Toyota Corolla / 1998
1998 Toyota Corolla problems
Owners have filed 278 complaints about the 1998 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA. Air bags account for 23% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of structure at 8.6%.
Complaints278
Crashes45
Fires9
Injuries37
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 23.0% · 64
Structure 8.6% · 24
Suspension 6.8% · 19
Vehicle speed control 6.5% · 18
Steering 6.5% · 18
Engine and engine cooling 6.1% · 17
Seat belts 6.1% · 17
Electrical system 5.8% · 16
Severity
Of those complaints, 45 describe a crash, 9 describe a fire and 37 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 33 model years of the Toyota Corolla in this data, 1998 sits 17th by complaint volume. 2009 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 76,691 miles.
In owners' own words
Both front airbags deployed with a mod-speed front right crash by oncoming vehicle. Drivers front airbag started smoldering emitting an acrid gray smoke (electrical wiring?) From the base of the airbag; stopped smoking when disconnected battery. Passenger airbag broke front windshield when it deployed (had no passenger). Are either of these situations common/normal with airbag deployment? Air bags
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Corolla. The contact was involved in a crash. None of the air bags deployed. The contact sustained a broken rib, fractured bone and whiplash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 167,000. Air bags · reported at 167,000 miles
'Air bag' light flashing. Code 44 in memory (right side air bag circuit). Independent service center followed flow chart test recommendations. High resistance in harness between module and right air bag. Harness was replaced at a cost of $529. Old harness was saved if ever needed for testing. *Nlm Air bags · reported at 108,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…