Toyota Motor Corporation: Safety Recalls in 1998

Updated on March 31, 2026.

There were 5 safety recalls made by Toyota Motor Corporation in 1998. See the details of the recalls below.

You can also see similar information for other manufacturers.

Data Source: NHTSA.

See this for other years:

October 19, 1998

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA/AUDIOVOX/THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS (TDS) SUPPLIED BY AUDIOVOX CORPORATION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN 'OPEN CIRCUIT' CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.

NHTSA ID: 98V278000

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

# of Units Affected: 1,960

Consequence Summary:

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.

Corrective Action:

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE LABEL ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS AND ANY DISPLAYING THE MANUFACTURING/FINAL DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY PRODUCED HARNESSES. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

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August 6, 1998

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

TOYOTA/FMVSS 208

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."

NHTSA ID: 98V188000

Component: AIR BAGS

# of Units Affected: 84,323

Consequence Summary:

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.

Corrective Action:

OWNERS WILL BE SENT A CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

View Full Recall Details

July 8, 1998

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

TOYOTA/STEERING WHEEL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT IN JAPAN. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.

NHTSA ID: 98V155000

Component: STEERING

# of Units Affected: 104,928

Consequence Summary:

THE NUT CAN EVENTUALLY COME OFF ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Action:

DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE STEERING SET NUT.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

View Full Recall Details

April 17, 1998

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

TOYOTA/VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE YAW RATE SENSOR FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), THE VSC CAN OPERATE IMPROPERLY IF THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY CERTAIN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES, SUCH AS FROM A CELLULAR PHONE.

NHTSA ID: 98V080000

Component: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL

# of Units Affected: 14,855

Consequence Summary:

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BRAKE MAY OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AFFECTING STEERING AND SPEED CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Action:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

View Full Recall Details

January 27, 1998

(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))

TOYOTA/STARTER MOTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE TERMINAL FOR THE STARTER MOTOR MAGNETIC SWITCH, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR IF ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE LIQUID, SUCH AS ROAD SPLASH WITH DEICING SALT, ENTERS THIS AREA.

NHTSA ID: 98V016000

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

# of Units Affected: 47,525

Consequence Summary:

A STARTER MOTOR NO-START CONDITION OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE CAN RESULT.

Corrective Action:

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAGNETIC SWITCH.

Park Outside Advisory: No

Do not Drive Advisory: No

View Full Recall Details