1998 Toyota Corolla Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Toyota Corolla, 3% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Headlamps on 1998 Toyota Corolla have fogged completely over. The fogging is on the external lens surface, not due to moisture on the inside of the headlamp assembly. Attempts to clean the surface ar temporary, with the fogging returning after a few days. The fogged lenses are a hazard as the light is greatly diminished over a clear lens.”
NHTSA complaint #10302399, filed 2010-01, 85,000 miles“The headlights on newer cars are too bright and the lights on suvs are too high -- both of these problems are interferring with my ability to see when I'm driving at night. These new lights are too bright and blind me, even when I switch my rear view mirror to the night position.”
NHTSA complaint #760596, filed 2002-04“The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Corolla. While driving at night, the headlights were very dim and hindered the contact's visibility. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign numbers: 09e012000 (exterior lighting), 08e050000 (exterior lighting), 06e065000 (exterior lighting), and 06e026000 (exterior lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 118,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10884888, filed 2016-07, 118,000 miles“The low beam headlights do not shine far enough down the highway to see what is in front of the vehicle. Dealer cannot do anything because its the design of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #832765, filed 1998-12Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 4 | 6% |
| 2023 | 11 | 15% |
| 2022 | 9 | 9% |
| 2021 | 8 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 6 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 6% |
| 2014 | 9 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 2 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 0% |
| 2009 | 6 | 0% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 1% |
| 2002 | 6 | 5% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 7 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 12 | 9% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1994 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Corolla
61 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsTires
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology