Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 26 of 287 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
55 crash reports10 fire reports38 injury reports
What owners actually said
287 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL GEL'S UP THE ENGINE AND ON THIS CASE CAUSES A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL. DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL BUILDING UP ON THE ENGINE AT THIS TIME THERE IS A RECALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THIS RECALL IS ON…
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CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL GEL'S UP THE ENGINE AND ON THIS CASE CAUSES A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL. DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL BUILDING UP ON THE ENGINE AT THIS TIME THERE IS A RECALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THIS RECALL IS ONLY ON YEARS 97 AND UP WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. TS
NHTSA ODI #8022820
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2002
Air Bags
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE AIR BAG DEPLOY FOR NO REASON CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER AND THEY WAS FORCE TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE AIR BAG DEPLOY FOR NO REASON CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER AND THEY WAS FORCE TO PULL OVER. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021269
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2002
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlFireInjury
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH VEHICLE WAS BROAD SIDED, AND CONSUMER COULDN'T SHUT VEHICLE OFF OR REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION AFTER BEING HIT. NLMTHE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE NEVER SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO COLLIDE HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND HITTING A TREE HEAD ON. THE MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE…
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CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH VEHICLE WAS BROAD SIDED, AND CONSUMER COULDN'T SHUT VEHICLE OFF OR REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION AFTER BEING HIT. NLMTHE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE NEVER SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO COLLIDE HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND HITTING A TREE HEAD ON. THE MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE INCIDENT. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8020158
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO ENGINE GEL OR SLUDGE. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK IT TOO LIED ABOUT THE FAILURE AS WELL AS TOYOTA CORPORATE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS PARTICULARLY INSULTING BECAUSE WE OWN A 1998 CAMRY THAT IS UNDER THE GEL PROGRAM AND HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH CAMRY'S. WE…
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THIS ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO ENGINE GEL OR SLUDGE. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK IT TOO LIED ABOUT THE FAILURE AS WELL AS TOYOTA CORPORATE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS PARTICULARLY INSULTING BECAUSE WE OWN A 1998 CAMRY THAT IS UNDER THE GEL PROGRAM AND HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH CAMRY'S. WE TRUSTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AND THEY LIED AND SAID THAT IT WAS AN UNFORESEEN PROBLEM AND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD CAUSED IT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS MATTER TIRELESSLY AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE 2.2 LITER ENGINE THAT IS IN THIS CAR IS IN FACT AT RISK FOR GEL OR SLUDGE. I BELEIVE THAT I HAVE PROOF OF THE SLUDGE PROBELM. TOYOTA CORPORATE IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBLITLY FOR THIS ENGINE FAILURE THEY PAID FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR UNDER A GOODWILL WARRANTY AND NEVER TOLD ME WHY THIS HAPPENED TO THIS ENGINE. WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED LUCKILY MY SON WAS ON A CITY STREET,, WHAT IF HE HAD BEEN ON ONE OF THE MANY BRIDGES IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA OR TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED? WHEN WILL THE NHSTA HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECTIVE ENGINES THAT THEY HAVE WORKED SO HARD DEFENDING WHILE BLAMING OWNERS?*AK
NHTSA ODI #766906
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Steering
STEERING WHEEL NUT IS LOOSE, AND COULD CAUSE STEERING FAILURE. CAUSE UNKNOWN DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8013519
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2002
Electrical System
CONSUMER TURNED IGNITION KEY TO START VEHICLE AT THAT MOMENT THERE WAS A EXPLOSION UNDER HOOD. BATTERY HAD EXPLODED, TOYOTA BRAND.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012913
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2002
Steering
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V155000 CONCERNING STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER HAS CONFIRMED RECALL WITH MANUFACTURER. HAS TAKEN RECALL NOTICE AND VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP HAD REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8012484
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Electrical System
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY BLUE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH TAIL PIPE. VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8011692
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2002
Steering
WHEN A RIGHT TURN IS MADE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP . AFTER TURN IS COMPLETED STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKS AND RETURNS TO NORMAL CONDITIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8011274
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2002
Steering
WIFE REPORTS STEERING LOCKS SOMETIMES DURING RIGHT TURNS. SHE TOLD ME LAST WEEK. I JUST HAD DEALER REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP BUT THAT MAY NOT BE PROBLEM. IT MAY BE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND INFREQUENT.*AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT IN JAPAN. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE STEERING SET NUT.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA97014 · Steering Wheel Separation/disengagement
Opened Jun 3, 1997 · Closed Jul 14, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
BY LETTER DATED JULY 8, 1998, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED NHTSA OF IT DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 105,000 OF THE SUBJECT 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES BUILT IN JAPAN.THIS SAFETY RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ESTIMATED 218,000 SIMILAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES.NHTSA HAS DESIGNATED THIS RECALL ACTION AS CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V-155.A COPY OF THE MANUFACTURER'S LETTER TO NHTSA REGARDING THIS ACTION IS ATTACHED.
PE97004 · Steering Wheel Separation/disengagement
Opened Jan 29, 1997 · Closed Jun 3, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
FURTHER INFORMATION AND DATA ARE REQUIRED TO FULLY ASSESS THIS ISSUE.OF SPECIFIC AND IMMEDIATE CONCERN ARE MANUFACTURING/ASSEMBLY/QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES EMPLOYED TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME STEERING COMPONENTS.FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE, THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
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