Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Toyota T100, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 4 | 15% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 15% |
| Power train | 3 | 12% |
| Suspension | 2 | 8% |
| Suspension | 2 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 8% |
| Steering | 2 | 8% |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% |
| Structure | 1 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Took my truck to a body shop to have dings and a few rusted spots on it repaired. The business owner and repair person put it on the rack and after examination, informed me that it was not worth the repairs, because the
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
OWNED SINCE 2003, THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 140,000 MILES, BUT MY MECHANIC ADVISES THAT FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I'VE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND THAT TOYOTA HAS AN ACTIVE RECALL. REAR BUMPER HAS A
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA T100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE CORROSION. THE CONTACT OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE BODY TO FRAME MOUNT HAS RUSTED AWAY BREAKING THREE PARTS OF THE FRAME. THE TOP OF THE FRAME IS THE ONLY PART HOLDING THE TRUCK TOGETHER, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH RESULTED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTI
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE TRUCK HAS 98,000 MILES. THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE RIGHT SIDE BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL AND IN FRONT OF THE BACK WHEEL. THE TRUCK WILL NOT PASS PA STATE INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA T100 WITH 143K MILES ON IT. THE FRAME IS NOW BROKE UNDER THE BED NEAR THE FRONT LEAF SPRING SHACKLE, BESIDE A BED MOUNT. THE OTHER SIDE IS ALSO CRACKED BAD AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK. I ALSO NOTICED THE C
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA T100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE SPECIALIST ADVISED HIM THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR FRAME SPRINGS MOUNT WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND EXHIBITED HOLES. THE TIRE SPECIALIST ADVISED THA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THIS 1998 T100 WAS AN AWESOME TRUCK, BUT LIKE ALL TOYOTAS THE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH. THE STEEL THAT IS USED ON THESE IS COMPLETE JUNK.. THIS IS WHERE THE AMERICAN COMPANY'S HAVE IT. I LIKE THE QUESTIONS TO ANSWER, WA
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 Toyota T100. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELA
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 87 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 89 | excellent |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 4 of them (15%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 87/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 79/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.