FaultScore

1998 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems

47 of the 358 complaints about the 1998 Toyota Tacoma are about the airbag system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 166,894 miles.

F

47

Complaints

43

Crashes

0

Fires

20

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 30 63.8%
AIR Bags 13 27.7%
Side/Window 4 8.5%

Airbags across every Toyota Tacoma year

1995 10 2.0%
1996 17 3.4%
1998 47 9.3%
1999 38 7.5%
2000 25 4.9%
2001 20 3.9%
2002 19 3.7%
2003 27 5.3%
2004 15 3.0%
2005 48 9.5%
2006 77 15.2%
2007 45 8.9%
2008 29 5.7%
2009 13 2.6%
2010 16 3.2%
2011 17 3.4%
2013 10 2.0%
2014 10 2.0%
2015 11 2.2%
2017 13 2.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Winter Haven, FL Crash

AIR BAGS

I had an accident over a year ago and the airbags did not deploy then I ask the guy that fixed it told me that it didn't have the sensor on the front of my truck, and I wonder why. Now I realized the never saw that sensor on my truck, and want to know what is happening with my truck if other vehicles are involved in the same situation. Sincerely: [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11474087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Louisville, KY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A DRIVER NOT PAYING ATTENTION, SENT AIRBORNE, FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS, THEN HIT A PARKED CAR. AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVER OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11015435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 287,000 miles VON Ormy, TX Crash

AIR BAGS

MY TRUCK WAS TRAVELING IN MIDDLE LANE OF INTERSTATE WHEN TRAFFIC ON THE RIGHT WAS SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT AND ANOTHER TRUCK IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME ON THE RIGHT DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND SWERVED INTO THE MIDDLE LANE FAILING TO YIELD CAUSING MY TRUCK TO STRIKE HIS TRUCK CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND TOTALING MY TRUCK. DURING THIS ACCIDENT THAT CRUSHED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10483591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 133,788 miles SAN Mateo, CA

AIR BAGS

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. MY WIFE, THE DRIVER, SUFFERED BRUISED RIBS AND A HEADACHE. FIRE AND POLICE RESPONDED TO EMERGENCY CALL.

NHTSA complaint #10425071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Pass Christian, MS Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

MY SON WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. AN SUV RAN A RED LIGHT WHEN HE HAD A GREEN LIGHT. HIS TRUCK WAS SMASHED IN THE FRONT AND WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA PRE-RUNNER. I'VE HEARD THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AT 35 MPH. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE.

NHTSA complaint #10358832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Montpelier, VA Crash

AIR BAGS

I COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE THAT FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA COLLIDED WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OF A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. IN SPITE OF EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE TACOMA, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10093943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Woodruff, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE UPPER BODY INJURIES, AND WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR TWO DAYS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10065435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berthoud, CO Crash

AIR BAGS

UPON FRONTAL COLLISION AT 40-45 MPH IN THE FRONT MIDDLE TO LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OWNERS INFORMATION STATES THE AIR BAG SHOULD GO OFF AT 14 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10050599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Snyder, TX Crash

AIR BAGS

MY HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10030357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunnyvale, CA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 30 MPH YET NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10015343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Modesto, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10015353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waluku, HI Crash

AIR BAGS

THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT DOWN A 15 FEET. EMBANKMENT AND LANDED ON THE NOSE OF THE VEHICLE, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10015071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Maple Ridge, 00

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A DEFECTIVE SPIRAL CABLE AND WAS FIXED. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THE DEALER TO REFUND THE COST OF REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #566410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Jackson, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

DURING A CAR CRASH, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE HIT A RAMP AND FLIPPED SIX TIMES. THE DRIVER SUFFERED MAJOR CUTS AND CRACKED SHOULDER DURING THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #8008398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harmdeal, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

WHILE TRAVELING 50-55 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8005852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Martinez, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, DRIVER WAS INJURED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8004578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moreno Valley, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING LOST CONTROL, AND VEHICLE HIT A BRICK. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8004148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monroe, MI

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG MALFUNTION LIGHT CAME ON, SWITCH REPLACED, ABOUT 14 MONTHS LATER, SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #750773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lexington, KY Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #894841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warriormine, WV Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING 30-35 MPH CONSUMER WAS BLINDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE'S FOG LIGHT,AND VEHICLE RAN INTO A TELPHONE HEAD-ON , AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #891107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellaire, TX Crash 3 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AS A RESULT.

NHTSA complaint #736452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grants Pass, OR Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

DRIVING AT 30MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 4 VEHICLE ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE HAD MODERATE INTRUSION INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH CAUSING CHEST TO HIT STEERING WHEEL AND KNEES TO HIT DASH

NHTSA complaint #733927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST Augustine, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED A VEHICLE HAD STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT ENDED UP REARENDING THE VEHICLE WITH A 30 MPH IMPACT. DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJUIRES , SEATBELTS WAS WORN AT THE TIME. OWNER'S MANUAL STATED AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY UPON A 14 MPH IMPACT. VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE DAMAGE, AND IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO BEND THE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #870819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cold Spring, NY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 35-40 MPH, TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A JEEP WRANGLER, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. TRUCK WAS BEING REPAIRED. WHOLE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED, TOTAL AMOUNT OF DAMAGES WAS $9,500.00. *AK

NHTSA complaint #864141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Amaheim, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE , AND RESULTING IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT TIGHTEN UP.

NHTSA complaint #862939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, KS Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

A PERSON TURNED INTO THE PATH OF MY TRUCK, I HIT HER @ 30MPH, CENTER OF MY TRUCK HIT THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER OF HER CAR, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #723137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Knoxville, TN Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME OUT FROM THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #859086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Jolla, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT DURING WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. YH

NHTSA complaint #550739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stuart, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN PULLING INTO A TURNING LANE WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND , THEN L TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKES AGAIN THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT RESPOND. THEN, THIRD TIME THE REAR END BRAKES JUST SIMPLY LOCKED UP, REAR ENDING A MERCEDES 30MPH. THEN, THE TRUCK WENT TO THE SIDE AND LIGHTLY HIT ANOTHER TOYOTA TRUCK, NIETHER SIDES OFF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND MY TRUCK RECEIVED HEAVY FRONT CLIP DAMAGE AND HEAVY SIDE DAMAGE, L WAS LEFT WITH NO WAY TO GET TO WORK , SINCE THEN THE TRUCK HAS BEEN REPOSSED AND LM BEING SUED APPROSS.30,000 DOLLARS. L STILL THANK GOD IM OK AND SO WAS EVERY BODY ELSE

NHTSA complaint #718638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Walkertown, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA complaint #848960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Toyota Tacoma problems

← Full 1998 Toyota Tacoma report