Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
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.
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.
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 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.
When checking to see if my shocks need to be replaced I find I have a rusted frame above right rear wheel and in front of left front wheel. This was the first I had any knowledge of it. A friend advised me there was a recall so I called Toyota. I was advised they still had the previous owners information even though I purchased it from a dealer on 2/11/2005. I never received a recall notice and never heard anything about it and was told they would not do anything to fix it. Is there anything you can do to help. The truck is still a good 4wd truck.
Tl* 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced severe corrosion which resulted in the front driver side wheel detaching from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the vehicle experienced severe corrosion, but they could not repair the vehicle due to the recall being closed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 160,000.
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.
Tl* 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.
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.
Body complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 98 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, 33% of the model year's 300 complaints. The component named most often is body (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Tacoma body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 Tacoma body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 135,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure 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.