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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
284,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

AS I WAS DRIVING, THE TACHOMETER WOULD RACE HIGHER AS THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT REGISTER. THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN AND I HAD TO RAPIDLY PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL FOR SPURTED ACCELERATION NOT UNDER MY CONTROL. IF I WAS USING THE SPEED CONTROL DEVICE, IT WOULD SHUT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BETWEEN 2004-2007 AND ONCE AGAIN THIS Y…

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AS I WAS DRIVING, THE TACHOMETER WOULD RACE HIGHER AS THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT REGISTER. THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN AND I HAD TO RAPIDLY PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL FOR SPURTED ACCELERATION NOT UNDER MY CONTROL. IF I WAS USING THE SPEED CONTROL DEVICE, IT WOULD SHUT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BETWEEN 2004-2007 AND ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR IN JANUARY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN EARLIER YEARS, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG AND IT DIDN'T REPEAT ITSELF WHEN THEY DROVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308408

45,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAMRY GAS PEDAL SELF-ACCELERATING. WE HAD A TOYOTA CAMRY 1998 (BOUGHT IN TOYOTA, MORRISTOWN, NJ IN FEB, 1998). BY ABOUT 2003, THE GAS PEDAL BEHAVED A LITTLE FUNNY. WHEN THE CAR WAS STANDING STILL, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN YOU PRESS ON IT. BUT IT WOULD JERK AND SUDDENLY SPEED UP WHEN YOU KEEP PRESSING ON IT. THE PROBL…

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CAMRY GAS PEDAL SELF-ACCELERATING. WE HAD A TOYOTA CAMRY 1998 (BOUGHT IN TOYOTA, MORRISTOWN, NJ IN FEB, 1998). BY ABOUT 2003, THE GAS PEDAL BEHAVED A LITTLE FUNNY. WHEN THE CAR WAS STANDING STILL, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN YOU PRESS ON IT. BUT IT WOULD JERK AND SUDDENLY SPEED UP WHEN YOU KEEP PRESSING ON IT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT LIKE THE 'POPULAR GAS PEDAL STUCK' THING DESCRIBED. WE LIVED WITH THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW YEARS BEFORE THE CAR GET CRASHED AND TOTALED (NOT FOR THE PEDAL REASON). IT WAS MY HUSBAND'S CAR, WHEN I OCCASIONALLY DROVE IT, IT'S UNSAFE WHEN I STOP FOR TRAFFIC LIGHTS, SINCE IT SUDDENLY SPED UP. BUT MY HUSBAND WAS USED TO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304292

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS PEDAL IN MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY BECOMES HARDER TO PRESS. I HAVE TO TAP MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL TO MAKE IT WORKS. IT WORKS FINE FOR FEW TIMES AND AGAIN IT BECOMES HARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY. I DON'T REMEMBER EXACT DATE WHEN I HAD NOTICED THIS BUT IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR PAST THREE YEARS. I HAD NOT REGISTER COMPLAINT THINKING IT…

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GAS PEDAL IN MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY BECOMES HARDER TO PRESS. I HAVE TO TAP MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL TO MAKE IT WORKS. IT WORKS FINE FOR FEW TIMES AND AGAIN IT BECOMES HARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY. I DON'T REMEMBER EXACT DATE WHEN I HAD NOTICED THIS BUT IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR PAST THREE YEARS. I HAD NOT REGISTER COMPLAINT THINKING IT IS JUST MY MODEL BUT SINCE THIS HAS BEEN WIDE SPREAD IN MANY TOYOTAS I THOUGHT I SHOULD REGISTER MY INCIDENT TOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304222

124,960 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHE NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL SLIGHTLY BECAME STUCK AND REQUIRED MORE THAN NORMAL PRESSURE IN ORDER TO PRESS THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,960.

NHTSA ODI #10303038

80,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 1997. HE STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY REMAIN STUCK IN POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXHIBITED MOST FREQUENTLY WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 1997. HE STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY REMAIN STUCK IN POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXHIBITED MOST FREQUENTLY WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MATS WERE CAUSING THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED WHEN ALL MATS WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INVESTIGATED FURTHER BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10302304

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2009
Child Seat

I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL THE EDDIE BAUER EB ADJ BOOSTER CAR SEAT (MODEL 22880-MTTA) IN 3 DIFFERENT CARS AND IT SIMPLY WILL NOT TIGHTEN INTO PLACE. IT'S AS IF THE SHAPE OF THE CAR SEAT IS AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE AND THUS WILL NOT FIT INTO THE SEAT OF THE CAR. IF THE BASE SITS FLAT ON THE SEAT OF THE CAR, THE HEAD SITS STRAIGHT UP…

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I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL THE EDDIE BAUER EB ADJ BOOSTER CAR SEAT (MODEL 22880-MTTA) IN 3 DIFFERENT CARS AND IT SIMPLY WILL NOT TIGHTEN INTO PLACE. IT'S AS IF THE SHAPE OF THE CAR SEAT IS AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE AND THUS WILL NOT FIT INTO THE SEAT OF THE CAR. IF THE BASE SITS FLAT ON THE SEAT OF THE CAR, THE HEAD SITS STRAIGHT UP, LEANING FORWARD FROM THE SEAT OF THE CAR ABOUT 6 INCHES. TIGHTENING IT WITH A BELT DOES NO GOOD BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL INCHES FROM FRONT TO BACK OR EVEN FROM SIDE TO SIDE. EVEN THE LATCH SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE IT ONLY PULLS THE CARSEAT BACKWARDS, LEAVING A GAP OF SEVERAL INCHES BETWEEN THE BASE AND SEAT OF THE CAR. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294300

149,000 miles · Nov 12, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE EXITING THE DRIVE- WAY AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION INTO THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED, BUT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BUILDING. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE EXITING THE DRIVE- WAY AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION INTO THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED, BUT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BUILDING. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 149,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10291982

40,000 miles · Nov 6, 2009
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

MY WIFE STARTED UP HER 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY, SLOWLY MADE A RIGHT TURN WHEN SUDDENLY THE AUTOMOBILE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED, JUMPED THE CURB, KNOCKED OVER A PARKING METER AND HIT THE SIDE OF AN APARTMENT HOUSE. SHE WAS NOT HURT AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DESPITE THE IMPACT. TOYOTA, WHICH HAD JUST SERVICED THE CAR TWO WEEK…

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MY WIFE STARTED UP HER 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY, SLOWLY MADE A RIGHT TURN WHEN SUDDENLY THE AUTOMOBILE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED, JUMPED THE CURB, KNOCKED OVER A PARKING METER AND HIT THE SIDE OF AN APARTMENT HOUSE. SHE WAS NOT HURT AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DESPITE THE IMPACT. TOYOTA, WHICH HAD JUST SERVICED THE CAR TWO WEEKS BEFORE, REPAIRED THE CAR (WITH MY INSURANCE). WE INSISTED ON A FULL INVESTIGATION BY TOYOTA, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FLOOR MAT JAMMED THE ACCELERATOR. WE DO NOT BUY THAT STORY IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS AND WHAT HAPPENED TO US. AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE WRITING NOW TO SHOW THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR A WHILE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291207

23,900 miles · Oct 28, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEEDS THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FLOOR MAT ADVISORY IS NOT RELATED TO THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING. THE CONT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEEDS THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FLOOR MAT ADVISORY IS NOT RELATED TO THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,900.

NHTSA ODI #10290114

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

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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