1998 Toyota Tacoma Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 9%of 300 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 167,276miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, 9% of the 300 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 167,276 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hello, my vehicle is a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. It has approx. 152,000 miles on it. The issue I am having with the vehicle is primarily frame rust, the frame is beginning to look like swiss cheese. The frame of the vehicle is in terrible shape, the spare tire even fell out due to rust. I called Toyota to inquire about the frame rust and was told that there is no warranty to cover this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10543620, filed 2013-09, 152,500 miles“Driving down a busy boulevard, my wheel fell off and my vehicle slammed on the ground. I am lucky to not have killed anyone, and am still afraid to drive my vehicle. Faulty ball joints + rusted frames make this vehicle potentially very dangerous. Toyota initiated a program to buy tacomas back directly from consumers, but I was not notified of the program. Now I am stuck with a potentially incredibly dangerous truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10631243, filed 2014-09, 149,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10676551, filed 2015-01, 199,000 miles“My vehicle's frame is dangerously rusting out. I heard there was a recall and when I called Toyota about two years ago the said I had just missed the cut off. Since then it had gotten progressively worse. The body mounts have separated from the frame and where the leaf spring is attached is getting ready to separate. These are also holes in the frame. If anybody has any advise would be greatly appreciated. Does not seem right that they could have a recall and I was never contacted and when I contacted them that they told me I missed it by only months?”
NHTSA complaint #10716109, filed 2015-05, 140,000 miles“The other day I was driving down the road and hit a small pothole with my 1998 Toyota Tacoma and the bottom leaf in the drivers side rear leaf spring pack snapped in half. And is now hanging down and it can potentially make contact with my tires sidewall.”
NHTSA complaint #10215601, filed 2008-01, 167,552 milesSuspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 8% |
| 2024 | 5 | 3% |
| 2023 | 2 | 4% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 14 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% |
| 2012 | 21 | 7% |
| 2011 | 60 | 32% |
| 2010 | 95 | 32% |
| 2009 | 119 | 23% |
| 2008 | 125 | 28% |
| 2007 | 118 | 22% |
| 2006 | 154 | 20% |
| 2005 | 137 | 19% |
| 2004 | 85 | 20% |
| 2003 | 66 | 18% |
| 2002 | 82 | 25% |
| 2001 | 81 | 20% |
| 2000 | 52 | 25% |
| 1999 | 35 | 14% |
| 1998 | 28 | 9% |
| 1997 | 24 | 18% |
| 1996 | 87 | 34% |
| 1995 | 90 | 51% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma
98 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsTires
29 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaintsBrakes
21 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