Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

1998 Toyota T100Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 26 owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota T100. Most complaints involve structure (9) and suspension (5). The EPA rates it 15–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15–19mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2005
Owner complaints
26
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: connecting

Free remedy

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 RELAY ROD.

SteeringReported Sep 6, 2005NHTSA 05V389000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 1998 – Sep 2023
  1. Structure9
  2. Suspension5
  3. Seat belts4
  4. Power train3
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Electrical system2
  7. Steering2
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  9. Wheels1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each T100 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996113
199771
199826
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

9 reports
“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 frame and undercarriage was too extensive and might as such cause safety issues. I chose not to have it repaired because of this issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2023Suspension, Structure, Service brakesODI 11545062

Suspension

5 reports
“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 THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,925.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2013Suspension, StructureODI 10544356

Seat belts

4 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA T100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT LOCKS, BUT BECOMES LOOSE WHEN DRIVING. THE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, BUT THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2007Seat beltsODI 10194124
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.7L 4-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
T100 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172119$3,400468
T100 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
T100 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
161917$3,800523
T100 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
T100 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
T100 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141615$4,300592
  • T100 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 21 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • T100 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • T100 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    16 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • T100 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • T100 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • T100 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    14 city · 16 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Toyota T100 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 T100 questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota T100 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Toyota T100 problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (9), suspension (5), seat belts (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Toyota T100 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Toyota T100 at 15–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026