← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

16 reports
Clear category filter
128,000 miles · Aug 7, 2016
Power Train

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BROKE. THE END THAT ATTACHES TO THE TRANSMISSION IS PLASTIC. THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO SHIFT.

NHTSA ODI #10893877

3,200 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Power Train

THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED IN MY 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS COUP DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FIRST ONE WAS GRINDING GOING INTO 5TH GEAR. THE SECOND ONE IS GRINDING GOING INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND LEAKING FLUID FROM THE MAIN SEALS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 3200 MILES ON IT PURCHASED APRIL 27, 2012. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476952

108,000 miles · Aug 12, 2006
Air BagsPower TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

PULLING 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY INTO PARKING SPACE. FOOT ON BRAKE. PUT INTO PARK. CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING. TRIED REVERSE, DIDN'T STOP. TRIED PARK AGAIN STANDING ON BRAKES. DIDN'T STOP. WENT OVER CURB DOWN HILL INTO CREEK. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN FRONT OF CAR HIT BANK OF CREEK. SAW PUFF OF SMOKE AFTER HITTING BANK…

Read full complaint

PULLING 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY INTO PARKING SPACE. FOOT ON BRAKE. PUT INTO PARK. CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING. TRIED REVERSE, DIDN'T STOP. TRIED PARK AGAIN STANDING ON BRAKES. DIDN'T STOP. WENT OVER CURB DOWN HILL INTO CREEK. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN FRONT OF CAR HIT BANK OF CREEK. SAW PUFF OF SMOKE AFTER HITTING BANK COME FROM UNDER CAR. TURNED CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165336

50,000 miles · Aug 12, 2004
Power Train

I SHIFTED FROM "PARK" TO "DRIVE", THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY CABLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. A DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE PART IN STOCK, UPON ARRIVAL I WAS TOLD PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME FOR PURCHASE. I SPECIAL ORDERED & PAID FOR THE PART & WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE IN 8/11/04. ON THAT DATE I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NONE …

Read full complaint

I SHIFTED FROM "PARK" TO "DRIVE", THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY CABLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. A DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE PART IN STOCK, UPON ARRIVAL I WAS TOLD PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME FOR PURCHASE. I SPECIAL ORDERED & PAID FOR THE PART & WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE IN 8/11/04. ON THAT DATE I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NONE OF THESE CABLES IN THE U.S., THE EARLIEST ETA WAS 8/16/04. THIS WAS REVISED BY SANDY, TOYOTA PARTS DELAY TEAM, TO ETA 8/18/04.

NHTSA ODI #10086691

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. *MR TOYOTA OVER FILLED THE TRANSMISSION BY 1 1/2 QUARTS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY. TRANSMISSION FLUID STARTED TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING TROUBLES CLIMBING ON INCLINES. THERE WERE VIBRATIONS WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH AND OVER, AND CONSTANT FLATS AND BLOW OUTS OCCURR…

Read full complaint

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. *MR TOYOTA OVER FILLED THE TRANSMISSION BY 1 1/2 QUARTS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY. TRANSMISSION FLUID STARTED TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING TROUBLES CLIMBING ON INCLINES. THERE WERE VIBRATIONS WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH AND OVER, AND CONSTANT FLATS AND BLOW OUTS OCCURRED. (DESTINY MICHELIN) THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING, STRUTS, AND THE ROTORS. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044376

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2002
Power Train

THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED AND THE DEALER CAN NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER PROBLEM COULD BE WITH EITHER THE ABS ACTUATOR OR THE INTERNAL ECU LEAVING AN OPEN SOURCE CODE. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED AND IS CONCERNED …

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED AND THE DEALER CAN NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER PROBLEM COULD BE WITH EITHER THE ABS ACTUATOR OR THE INTERNAL ECU LEAVING AN OPEN SOURCE CODE. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED AND IS CONCERNED ABOUT PERSONAL SAFETY IF COMPONENTS DO NOT FUNCTION AS EXPECTED.TS

