1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5
4TAWM72N2WZ004633
Vehicle history report for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 (VIN 4TAWM72N2WZ004633). Red. 231,989 mi reported. Registered in Nc. 5 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 1998 Toyota Tacoma worth?
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What a full report checks for VIN 4TAWM72N2WZ004633
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STATEMENT REQUIRED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT "...THE ON-OFF SWITCH SHOULD ONLY BEN USED WHEN A MEMBER OF A PASSENGER RISK GROUP IDENTIFIED IN THE REQUEST FORM IN APPENDIX B......IS OCCUPYING THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEATING POSITION..." IS MIS-STATED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL.
NHTSA Campaign #98V188000 · 06/08/1998We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 323 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 323
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the subframe was severely corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Campaign: 10030357-0006 (Frame Corrosion-Preventative Compound); however, the VIN …
NHTSA ODI #11642253SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while inspecting the subframe of the vehicle, he noticed that there was a hole in the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stated that the failure had increased significantly. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist a…
NHTSA ODI #11503438AIR 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]. I…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #11474087UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Left and right Frame members forward of the rear leaf spring mounts are severely rusted. According to the Toyota dealership who inspected it, the frame is compromised and their is a potential for structural failure in a collision. I purchased the vehicle in October of 2020 from the original owner who maintained it in immaculate condition. The rusted areas…
NHTSA ODI #11456901STRUCTURE
I BOUGHT A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 AUTOMATIC WITH 106995 ON THE ODOMETER AND I AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING IT INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THE RIGHT SIDE REAR FRAME IS TESTED TO BAD
NHTSA ODI #11399788UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
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. …
NHTSA ODI #11399558STRUCTURE
FRAME IS VERY BAD SHAPE DUE TO RUST PROBLEM AND BROKEN
NHTSA ODI #11203515STRUCTURE
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE FRAME SEPARATED IN HALF. LUCKILY HE WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE AND GET IT OFF OF THE ROAD WITHOUT HARM TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS. THE TRUCK WAS LATER TRAILERED TO A FRIENDS HOUSE WHERE A TEMPORARY BRACE WAS WELDED ON. WE LATER BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A DEALERSHIP WHO TOOK …
NHTSA ODI #11186670+ 315 more complaints on record.






