IllustrationCONSUMER'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY,CAUSING HER TO SUSTAIN SERIOUS INJURIES. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
2125–50K
3050–75K
4475–100K
35100–150K
25150K+
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
Air Bags complaints
50 reportsBRAKES FAIL DURING RAINY WEATHER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP CAUSING CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING ACCIDENT. YH
THE CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH ILLEGALLY TURNED IN FRONT OF MY WIFE'S CAR AS SHE PROCEED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT CENTER OF MY WIFE'S CAR HIT THE OTHER WOMAN'S CAR AT THE RIGHT FORNT CORNER, CAUSING EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRONTAL SECTION OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY,…
Read full complaint
THE CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH ILLEGALLY TURNED IN FRONT OF MY WIFE'S CAR AS SHE PROCEED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT CENTER OF MY WIFE'S CAR HIT THE OTHER WOMAN'S CAR AT THE RIGHT FORNT CORNER, CAUSING EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRONTAL SECTION OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND EVEN THE BODY SHOP OWNER IS WONDERING WHY, AS NATURALLY AM I. I DO NOT WANT THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER TO BE ABLE TO "COVER UP" WHAT MAY BE A VERY SERIOUS FAILURE OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM OF THIS CAR, AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE MORE SERIOUS HARM TO UNSUSPECTING TOYOTA CAR OWNERS. I WANT TO KNOW IF IT SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF.
CONCERNED THAT SIDE DOOR AIR BAG WILL CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO ARM, THAT IS RESTING ON DOOR, WHEN DEPLOYED.
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 40 MPH FRONTAL COLLISON IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A WET ROAD, VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 30-35MPH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT AND BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS ACCIDENT. DEALER STATED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE SENSORS ARE LOCATED IN DASH PANEL. *AK
AIR BAG SERVICE INDICATOR STAYS ON.
DURING A 70 MPH FRONTAL CRASH, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A RIGHT SIDE IMPACT COLLISION AT 25 MPH IN WHICH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *NLM
Official recalls
201V012000 · 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
2PE02079 · 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.