1998 Toyota Tacoma Base 4x2 AC
All photo credits
- Photo: 2002 Toyota Tacoma in Imperial Jade Green Mica, front left, 10-12-2025 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: DiamondBack Covers - 5204688622 by DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2002 Toyota Tacoma in Imperial Jade Green Mica, rear left, 10-12-2025 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1998 Toyota Tacoma Base 4x2 AC is a 142-hp 2.4-liter inline-4 pickup truck with rear-wheel drive. It starts at $15,128 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.
It makes 142 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 160 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Pickup |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $15,128 ($30,163 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.4L DOHC 16-valve EFI I4 |
| Displacement | 2.4 L |
| Horsepower | 142 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 160 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 16-valve |
| Injection Type | Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD (front engine, rear-wheel drive) |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 19 MPG |
| Highway | 25 MPG |
| Combined | 21 MPG |
| Tank Capacity | 15.1 gal |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Width | 66.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 121.9 in |
| Interior | |
| Legroom Front | 42.8 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1998 Toyota Tacoma Base 4x2 AC with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota TACOMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 11, 2009 · EXTERIOR 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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
Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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
May 24, 2006 · 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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
Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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
Aug 6, 1998 · AIR 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."
Consequence: IF THE AIR BAG SWITCH IS "OFF," THE SEAT OCCUPANT WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE PASSENGER RISK GROUP WOULD BE SUBJECT TO INCREASED INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL.
NHTSA campaign 98V188000
310 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota TACOMA
Owner Complaints
310 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota TACOMA (50 mention a crash, 25 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Structure | 99 |
| Air Bags | 47 |
| Tires | 30 |
| Suspension | 27 |
| Seat Belts | 24 |
| Service Brakes | 21 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.