14th Oct 2005, 19:42

I have a 98 Tacoma with 100,000 miles, all that has been done to it is routine maintenance.

15th Nov 2005, 16:57

Update! I am the original poster on this thread and I stumbled in to report that the tacoma is chugging along well with 108,000 miles. No problems other than that spring issue oh so long ago. Still very satisfied.

6th Apr 2006, 20:47

Update! Again, I am the original poster here to inform you of the second problem in this trucks lifetime. The truck has 113,100 miles and the airbag light located on the dash came on. Went to the dealership to have it checked out and it turned out the connector behind the passenger-side airbag switch on the dash came loose. Popped it back on. No repair. The general diagnostic fee was charged, but that's it. Not too shabby for this kind of mileage. Good luck with yours.

25th Aug 2006, 19:19

Update! It's me again! The original author! I'm back to share that a new repair has been completed by me. The stay cable for the tailgate snapped a few days ago. The plastic coating wore off when getting pinched by the tailgate closing. The worn plastic coating exposed the steel cable causing it to rust and snap under pressure.

The resulting replacement part cost $14.00 from the dealership! That would be a grand total of $114 spent on repair on this vehicle in it's lifetime between the diagnostic test previously mentioned and this cable replacement! That's nuts!I have 118,200 miles!

I was speaking to a coworker about his dodge ram that has 180,000 miles, and he told me he has spent $50,000 on repairs over the years! That's nuts!

Needless to say, I think I got the better vehicle. I'll keep you posted.

23rd Sep 2006, 17:30

I purchased a 1998 extra cab Toyota Tacoma back in 1998. I have had three problems with this truck. A sensor in the fuel system, a cable that holds the tailgate from dropping below 90 degrees, and last of all a single broken rear leaf spring. The sensor happened several year ago, the cable broke 2 or 3 years ago, and the leaf spring just broke last month. However, I just found what the rattling sound was today - the single leaf springs vibrating between the top and bottom.

6th Oct 2006, 17:03

Hi,

I also purchased a used extended cab 1998 Tacoma in 2001. In June of 2002 I also had a broken leaf spring replaced while under warranty.

Since then I only had basic maintenance and a water pump replaced. Good for a truck with over 120K.

About three weeks ago I started hearing a familiar clunking again. After taking my truck to the dealer I was informed I again have a broken leaf spring. This truck is driven very little at this time and never for towing, heavy loads, or 4wheeling it's basically a second vehicle. I'm not used to hearing about broken leaf springs at all, but two on the same truck within 4 years doesn't sound good to me. and Toyota says it's wear and tear and won't even think about replacing this one.

Sorry I just had to vent a bit. Basically I want to say if you have this problem please let Toyota know about it. Unless it's reported they won't do anything.

Besides this I am very happy with my Toyota's my other is a 4runner.

26th Jul 2009, 15:33

Same problem here, I have a 98 Tacoma Xtra Cab 4wd manual SR5. Bought in 2004 and broke 1 leaf in 2006 with little off road and little towing being done. I bought a replacement leaf from dealer. Within 6 months, the same leaf on other side broke. This is when I decided to buy high quality aftermarket springs (all of the leafs) to fix the problem once and for all.

It is 2009 and both sides have a broken leaf in them again. I am currently trying to find a proven solution that works. Maybe a lift with stronger springs.

Love my truck otherwise; it has 225,000 miles and runs great.

27th Jul 2009, 17:25

I have a Durango V8 with 252000 miles same drivetrain the 50K comment is only likely if fuel plus repairs were added together

Gets tiresome reading crap sometimes.

8th Dec 2009, 21:45

I just bought a 1999 Tacoma regular cab 2.7l 4x4 5 speed with a 175,000 miles and it has the sport package. So far I am really impressed with it. I got a deal on it. Only paid $5000 cash, what a steal. So far I have changed the oil and transmission oil, and she runs great. I was after a 22re but after driving the 2.7l I was extremely impressed with the power difference. I have searched for a long time to get one of these and I hope to have it for a very long time.

9th Dec 2009, 09:56

Wow, $5,000 for a 10-year-old pickup with 'only' 175,000 miles on it. Yeah, that's a real steal, alright!

9th Dec 2009, 16:09

That's an example of how well Toyota's hold their value. That truck was probably worth more, as Tacoma's last forever. He probably did get quite a steal.

16th Apr 2010, 00:24

Purchased a new 2000 Toyota Tacoma. This is my third and last one. Two instances of broken rear leaf springs, hundreds of dollars spent on bad sensors (check engine light), bad U joint even though greased twice a year, have given up on the radio ever working again, bumper rot in the trailer hitch area, the brake light is always on unless one constantly adjusts the parking brake travel, frame rotting out prematurely, intermittent stalling that has yet to be diagnosed.

The two previous Toyota trucks I have owned (made in Japan) each went nearly 300,000 miles with no malfunctions other than age related. The 2000 was made in the US. "Oh what a feeling"

16th Apr 2010, 15:28

Toyota flushed its reputation down the toilet when they started building cars in the States. Had they kept it in Japan, they wouldn't be dealing with massive recalls. After all, only the American built models were recalled.