1988 Toyota Pickup recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 PICKUP.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E026000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (4), Seat belts (2), Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
09/08/2001 · Engine
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
02/11/2001 · Engine
FACTORY DEFECTIVE ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED INTERNALY CAUSING THE DRIVERS SIDE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET TO BLOW . FORCED OIL INTO THE RAIDIOR AND OUT ONTO THE BREAKING SYSTEM ON DRIVERS SIDE ONLY. THIS HAPPENED AT 4:30PM WHILE SLOWING ON A TURN TO STOP AT A FAIRLY NBUSY INTERSECTION. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT DUE TO LOSS OF BREAKING CONTROL. I H…
09/20/2000 · Wheels / tires
TREAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM TIRE (CRACK EXTENDS AROUND ENTIRE CIRCUMFRENCE OF TIRE).*AK( DOT NUMBER: W2 TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )
08/04/2000 · Engine
TOYOTA HAD A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. *AK
08/03/1999 · Seat belts
TRY TO CLICK TO SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLATCH. HAD TO CLIMB OUT. THEN WITH MUCH FORCE PRIED IT OPEN.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
08/30/1996 · Engine
REPLACED LOOS EGROUND WIRE CONNECTING TO ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD FROM WIRING HARNESS. *AK
07/06/1995 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT BUCKLE LOCKED DRIVER IN THE SEAT BELT. *AK