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1998 Toyota Camry

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Camry years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota Camry are substantially higher than the model-year median of 295.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

164 reports with mileage · 436 unknown

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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

64 crash reports31 fire reports35 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

92 reports
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134,740 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC RADIATOR HAD BECOME OVERHEATED AND FRACTURED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THERE WAS A CRACKED IN THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC RADIATOR HAD BECOME OVERHEATED AND FRACTURED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THERE WAS A CRACKED IN THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,740.

NHTSA ODI #10454167

145,673 miles · Jan 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

IT JUST STALLS FOR NO REASON. SOMETIMES IT STALLS AT A LIGHT SOMETIMES IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES IT WONT STALL FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10374697

150,000 miles · Oct 20, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ON 10/19/10 MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS ON FILE UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I PARK THE CAR AT STATER BROS AND WENT INSIDE TO BUY GROCERIES . I HEAD THE CASHIER SAY SOMEONE CAR IS ON FIRE. I RAN OUT FROM THE PARKING LOTS AND I SAW MY CAR IN SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND TRY TO SAVE MY CAR. NOW MY CAR IS TOTAL GONE. …

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ON 10/19/10 MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS ON FILE UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I PARK THE CAR AT STATER BROS AND WENT INSIDE TO BUY GROCERIES . I HEAD THE CASHIER SAY SOMEONE CAR IS ON FIRE. I RAN OUT FROM THE PARKING LOTS AND I SAW MY CAR IN SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND TRY TO SAVE MY CAR. NOW MY CAR IS TOTAL GONE. EVERYTHING BURN UNDER THE HOOD. I WOULD NEVER BUY TOYOTA CAMRY AGAIN. DUE TO COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361467

100,000 miles · Jul 1, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK INSIDE OF THE OIL FILTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN OIL CHANGE FACILITY WHERE THE OIL FILTER WAS NOT INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE ENGINE OVER HEATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT L…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK INSIDE OF THE OIL FILTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN OIL CHANGE FACILITY WHERE THE OIL FILTER WAS NOT INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE ENGINE OVER HEATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT LOCAL MECHANIC. THE SECOND MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT AN OIL LEAK ALONG WITH A DAMAGED FILTER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10340928

161,000 miles · May 31, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

ON MAY 13, 2010 APPROX 9:15 PM WHILE DRIVING A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6, CAR STALLED/MALFUNCTIONED WHILE BEING PULLED OVER BY CHP WHICH CAUSED REAR END COLLISION SPIN OUT AND 2 OTHER CAR ACCIDENTS, I HAVE PROOF (VIDEO, PHOTOS, RECEIPTS, AND SERVICE HISTORY) THE CAR'S THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AND OR OTHER…

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ON MAY 13, 2010 APPROX 9:15 PM WHILE DRIVING A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6, CAR STALLED/MALFUNCTIONED WHILE BEING PULLED OVER BY CHP WHICH CAUSED REAR END COLLISION SPIN OUT AND 2 OTHER CAR ACCIDENTS, I HAVE PROOF (VIDEO, PHOTOS, RECEIPTS, AND SERVICE HISTORY) THE CAR'S THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AND OR OTHER SYSTEMS CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED IVOQ 08/17/10 *TR UPDATED IVOQ 10/06/10 UPDATED IVOQ 11/17/10 IT WAS DETERMINED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE OUTER DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/12/11

NHTSA ODI #10333959

89,500 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment Adaptive/mobility

TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND OWNER WITH UNFORTUNATE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR DRIVEN NORMALLY IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF THE DAY AS AN ELDER. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED, THE OIL LEAKS, THE FLOORMAT INTERFERES WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STICKS, INTERFERING WITH BRAKING EXPERIENCED RECENTLY ON THE NY-CT HIGHWAY. I PAID TO REPAIR THE …

