Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
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.
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. …
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 the consumer had to purchase new tire eight months later. Updated 06/11/12
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.
Driver was alone traveling westbound on I-64. While traveling at the posted highway speed (65), after coming over the crest at mile marker 242. The driver noted a loud snapping sound. Driver then noted with peripheral vision that the right front wheel had been ejected from the vehicle. Driver's immediate reaction was to remove foot from accelerator and to continue maintaining control. That is continue in a straight path with both hands on the steering wheel to prevent an over correction scenario. Driver tried to apply pressure to the brakes to gradually slow down. However, after applying pressure the driver realized that he had no brakes. Driver continued with the controlled crash and allowed the truck to drift to the right shoulder where the truck eventually came to a stop. Right front spindle snapped. Since rotor and brakes ejected with the wheel driver had no brakes. …
I was traveling south on interstate 35 in fort worth when my front left tire suddenly blew out. After putting on the spare, I examined the faulty tire and found that the entire side wall had blown out, 360 degrees around. The tire still had sufficient tread. I took it to three tire dealers, and they all agreed it was not a standard blow out and was caused by a defective tire. There were no road hazards and I was traveling in fairly heavy traffic, but I was able to come to a stop and make it to the shoulder. After hearing of the problems and injuries/fatalaties that had been associated with this particular type of tire, I decided to replace all four rather than take any chances with my safety. The total cost to replace the four tires totaled just under $600. Furthermore, I've inquired about replacing the wheel as it too was damaged. …
I bought a Tacoma pick up a couple of years ago. I recently found that one side of my front right tire was extremely damaged down to the steel belts. I took it in to a tire shop and they said I had a very light truck and because I am usually the only passenger the tire worn unevenly. Having one person on one side of the truck all the time did this damage. I had to pay for an alignment (adjusted for one passenger), and a new tire. Why wasn't I told of this? Why isn't the truck built to handle this? I'm sure I'm not the only person driving by myself all the time. Is there anyway I can get reimburse for this. My dealer said I wasn't covered for this. Shouldn't there be a national recall or notice to customers about this? I could have blown a tire and crashed. Please give me some answers to this.
Was experiencing vibration in the front end of the truck. Took truck to dealer and they looked at it. They said that the reason for the vibration was the tires were out of round and that the "left outer wheel bushin" that is associated with the rack was excessively worn. They estimated that it would be $1300 to replace the entire rack since Toyota does not sell the individual bushing, nor does it have a procedure to replace the bushing if an after market one is available. The truck was under warranty at the time but Toyota quality care denied the claim because the bushing wear was deemed "noraml wear and tear". Because I would ahve to pay for the cost the dealer said that I should be able to drive with the rack the way it is "for awhile??!"
Pe-00-020; tire size 215/70r14, dot # 21570r14awa with 8052 miles, original equipment on Toyota Tacoma. Consumer was driving at approximately 20-25mph when he heard a loud noise , noticed that left rear tire had exploded. Consumer pulled over to change tire. Took tire to tire shop, and was told tire just exploded, and cause was unknown. The customer paid and replaced all 4 tires. Firestone was willing to pay 60% only for one tire.
Entire truck vibrates starting at 55 MPH and the tires are unable to be balanced properly. Please investigate and recall these tires because they are a hazard to drive. I always inflate the tires to the manufacturers recommendation. Toyota referred me to Firestone and they said my tires are not part of the recall, even though tires can't be balanced properly.( dot number: w2hyama487 tire size: p215/70r14 )
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1998 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, 11% of the model year's 300 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Tacoma wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 247,000 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.