IllustrationWHILE DRIVING ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER HOOD. NO INJURIES. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE.*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
Electrical System complaints
33 reportsON 2/9/2002 DRIVING ON THE 55 CLOSE TO THE 91 FREEWAY WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WE BARELY HAD TIME TO PARK IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE BRAKES WERE ALREADY BURNING SO WE HAD TO COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP.WE RAN AWAY FROM THE CAR FOR IT WAS ALREADY IGNITED WITH FLAMES WHEN WE GOT T…
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ON 2/9/2002 DRIVING ON THE 55 CLOSE TO THE 91 FREEWAY WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WE BARELY HAD TIME TO PARK IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE BRAKES WERE ALREADY BURNING SO WE HAD TO COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP.WE RAN AWAY FROM THE CAR FOR IT WAS ALREADY IGNITED WITH FLAMES WHEN WE GOT TO ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD STOPPED TO HELP US THE CAR BLEW UP LEAVING THE FRAME ONLY ORANGE COUNTY FIRE DEPT ASSISTED US .AND DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. WE THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO THEN SAID IT WAS OUR FAULT AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE CAR.THECAR WAS AND STILL IS UNDER WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRES ON 4/16/2004 UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE TOYOTA SOLD US LOJACK THEFT SYSTEM 2 DAYS LATER THEY CAME OUT TO OUR HOUSE AND INSTALLED IT THE ONLY MAINTENANCE DONE ON THIS CAR WAS LOJACK AND MY BROTHER ADDED 1/2 QUART OF OIL NO MAINTENANCE WAS NEEDED AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 318076 MILES ON IT AND IT HAD 40100 AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. TOYOTA SAYS THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT ,THAT I AM FOR NOT HAVING PROPER MAINTENACE DONE TO THE CAR AND IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OR DESIGN THEREFORE THEY SAY THAT I AM LIABLE FOR THE WHOLE BILL WHICH I FEEL AND KNOW THAT THEY ARE WRONG IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY NEEDED TO CHECK OUT THE FACTS BEFORE LEAVING ME WITHOUT A CAR AND NOW A BAD DEBT. I TOLD THEM I STILL HAD THE PAYMENTS PUT UP AND WAS WILLING TO DELIVER THE PAYMENTS IF THEY COMPENSATED ME WITH ANOTHER CAR OR JUST MAKE ME SEE WHERE IT IS MY FAULT. PLEASE ADVISE AND LET ME KNOW SOMETHING SOON FOR THEY WANT TO SUE ME FOR THIS I NEED HELP THANK YOU SO MUCH YOLANDA GAMBOA 9123 ADMIRALTY AVE RIVERSIDE, CA.92503 909-689-9805. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND EVEYTHINGS LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED IGNITION LOCK; BUT, PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK
CLAIM NUMBER 11-3281-203 - EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY WHICH EXPLODED CAUSING AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A SEARS DIE HARD WHICH WAS THE BATTERY THAT EXPLODED. *TT
INSURED STATED THAT WHILE TOW TRUCK WAS PUTTING THE VEHICLE ON THE FLAT BED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE TOW TRUCK, THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS A SJORT CIRCUIT. CLAIM NUMBER 75-A137-314. *YH
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. LIGHTS, WIPERS AND STOPLIGHTS DID NOT WORK BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *YH
DASHBOARD TROUBLE LIGHTS -- BULB OUT, CHECK ENGINE, REVERSE INDICATOR ON GEAR SELECTOR ( WHILE IN PARK OR ANY OTHER SETTING) CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LICENSED MECHANIC WHOM I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS. HE EXAMINED CAR AND FOUND THAT THE REAR WIRING HARNESS IN THE TRUNK ALONG THE LEFT SIDE TRUNK HINGE…
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DASHBOARD TROUBLE LIGHTS -- BULB OUT, CHECK ENGINE, REVERSE INDICATOR ON GEAR SELECTOR ( WHILE IN PARK OR ANY OTHER SETTING) CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LICENSED MECHANIC WHOM I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS. HE EXAMINED CAR AND FOUND THAT THE REAR WIRING HARNESS IN THE TRUNK ALONG THE LEFT SIDE TRUNK HINGE HAD BEEN STRETCHING TO THE POINT WHERE THE WIRES WERE TEARING, MELTING THE INSULATION, POPING FUSES, AND SHORTING OUT THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUITS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AFTER THE REPAIR AND I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND THEIR FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CLAIMED NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF ANY SUCH INCIDENT EVER HAPPENING. *AK
ENGINE CUTS OFF, BAD ECU
BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA (NO COST TO ME ) BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. BUT THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS SINCE DAY ONE: ELECTRIC SHOCK WHEN TOUCHING DOOR ON THE WAY OUT AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF. WHEN TURNING ENGINE OFF.
WHILE DRIVING CAR WENT DEAD AND BRAKES STARTED TO FAIL, THIS WAS A VERY BUSY ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY, REPLACED BATTERY. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE MILEAGE DISAPPEARED, AND CAR WENT DEAD AGAIN. CONSUMER TOOK CAR BACK TO TOYOTA. *AK
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.