1998 Toyota Corolla Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 11%of 225 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Toyota Corolla, 11% of the 225 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“A part in the door of my 1998 Toyota Corolla broke about two years ago. I could not open the driver's door from the outside. I got it fixed at the dealer for about $300. A few months ago, something in the same door malfunctioned. I am now unable to open the door from the inside. A few days ago, the original problem occurred again. I am now unable to open the driver's door.”
NHTSA complaint #10207665, filed 2007-11, 140,000 miles“1998 Toyota Corolla's driver side seat belt failed at the latch area where it hooks in . The trunk lock broke inside the cylinder and the drivers side door handle broke inside. The seat belt warning light illuminated and flashed although all the occupants had their seat belts buckled.”
NHTSA complaint #10150826, filed 2006-02, 91,000 miles“Molding along all four doors is falling off. It looks like molding shrunk and glue did not hold. Once molding started coming off it became brittle and fell apart. Almost every '98 Corolla we have seen has had this problem, including ones being sold on Toyota dealerships.”
NHTSA complaint #10052308, filed 2004-01, 34,000 miles“After the long hard rain we had in cincinnati yesterday labor day sept 1, here was approximately 1-2 inches of rain setting in the drivers side floor of my car. The sides of the floor were not damp as if it came from below but I am not sure.”
NHTSA complaint #10037032, filed 2003-09“The contact's wife owns a 1998 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while his wife was taking items out of the trunk of the vehicle, the trunk lid closed abruptly. The contact later noticed that the trunk lid driver’s side hinge was fractured. The contact's wife did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the trunk lid hinges needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11466216, filed 2022-05, 106,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10123420Oct 27, 2017TSB: Vehicle replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) may be available…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 12 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 4 | 3% |
| 2017 | 9 | 5% |
| 2016 | 15 | 7% |
| 2015 | 33 | 15% |
| 2014 | 32 | 12% |
| 2013 | 10 | 5% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2011 | 22 | 4% |
| 2010 | 28 | 2% |
| 2009 | 42 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 18 | 2% |
| 2006 | 20 | 2% |
| 2005 | 17 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 31 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 10 | 6% |
| 1998 | 24 | 11% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 5 | 4% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 13 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 13% |
| 1991 | 14 | 20% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Corolla
61 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 complaintsEquipment
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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