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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.

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

What owners actually said

600 reports
120,000 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING AND BINDING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING AND BINDING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V012000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478668

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

230,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Service BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 TO 40 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO DEPRESS FULLY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 TO 40 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO DEPRESS FULLY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 230,000.

NHTSA ODI #10465130

100,000 miles · May 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND DROPPED INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND DROPPED INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS SUFFERING FROM BACK PAIN. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES, A CONTUSION, CHEST PAIN, A BROKEN RIB, AND SKIN DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10458811

200,000 miles · May 1, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SHE VEHICLE VEERED INTO A SLIGHT DITCH AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED ON ITS ROOF. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INVESTIGATED TO DETERMIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SHE VEHICLE VEERED INTO A SLIGHT DITCH AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED ON ITS ROOF. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000. UPDATED 08/01/12*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10457054

130,000 miles · Apr 26, 2012
Seat Belts

REAR, RIGHT SEAT BELT WAS FULLY EXTENDED AND WILL NOT RETRACT; EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RETRACT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456565

65,900 miles · Apr 16, 2012
Electrical System

IGNITION KEY JAMS, WILL NOT TURN TO START ENGINE, AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. FREQUENCY OF JAMMING INCREASED UNTIL I SWITCHED TO USING THE SPARE "MASTER" KEY. IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. FINALLY, I USED THE "VALET KEY" AND IT HAS WORKED FINE FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS. WHEN I REC…

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IGNITION KEY JAMS, WILL NOT TURN TO START ENGINE, AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. FREQUENCY OF JAMMING INCREASED UNTIL I SWITCHED TO USING THE SPARE "MASTER" KEY. IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. FINALLY, I USED THE "VALET KEY" AND IT HAS WORKED FINE FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS. WHEN I RECENTLY WENT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO PURCHASE 2 NEW KEYS, AFTER NEARLY 2 HOURS I WAS ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THE NEW KEYS COULD NOT BE PROGRAMMED WITHOUT THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION A NEW IGNITION MODULE (ON-BOARD COMPUTER) COSTING $1,812 INCLUDING LABOR AND 2 KEYS. TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OFFICE HAS REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455426

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

127,623 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Air BagsCrash

TODAY MY WIFE WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR WHEN 2 CARS CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE OUR CAMRY. IT BROKE THE FRONT BUMPER OPEN AND THE STYROFOAM SUPPORT INSIDE. THE IMPACT DID NOT SET OFF THE AIRBAG AND IT IS WITHIN THE FRONT END RANGE OF IMPACT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413663

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2011
Suspension

REAR SUSPENSION ISSUE THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO BOTTOM OUT OVER SMALL BUMPS AND A CONSTANT BUMPING NOISE. THIS IS NOT JUST A ONE TIME INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399467

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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