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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

Wheels complaints

5 reports
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79,800 miles · Feb 16, 2003
Wheels

THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF GOING 10MPH. THE SPINDLE BROKE OFF COMPLETELY.

NHTSA ODI #10007589

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2002
Wheels

I HAVE A QUESTION AS TO IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THE ACTUAL RIM OF THE TIRE, THE WHEEL ITSELF. MY BRAND NEW TIRE WOULD LOSE AIR AND NO LEAK COULD BE FOUND, SO I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH ANOTHER NEW ONE. THE PROBLEM KEPT OCCURING - FINALLY THE CULPRIT WAS FOUND TO BE A SMALL PINHOLE LEAK IN THE ACTUAL WHE…

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I HAVE A QUESTION AS TO IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THE ACTUAL RIM OF THE TIRE, THE WHEEL ITSELF. MY BRAND NEW TIRE WOULD LOSE AIR AND NO LEAK COULD BE FOUND, SO I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH ANOTHER NEW ONE. THE PROBLEM KEPT OCCURING - FINALLY THE CULPRIT WAS FOUND TO BE A SMALL PINHOLE LEAK IN THE ACTUAL WHEEL, LOCATED ON THE FAR INSIDE. I WAS TOLD BY 3 SEPARATE MECHANICS THAT THIS HOLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ANY TYPE OF MACHINERY AND IT MIGHT BE A DEFECT IN THE RIM ITSELF. MY QUESTION IS IF THIS IS A DEFECT OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED. I DONT HAVE MY VIN # AS MY CAR IS NOT WITH ME RIGHT NOW. I CAN SUPPLY LATER IF NEEDED. SHOULD I CONTACT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME

NHTSA ODI #759471

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2000
Wheels

REAR PASSENGER'S WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #863132

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
TiresWheels

HUB CAP AND TIRE.

NHTSA ODI #609516

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 1999
Wheels

THE RIGHT MAG WHEEL HAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE DEALER HAS TOLD OWNER THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #843087

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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