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CarComplaints.com Notes: There must have been something in the water at the plant where they built the eighth generation Corollas, especially the 1998 and 1999 model years.

Outside of airbag problems being reported to NHTSA, this is about as dependable a car as you’ll find. But good luck finding one; owners say they want a new car, but can’t justify trading in their Corolla because the darn thing just keeps rolling.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,143 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Toyota Corolla body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1998 Toyota Corolla Owner Comments

problem #14

Jan 272008

Corolla

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The front passenger door won't open both from inside and outside the vehicle. I took it the Toyota dealer and was told the problem is due to malfunction of the latch in door. The driver side door is starting to show the same problem. The problem was occurred some 2 years ago. It would cause serious consequence when the occupant(s) need to be evacuated from the vehicle should something happen in emergency, e.g. fire, road hazard, crush, etc.

- Painted Post, NY, USA

problem #13

Oct 292007

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles
A part in the door of my 1998 Toyota Corolla broke about two years ago. I could not open the driver's door from the outside. I got it fixed at the dealer for about $300. A few months ago, something in the same door malfunctioned. I am now unable to open the door from the inside. A few days ago, the original problem occurred again. I am now unable to open the driver's door.

- Grosse Ile, MI, USA

problem #12

Feb 072006

(reported on)

Corolla

  • 91,000 miles
1998 Toyota Corolla's driver side seat belt failed at the latch area where it hooks in. The trunk lock broke inside the cylinder and the drivers side door handle broke inside. The seat belt warning light illuminated and flashed although all the occupants had their seat belts buckled.

- South Royalton, VT, USA

problem #11

Jan 142005

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The door failed to opened. The inside door handle broke off the vehicle which meant that the door could not be closed from the inside.

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

problem #10

Jan 122004

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The door handle structure broke. This was said to be common in this type of vehicle. This is a safety risk.

- Pekin, IL, USA

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problem #9

Nov 082001

(reported on)

Corolla

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When trying to exit vehicle door handles on drivers and passengers side will not open, can be opened from outside using a key to lock and unlock. Had not taken vehicle to dealership.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #8

Aug 131999

Corolla

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All four door panels were replaced due to being stained by excessive glue melting in the panels, the weather strip on the driver door panel was also replaced due to it coming apart.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 262000

Corolla

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 10 mph, another vehicle going about 30 mph hit consumer's vehicle from driver's side door, and driver's side air bag did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this crash. The driver side door was damaged due to the accident.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #6

Nov 011998

Corolla

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
All four doors let in water when it rains.

- Amelia, OH, USA

problem #5

Nov 011999

Corolla

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Everytime it rains all 4 doors leak. Contact dealer, and nothing they could do. Vehicle is smelling moldy.

- Amelia, OH, USA

problem #4

Sep 011998

Corolla

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Outside door trim. Passenger side airbag.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 081999

(reported on)

Corolla

  • miles
Left front door scuff plate.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #2

May 011998

Corolla

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Drive side door failed.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 202009

Corolla 4-cyl

  • miles
1998 Toyota Corolla. Accelerated on its own. On August 20, 1999, the consumer complained about a rubbing sound in the area of the right rear tire when the brakes were applied early in the mornings. The mechanic could not find anything wrong. The door panels were replaced due to the glue coming through the fabric. The dome light would not come on at times. The consumer suspected there may be an electrical problem. The consumer stated while driving at a speed of 44 mph, the vehicle would accelerate and then decrease in speed. The consumer first noticed the problem when the air conditioner was on. Updated 05/26/10.

- New Port R, FL, USA

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