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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

83 reports
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116,000 miles · Apr 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN NOVEMBER 2008 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE APPLIED HER FOOT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE "SPUN OUTWARD". NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN NOVEMBER 2008 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE APPLIED HER FOOT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE "SPUN OUTWARD". NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALLS. THE OIL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE PEDAL SYSTEM WAS CLEANED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE HAD NOT OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10325985

125,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE ACCELERATOR HAD BEEN STICKING FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS ALL THE TIMES AND PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORST. I HAVE TO STEP ONTO THE PEDAL HARD VERY OFTEN FROM A FULL STOP TO UN-STICK THE PEDAL ON A ROUTINE BASIS. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THE CRUISE CONTROL RACE UP AND DOWN, THEN NOT RESPONSIVE FOR A BR…

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I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE ACCELERATOR HAD BEEN STICKING FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS ALL THE TIMES AND PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORST. I HAVE TO STEP ONTO THE PEDAL HARD VERY OFTEN FROM A FULL STOP TO UN-STICK THE PEDAL ON A ROUTINE BASIS. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THE CRUISE CONTROL RACE UP AND DOWN, THEN NOT RESPONSIVE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. SINCE THE ACCELERATOR IS A CABLE SYSTEM, I HAVE TRY TO LUBRICATE THE CABLE LINK MANY TIMES USING DIFFERENT LUBRICANT, BUT NOTHING WORK. THEREFORE, I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A STICKING ACCELERATOR, AND CANNOT BE SURE IF IT RELATES TO THE POSSIBLE ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS. ONCE IN A WHILE THE ENGINE RACE UP AN DOWN WHEN THE CAR IS IN IDLE. THE FAILURE IS CONTINUOUS. THE MILEAGE ON THIS CAR IS NOW ABOUT 157,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325355

60,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

WE HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY IN WHICH THE ACCELERATOR SOMETIMES STICKS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND COMES TO A STOP FOR A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT, ETC. THE ACCELERATOR SEEMS TO BE ALLOWED TO BE DEPRESSED A VERY MINISCULE AMOUNT AND THEN IT STOPS OR GETS STUCK. IF YOU PUSH DOWN HARD AT THIS POINT IT CLICKS, RELEASES, AND T…

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WE HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY IN WHICH THE ACCELERATOR SOMETIMES STICKS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND COMES TO A STOP FOR A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT, ETC. THE ACCELERATOR SEEMS TO BE ALLOWED TO BE DEPRESSED A VERY MINISCULE AMOUNT AND THEN IT STOPS OR GETS STUCK. IF YOU PUSH DOWN HARD AT THIS POINT IT CLICKS, RELEASES, AND THE ACCELERATOR IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO BE DEPRESSED AS FAR AS YOU WISH. WHEN IT CLICKS IT IS AS IF IT POPS OVER WHATEVER IT WAS STUCK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325335

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY MADE REPAIRS TO THE THROTTLE AND WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE AN INDUCTION SERVICE WAS PERFOR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY MADE REPAIRS TO THE THROTTLE AND WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE AN INDUCTION SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10324755

100 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT IF HE NEEDS TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY HE CAN NOT BECAUSE OF THE DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE PICKS UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT IF HE NEEDS TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY HE CAN NOT BECAUSE OF THE DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE PICKS UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A COMPUTER DEFECT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE IS UNRESPONSIVE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. HE WROTE A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO THE ACCELERATION FAILURE AND THEY HAD NOT RESPONDED.. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10320089

70,600 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

UNDESIRED ACCELERATION, NOT RELATED WITH STICK GAS PEDAL. ON FEBRUARY 16, 2008, I DROVE MY TOYOTA CAMRY LE 1998 HOME WITH ALL MY FAMILY ON BOARD AFTER SHOPPING ACTIVITIES. I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 35 MPH SOUTH ON WALTHAM STREET IN LEXINGTON, MA. WHEN WE WERE PASSING AN INTERSECTION OF WALTHAM/CONCORD, I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN THE…

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

NHTSA ODI #10318330

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2010
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING A CRASH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN THE SECONDS THE VEHICLE LEFT THE STREET, IT JUMPED THE CURB, RAN OVER A SMALL TREE TRUNK, CROSSED TWO DRIVEWAYS AND HIT A 25 YEAR OLD DOGWOOD HEAD-ON. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE TREE BEING UPROOTED BECAUSE THE SOIL WAS …

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1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING A CRASH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN THE SECONDS THE VEHICLE LEFT THE STREET, IT JUMPED THE CURB, RAN OVER A SMALL TREE TRUNK, CROSSED TWO DRIVEWAYS AND HIT A 25 YEAR OLD DOGWOOD HEAD-ON. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE TREE BEING UPROOTED BECAUSE THE SOIL WAS SATURATED FROM THE RECENT HEAVY RAINS. THE TRESS AND BRANCHES DESTROYED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND ITS UNDERCARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER IT HIT THE SECOND DOGWOOD TREE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS INTACT, HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB UPDATED 03/24/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10316514

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL STICKS WHILE DRIVING OR MOVING AFTER A STOP SIGNAL . IT DOES EVERYDAY WHEN I DRIVE . TOLD THE DEALER , THEY SAID MY VEHICLE YEAR IS NOT IN RECALL BY TOYOTA NOW. NO REPAIRS DONE NOW. ALSO LIGHTING SYSTEM IT BLOWS LIGHT BULB , ALWAYS ONE HAS TO BE OUT OR ELSE IT WILL BLOW OUT COUPLE HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317477

68,888 miles · Mar 6, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE SLOWLY EXITING A DRIVE THROUGH AT 5MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, SHOT ACROSS A STREET, AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL HITTING A SNOW DRIFT AND FENCE. BRAKING HAD NO EFFECT. DAMAGE TO CAR AND PROPERTY. DRIVER HAD TO CRAWL OUT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE VIN BEGAN WITH A LETTER J. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317366

127,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127000.

NHTSA ODI #10316842

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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