NHTSA ODI #8022228

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2001
Power Train

ALL THREE OF THE REAR SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT. I TRIED TO PUT A CHILD RESRAINT SEAT IN THE LEFT REAR SEAT, I PULLED THE BELT ALL THE WAY OUT AS MY TOYOTA MANUEL SAYS TO DO IN ORDER TO LOCK THE CHILD SEAT INTO PLACE AND THE BELT WOULD NOT FEED BACK INTO THE RETRACTER. I THEN TOOK THE SEAT OUT AND PUT IT IN THE RIGHT SIDE AND…

Read full complaint

ALL THREE OF THE REAR SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT. I TRIED TO PUT A CHILD RESRAINT SEAT IN THE LEFT REAR SEAT, I PULLED THE BELT ALL THE WAY OUT AS MY TOYOTA MANUEL SAYS TO DO IN ORDER TO LOCK THE CHILD SEAT INTO PLACE AND THE BELT WOULD NOT FEED BACK INTO THE RETRACTER. I THEN TOOK THE SEAT OUT AND PUT IT IN THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED. THAT WAS IN MAY 2001. A FEW DAYS AGO THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT DID THE SAME THING, LEAVING MY CHILD WITH NO SEAT BELT IN THE BACK AND MY ONLY OPTION IS TO PUT HIM IN THE FRONT SEAT WHICH IS NOT SAFE EITHER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFATURER OF TOYOTA AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WILL COST ABOUT $190.00 PER SEAT BELT TO GET THEM REPLACED. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE SEAT BELT PROBLEMS IN A CAR THAT IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. I HAVE A HIGH AMOUNT OF MILES ON MY VEHICLE BUT MOST OF THOSE MILES DID NOT EVEN HAVE ANYONE USING THE REAR SEAT OR SEATBELTS SO THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS SOME OF WHICH I HAD FOR 10 YEARS AND LONGER. NEVER HAVE I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753571

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Power Train

WHILE ON A TRIP, A GRINDING SOUND CAME FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTURAL AND MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE I OBSERVED TRANSMISSION OIL POURING OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #745307

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Power Train

FAILURE OF MANUAL CLUTCH, WARRANTY COVERAGE DECLINED, WITH 40+YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH MANUL TRANSMISSIONS WITHOUT A PROBLEM, TRADING IN (3RD TOYOTA)1968 TOYOTA CAMRY, MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 120,000+MILES EXPERIENCING NO PROBLEMS,, AFTER JUNE/000 30,000 CHECK-UP FINDING NO TRNSMISSION PROBLEMS, DEALER DECLINED APPLYIN…

Read full complaint

FAILURE OF MANUAL CLUTCH, WARRANTY COVERAGE DECLINED, WITH 40+YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE WITH MANUL TRANSMISSIONS WITHOUT A PROBLEM, TRADING IN (3RD TOYOTA)1968 TOYOTA CAMRY, MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 120,000+MILES EXPERIENCING NO PROBLEMS,, AFTER JUNE/000 30,000 CHECK-UP FINDING NO TRNSMISSION PROBLEMS, DEALER DECLINED APPLYING WARANTY-CONCLUSION OF DEALER, I AM A LOUZY DRIVER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #738974

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE EX.PERIENCING PROBLEM WITH COLUMN SHIFT;WHENEVER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE A CLICK SOUNDS CAME FROM THE COLUMN. ALSO WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, AND PEDAL RETURNED TO POSITION, A POPPING SOUND COULD BE HEARD, AND PEDAL WOULD BE LOOSE. CONDITION APPEARED TO GET WORSE AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING STILL FOUR FIVE DAYS OR MORE. MANUF…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE EX.PERIENCING PROBLEM WITH COLUMN SHIFT;WHENEVER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE A CLICK SOUNDS CAME FROM THE COLUMN. ALSO WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, AND PEDAL RETURNED TO POSITION, A POPPING SOUND COULD BE HEARD, AND PEDAL WOULD BE LOOSE. CONDITION APPEARED TO GET WORSE AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING STILL FOUR FIVE DAYS OR MORE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM BACK,BUT NO WORDS ( MFR. COMPLAINT #199909280711). ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #851147

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.

Go deeper into Toyota Camry problems