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TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND OWNER WITH UNFORTUNATE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR DRIVEN NORMALLY IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF THE DAY AS AN ELDER. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED, THE OIL LEAKS, THE FLOORMAT INTERFERES WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STICKS, INTERFERING WITH BRAKING EXPERIENCED RECENTLY ON THE NY-CT HIGHWAY. I PAID TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND OIL LEAKS AND STILL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS INDICATED FOR EXAMPLE BY THE DASHBOARD WHICH IS CONTINUOUSLY LIT UP, I.E. IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WROTE TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC. 19001 SOUTH WESTERN AVE. DEPT. WC11 TORRANCE, CA 90501 CC: NANCY FEIN, VP CUSTOMER SERVICE TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA INC., PO BOX 10054 TOLDEO OHIO 43682-4419. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318205

65,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION OF 110 MPH. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE IDENTICAL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION OF 110 MPH. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO THE "PARK" POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 03/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/21/10

NHTSA ODI #10313678

81,446 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

EGR VALVE BROKEN AND VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE NOT WORKING. ENGINE DIES (SOMETIMES TOTALLY DIES AND SOMETIMES DIES AND STARTS AFTER A MOMENT) AFTER TAKING EXIT FROM HIGHWAYS AND SOMETIMES ON HIGHWAYS AT 65 M/HR. STEERING GETS LOCKED (CANNOT TURN) BECAUSE ENGINE DIES OUT. FORTUNATELY DIDN'T INVOLVE IN MAJOR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF T…

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EGR VALVE BROKEN AND VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE NOT WORKING. ENGINE DIES (SOMETIMES TOTALLY DIES AND SOMETIMES DIES AND STARTS AFTER A MOMENT) AFTER TAKING EXIT FROM HIGHWAYS AND SOMETIMES ON HIGHWAYS AT 65 M/HR. STEERING GETS LOCKED (CANNOT TURN) BECAUSE ENGINE DIES OUT. FORTUNATELY DIDN'T INVOLVE IN MAJOR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. HOWEVER THERE WERE MINOR ACCIDENTS WITH NO DAMAGE TO ANY PROPERTY INCLUDING MY VEHICLE. PROBLEM RESOLVED AFTER REPLACING EGR & VSV ASSEMBLIES. VERY FORTUNATE I DIDN'T INVOLVE IN ANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AS SEVERAL TIMES MY VEHICLE STOPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN ON HIGHWAYS AT AROUND 60 M/HR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308827

119,181 miles · Aug 31, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

THE BALANCE SHAFT HIT THE OIL PAN AND MADE A HOLE IN THE ENGINE AND THE OIL SPREAD ALL OVER THE ENGINE THAT LED TO LOT OF SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282453

150,000 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL CONDITIONS THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED FLAMES FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL CONDITIONS THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED FLAMES FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED DAMAGES WITH HEAVY SMOKE AND FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 09/18/09. *LJ UPDATED 09/18/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10280973

Official recalls

2

01V012000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jan 16, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND V6 ENGINES, AND BUILT AT ONE OF TWO LINES AT THE KENTUCKY PLANT. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING COULD BE DEFORMED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR-TO-THROTTLE BODY CONNECTION. THE ACCELERATOR INNER-CABLE COULD WEAR AWAY AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE OR REMAIN IN ITS MOST RECENT POSITION REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

99V307000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Nov 1, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL 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

PE02079 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 18, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ODI'S DATA ANALYSIS FOUND THE FIRES RATES TO BE CONSISTENTLY LOW AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG SIX MODEL YEARS AND SIX DIFFERENT ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS.ODI EXAMINED A VARIETY OF ROOT CAUSES, THOSE BEING DETONATION (RESULTING IN OIL PAN PUNCTURE FROM CONNECTING ROD), STARTER FIRES, VARIOUS FUEL RELATED FIRES, LEAKING OIL FILTERS, WIRING ISSUES, IMPROPER REPAIRS AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.NONE OF THE ISSUES EXAMINED HAD REPORTS THAT INDICATED A TREND WHEN NORMALIZED FOR POPULATON AND EXPOSURE.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS.

DP02004 · Engine Seizure

Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.

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