ToyotaTacoma1998L4/toyota/tacoma/1998/l4/

1998 Toyota Tacoma — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Tacoma L4. Covers both the standard and High Output L4.

Body TRUCKEngine L4

The 1998 Toyota Tacoma L4 is a truck powered by an L4 engine utilizing 5.3 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. This model year recorded 323 total owner complaints and six recalls, with the structure identified as the top complaint area. Within a broader model history spanning from 1995 to 2026, these figures place the 1998 model well below the peak of 782 complaints seen in 2006.

Model year201120102009200820062005200420031998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter178013502083 alt 1780107020
Fuel filter2330079446 alt 2330062010
Spark plug9091901176
Front wiper blades8522204012 alt 8521204012
Serpentine belt9008091090 alt 9091602336
Thermostat9091603120 alt 9091603075

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width66.5 in
Overall height62.2 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight2579 lb
Track (front / rear)55.1 / 55.9 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.3 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.8 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.3 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.4 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)90.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket116.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle67.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket67.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance9700-16,700 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.61 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression145-174 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle90 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle90 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Toyota Tacoma shows a sharp complaint spike to 323, more than doubling the 135 complaints recorded in 1997, though recall counts remained steady at 6 for the third consecutive year with no NHTSA investigations opened that year. The top complaint areas—Structure (87), Air Bags (40), Tires (32), and Seat Belts (19)—indicate widespread issues with body integrity and safety systems, while the 50 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints provide some reassurance on the most severe outcomes. Notably, 1998 sits at the start of a rising complaint trend that peaks in 2006 at 782 complaints, suggesting this generation's problems accumulated over time rather than appearing suddenly. The 97 TSBs issued for 1998 also represent elevated technical service activity compared to prior years. Given the high complaint volume relative to its predecessors, the 1998 model year appears less favorable than earlier examples from this generation, though it predates the more severe escalation that begins around 2005.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
97
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
323
Owner complaints
50 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 323 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure87
Air Bags40
Tires32
Seat Belts19
Suspension17
Service Brakes, Hydraulic16
Vehicle Speed Control15
Engine & Engine Cooling14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 97 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0043-142024-01-22EquipmentOBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
TTT0636202022-03-17Back Over PreventionTT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
Toyota Safety Re2021-03-17Air BagsToyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Tacoma L4 take?

5.3 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Tacoma have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.