1998 Toyota Tacoma Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 7%of 300 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 133,788miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, 7% of the 300 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 133,788 miles. 3 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.
“The wiring harness cable from the sensors to the computer burnout and the seatbelts doesn't respond right especially with his unraveling and doesn't lock good or pool and the master cylinder it's not function correctly either it's like it's not stopping the brakes are not stopping I know the vehicle is old but still this is a defect and very has for the drivers of all the vehicles my 1998 Toyota Tacoma sr5 2.4 liter 2 wheel drive”
NHTSA complaint #11162647, filed 2018-12, 205,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10425071, filed 2011-09, 133,788 miles“When weather temperature drops to 30 or below the brakes start to act up. There are no brakes until the truck is warmed up. The brakes seem to grab on flat roads but going down even the slightest hill and the brakes lock. Being a girl, I though I needed new brakes. I took the truck to the dealer and had a brake job done. The next year the temps did not drop to 30 degrees . The winter was mild. This year it is cold again and the brakes are acting up again. With all the Toyota problems, I though I should report it. Especially as being a girl, the dealer does not take me seriously. …”
NHTSA complaint #10374012, filed 2011-01, 55,000 miles“Toyota Tacoma truck 1998, my son died in the accident 2 years ago, according police report said he fell asleep in the wheel but the car never was an issue but now that we have recall maybe it was the brake system failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10311081, filed 2010-02“Bought a vehicle from a woman off of craigslist. Met her in an unfamiliar area. Woman stated the vehicle was in good condition and runs perfect. Woman would not allow us to test drive the vehicle. My husband insisted on checking the VIN on carfax and she quickly pulled out an outdated title. The vehicle's odometer reading stated approximately 166,000 miles. After the transaction of $5000.00 was completed in cash. She quickly left with a heavyset hispanic male that was with her. …”
NHTSA complaint #11399558, filed 2021-03Related service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 5 | 4% |
| 2024 | 33 | 21% |
| 2023 | 6 | 11% |
| 2022 | 6 | 10% |
| 2021 | 12 | 15% |
| 2020 | 13 | 14% |
| 2019 | 56 | 26% |
| 2018 | 48 | 23% |
| 2017 | 32 | 13% |
| 2016 | 19 | 6% |
| 2015 | 12 | 12% |
| 2014 | 17 | 18% |
| 2013 | 18 | 14% |
| 2012 | 22 | 7% |
| 2011 | 13 | 7% |
| 2010 | 21 | 7% |
| 2009 | 35 | 7% |
| 2008 | 30 | 7% |
| 2007 | 43 | 8% |
| 2006 | 49 | 6% |
| 2005 | 26 | 4% |
| 2004 | 24 | 6% |
| 2003 | 19 | 5% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 22 | 6% |
| 2000 | 10 | 5% |
| 1999 | 5 | 2% |
| 1998 | 21 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 5% |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma
98 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsTires
29 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma
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