not a coincidence, it is a safety hazzard that needs to be addressed by the manufacuturer. Toyota needs to step up and fix the problem, it is there fault. Any help would be appreciated.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Toyota Corolla. The contact was involved in a crash. None of the air bags deployed. The contact sustained a broken rib, fractured bone and whiplash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 167,000.
Air bag light came on in August of 2004 for no apparent reason (car has no history of accidents). Took it to the dealer where it was purchased (in the states- we now live in Canada), air bags not covered under the purchase warranty. Dealer split the cost of replacing the left side air bag out of good will (we paid $418.25). Light continued to come on repeatedly after fix. Dealer replaced computer component, adjusted harness, repeatedly tried to fix wiring. It is now June of 2006 and the light is still coming on- we have just replaced the right side air bag (at the cost to Toyota- we paid for labor), and light is still coming on. Dealer has informed me that air bags will not function in the event of an accident when the light is on. This is concerning because we bought the car for the safety of the air bags and we are worried of being injured in a crash. …
I own a 1998 Toyota Corolla. In August 2004, the airbag went defective. An authorized Toyota dealership in nj ordered a replacement central airbag assembly and the airbag was replaced on sep 1, 2004. However after a few months, the same airbag problem reoccured and I took it to the dealership. After many attempts to identify the problem, the dealership finally concluded that the entire airbag circuitry was defective. Since they quoted me an exhorbitant price, I took the car to another authorized Toyota dealership. This second dealership after a few attempts, identified that the same central airbag assembly that was replaced in sep 1, 2004 was defective. They ordered a second replacement and fitted my car with the new part. This happened in nov 2006. However 2 months after the airbag replacement,in feb 2007 the same airbag problem reoccured for a 3rd time. …
Air bag warning kept flashing that the air bags needed to be serviced. We took car to dealer, it was not under warranty, dealer said we would have to "repair it ourselves" if we could find a console that would repair it and he thought there was only one in the united states for approximately $2000. We wrote to Toyota who eventually wrote back to us stating that Toyota would not repair this car and had no intention of recalling this car due to this issue and we would have to repair this car ourselves at the dealer location. Now we see in the news that Toyota is recalling 1.3 million other cars for what appears to be the same issue--the control of the air bags. Dealer told us he did not know how this would affect if the air bags would go off in an accident or not in the future or any other time. …
At this approximate date, I began getting a warning light re. My air bags. My dealer said I would have to replace the faulty steering wheel air bag assembly costing me between $1000-1500 or more to replace it. Now, other corollas are being recalled but mine is not being recalled. It appears that my car has had the same problem for an even longer period of time than those that are being recalled. I have not yet been able to afford to have it repaired. I recently read in the news that these problems began in 1998, the year I purchased my car. My car has just now turned 100,000 miles and I feel that I should be included in the ongoing recall that includes other Toyota owners. I believe that it is not only arbitrary but dangerous for me for you to exclude me from this recall. I hereby request that you include my car in this recall. Thank you.
1998 Toyota Corolla le, air bag light comes on and starts blinking as soon as I start the vehicle. This is the second time the air bag light has come on. First time, there were air bag light and seat belt light on in aug 2005. I took the car to Toyota dealer. He replaced the seat belt(cost was $350). That fixed the air bag light and seat belt light on problem. Today(sept 30, 2005), the air bag light has again come on and keep blinking while the engine is on. I believe it's a manufacturing defect with the 1998 Toyota Corolla. Please investigate the matter.
Was in an accident going 45mph a truck ran a stop sign and I hit them in the side my son was in the passenger seat and his seat caught when I pressed the brakes but released when we hit the other vehicle airbag deployed but did not inflate. The seatbelt also released when we hit the ditch. He hit his head on the winshield 2 times and is now dealing with post concussion syndrome. I called Toyota and they said they found no defects and that the safety system did what it was suppose to.( dot number: tire size: p185/65r14 )
Airbag complaints in other Corolla years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Toyota Corolla?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Toyota Corolla, 27% of the model year's 225 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Corolla airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Toyota Corolla. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Corolla airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 24 crashes, 1 fire and 20 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.