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 Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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: [redacted].
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.
My truck was traveling in middle lane of interstate when traffic on the right was slowing down to exit and another truck in the lane next to me on the right did not slow down and swerved into the middle lane failing to yield causing my truck to strike his truck causing an accident and totaling my truck. During this accident that crushed the front passenger side of the vehicle the air bags did not deploy.
My son was in an auto accident. An SUV ran a red light when he had a green light. His truck was smashed in the front and was totaled. The air bag did not deploy. Vehicle was a 1998 Toyota Tacoma pre-runner. I've heard that the air bag will not deploy at 35 MPH. I don't know if this is true.
I collided with a vehicle that failed to yield the right of way when making a left turn. My 1998 Toyota Tacoma collided with the right side of a 1998 Chevrolet blazer. In spite of extensive damage to the front of the Tacoma, neither air bag deployed.
While driving 45 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy. As a result, driver sustained severe upper body injuries, and was hospitalized for two days. Vehicle was totaled.
On 10-28-98, a car was at a complete stop in front of consumer with no blinkers or lights on, consumer slammed on the brakes and rear ended the car in front, no deployment of the air bags during collision, consumer had on lap belt which kept from going through the windshield. Consumer's mother contacted Toyota to make a complaint and they sent out an investigator. They informed her on several occassions that their legal department would get back with consumer. To this day consumer has not heard from them. The truck has been fixed but with the same air bags. Two other trucks like similar in this small community of 2000, have been in accidents. One had the air bags deploy after hitting a deer, the other in their crash did not have the air bags deploy. Does this mean I have to drive everyday wonder if I get in another wreck will they work if I need them? …
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.
When pulling into a turning lane went to apply the brakes and the pedal went all the way to the ground , then l tried to press the brakes again the brakes still did not respond. Then, third time the rear end brakes just simply locked up, rear ending a Mercedes 30mph. Then, the truck went to the side and lightly hit another Toyota truck, niether sides off my air bags deployed and my truck received heavy front clip damage and heavy side damage, l was left with no way to get to work , since then the truck has been repossed and lm being sued appross.30,000 dollars. L still thank god im OK and so was every body else
Consumer was driving at approximately 50 MPH when he noticed a vehicle had stopped in the middle of road. Consumer applied brakes, but ended up rearending the vehicle with a 30 MPH impact. Dual airbags did not deploy which could have caused serious injuires , seatbelts was worn at the time. Owner's manual stated airbags will deploy upon a 14 MPH impact. Vehicle had excessive damage, and impact was hard enough to bend the frame.
Related recalls
Air bags › On-off switch assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. 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.
Remedy: Owners will be sent a corrected owner's manual.
Airbag complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, 15% of the model year's 300 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-188 (on-off switch assembly, Aug 6, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 200,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 42 crashes, 0 fires and 24 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.