FaultScore

1998 Toyota Corolla suspension problems

19 of the 278 complaints about the 1998 Toyota Corolla are about the suspension — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 97,000 miles.

B

19

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Suspension 5 26.3%
Stabilizer BAR 5 26.3%
Front 4 21.1%
Wheel Bearing 2 10.5%
Control ARM 1 5.3%
Rear 1 5.3%
Shock Absorber 1 5.3%

Suspension across every Toyota Corolla year

1995 12 6.6%
1998 19 10.4%
1999 16 8.8%
2003 12 6.6%
2005 10 5.5%
2007 11 6.0%
2008 11 6.0%
2009 31 17.0%
2010 39 21.4%
2015 10 5.5%
2016 11 6.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 97,000 miles Westwego, LA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

I HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT A TOYOTA COROLLA 1998 AND EVERY TIME I TURN TO THE RIGHT I CAN HEAR A GRINDING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND I FEAR IT WILL COME OFF AND CAUSE A ACCIDENT. I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID TOYOTA HAD PROBLEMS WITH A BEARING ON THAT SIDE, WOULD YOU HELP ME CONFIRM THIS AS A PROBLEM OR DO I JUST DRIVE IT LIKE THIS HOPING IT DOESN'T FALL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10235345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springboro, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

SAFETY NON COMPLAINT SERVICE TO TOYOTA COROLLA.*MR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ON SEPT 23, 2003, AS PART OF THE REPAIR WORK, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE P ARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE COVERED FOR 12 MONTHS AND WAS GOOD AT ANY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP NATION WIDE. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR A 9000 MILES SERVICE, THE DEALER OBSERVED A NOISE DURING A TEST DRIVE, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE NOISE WAS DUE TO A BAD BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE PART AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER GO BACK TO THE DEALER THAT REPLACED IT IN BEGINNING.

NHTSA complaint #10091688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Orleans, LA

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

REAR STRUT ASSEMBLY FAILED. RUINED REAR TIRES AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #757943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Corpus Christi, TX

SUSPENSION:REAR

REAR END HITS THE GROUND WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS AND DIPS IN THE ROAD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8000760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Laguna NIG, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

THE INNER BEARING RACE WAS BROKEN PREMATURELY, AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING CASE HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #561609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Denton, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT

VEHICLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND BUSHINGS LUBRICATION BECAUSE THEY WERE CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE AFTER LUBE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING THE SQEAKING NOISE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #558526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Denton, TX

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND BUSHINGS LUBRICATION BECAUSE THEY WERE CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE AFTER LUBE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING THE SQEAKING NOISE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #558526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jackson, MO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

CONTROL ARM HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND HAD CAUSED VEHICLE EARLY WEAR ON TIRES, EVERY 20,000 MILES HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #876158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vernon ROC, CT

SUSPENSION

SUSPENSION IS VERY POOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN HEAVY WINDS.

NHTSA complaint #533993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vernon ROC, CT

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE SUSPENSION IS POOR RESULTING IN POOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL IN HIGH WINDS.

NHTSA complaint #533993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vernon ROC, CT

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE SUSPENSION IS POOR RESULTING IN POOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL IN HIGH WINDS.

NHTSA complaint #533993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Laurel, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT

HIGH SPEEDS CAR HARD TO CONTROL, CORNERS HORRIBLY,PITCHING MOTION OVER BUMPS, CRUNCHING NOISE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT

NHTSA complaint #712862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Enoree, SC

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE TURNS VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD DEALERS CAN'T FIND REMEDY.

NHTSA complaint #847972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

O Fallon, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A STABILIZER BAR. IT WAS AVAILABLE AS AN OPTION IF CUSTOM ORDERED.

NHTSA complaint #537508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palms, CA 1 injured

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

FIVE DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING 55-60MPH ON FREEWAY, VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL DURING A LANE CHANGE. CAR ENDED UP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DEALER DENIED PROBLEM. THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A FRONT STABILIZER BAR WAS NEVER MENTIONED DURING SALE OR AFTER SPIN OUT. I AM SUFFERING FROM SEVERE WHIPLASH AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. DEALER WILL NOT RETURN MONEY. I REFUSE TO DRIVE UNSAFE CAR AND CAR HAS REMAINED AT DEALER SINCE DAY OF SPIN OUT. I LEARNED OF NEED FOR STABILIZER BAR FROM APRIL 98 ISSUE OF CONSUMER REPORTS (WHICH STATES 98 CE MODELS DO NOT HANDLE WELL, AND FARED POORLY ON EMERGENCY HANDLING TESTS). STABILIZER BARS WERE MADE STANDARD IN ALL MODELS AS OF APRIL 1998. THE COROLLA WAS REDESIGNED IN 98, SO ALL VE AND CE MODELS BUILT AND SOLD PRIOR TO APRIL 98 LACK THIS CRUCIAL SAFETY FEATURE. I BELIEVE A DEFECT/RECALL INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint #702172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Iberia, LA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WHISTLING NOISE FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. (QCAW)

NHTSA complaint #538905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delight, AR

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

WHILE DRIVING 50 TO 60 MPH VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE DUE TO LACK OF FRONT STABILIZER BAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #826319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Knoxville, TN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A STABILIZER BAR. THEREFORE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #822760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vernon Rockville, CT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

WHILE DRIVNG VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE LURCHES LEFT TO RIGHT. OWNER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #821997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Toyota Corolla problems

← Full 1998 Toyota Corolla report