Most common 1998 Toyota T100 problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota T100 complaints by model year
Best T100 years: 1998, 1997. Years to avoid: 1996. Compare all years →
1998 Toyota T100 recalls (1)
Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the steering wheel is repeatedly turned under certain conditions where high steering effort and power assist are required, for instance, when fully turning the wheel while the vehicle is stopped, a fatigue crack May develop in the steering relay rod.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering relay rod. The recall began October 5, 2005. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Toyota T100:
Clutch pedal bracket/firewall
What 1998 Toyota T100 owners say
Body & structure
Took my truck to a body shop to have dings and a few rusted spots on it repaired. The business owner and repair person put it on the rack and after examination, informed me that it was not worth the repairs, because the frame and undercarriage was too extensive and might as such cause safety issues. I chose not to have it repaired because of this issue.
I have a 1998 Toyota T100 with 143K miles on it. The frame is now broke under the bed near the front leaf spring shackle, beside a bed mount. The other side is also cracked bad and is about to break. I also noticed the cross-member that the carrier bearing attaches too is also cracked on one side and all but cracked on the other side. I called Toyota because I know they are doing the tacomas around the same year as well as the tundras. Toyota said that there is no recall or anything they can do. I know this is an issue with several other t100s and am very upset that they wont do anything with the t100s.
Suspension
Took my truck to a body shop to have dings and a few rusted spots on it repaired. The business owner and repair person put it on the rack and after examination, informed me that it was not worth the repairs, because the frame and undercarriage was too extensive and might as such cause safety issues. I chose not to have it repaired because of this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota T100. The contact stated that the tire specialist advised him that the driver's side rear frame springs mount were severely corroded and exhibited holes. The tire specialist advised that it was unsafe to drive the vehicle. The tire was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 137,925.
Seat belts
We have a Toyota t-100 sr 5, extend cab 4x4 truck. We have been having problems with the driver's side seat belt. The belt will not lock in place and is loose. I have asked at dealers and I am told they are not aware of any safety warranty. We had a vehicle that was less than 10 years old and it had a seat belt problem. The dealer was required by law to replace the seat belt. I cannot find any information on this issue. "safety devices are under warranty for 10 years (by law)." I need your assistance on this matter. Thank you. Have a good day. [redacted] note: the address is still a Toyota dealer, but is no longer bales Toyota. I do not know the new name. Odi spoke to consumer and the retractor will always lock when under heavy braking and May not lock when the webbing is suddenly tugged. Also at times the webbing will not retract. Intermittent issue. Cw
Tl contact owns a 1998 Toyota T100. The contact stated that the seat belt locks, but becomes loose when driving. The seat belt fails to retract when the failure occurs, but the seat belt warning indicator light illuminates. The current mileage is 105,000 and failure mileage was 100,000.
1998 Toyota T100 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 21 / 19 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 16 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Toyota T100 a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 T100 rates better than average: 71% fewer complaints than a typical year of the T100 at the same age. It is one of the best T100 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Toyota T100?
The body & structure — 9 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the suspension (5) and seat belts (4).
How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota T100 have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Toyota T100, the most recent from September 6, 2005 (connecting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota T100?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996. See the full Toyota T100 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota T100 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 6% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.