IllustrationENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED AN AIR FUEL RESERVOIR SENSOR TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. POTENTIAL OF PROBLEM NOT YET IDENTIFIED. ALSO, DEALERSHIP INDICATED " THIS IS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
92 reportsTHE ENGINE IN MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY THREW A ROD (#4) THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS, LIKE ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE OR LOSS OF POWER, BEFORE THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS 67000 MILES AND HAS HAD THE OIL CHANGED WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES. ALSO, THE 45000 MILE MAINTENANCE WA…
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THE ENGINE IN MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY THREW A ROD (#4) THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS, LIKE ABNORMAL ENGINE NOISE OR LOSS OF POWER, BEFORE THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS 67000 MILES AND HAS HAD THE OIL CHANGED WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES. ALSO, THE 45000 MILE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE LOCAL TOYOTA MANAGEMENT SAID THAT I DID NOT POSSES SUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO SUPPORT THEM PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE. I HAD THE RECEIPTS FROM THE OIL CHANGES. TOYOTA CORPORATION TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CARS OVER 60000 MILES. MY COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER IS PENDING REVIEW.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHICH CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME INSIDE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES DURING THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM
WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE 75S, 5-YEAR-OLD TOYOTA CAMRY MADE STRANGE ENGINE NOISES AND LATER BEGAN SMOKING HEAVILY. AFTER SMOKE CLEARED, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. MECHANIC SAID THAT COULD BE ENGINE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM AND/OR "THROWN ROD." DEALER COMPLETED 5-YEAR-MAINTENANCE CHECK ON 8/28/03. *LA
THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. I REPLACED GAS CAP AND NO HELP. *LA
THE ENGINE BLEW IN MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. IT HAD 12300 MILEAGE AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED WITH NO PREWARNINGS THAT THERE WAS ANY ENGINE TROUBLE. I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA CORPORATION MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, WARNING OF OIL SLUDGING/GELLING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR MODEL. THE LETTER STATED THAT ALL REPAIR COSTS WOULD …
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THE ENGINE BLEW IN MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. IT HAD 12300 MILEAGE AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED WITH NO PREWARNINGS THAT THERE WAS ANY ENGINE TROUBLE. I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA CORPORATION MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, WARNING OF OIL SLUDGING/GELLING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR MODEL. THE LETTER STATED THAT ALL REPAIR COSTS WOULD BE COVERED FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY OIL SLUDGING/GELLING. THE TOYOTA MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE APPEARED CLEAN - NO OIL SLUDGING. BUT, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY THE ENGINE BLEW. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE OIL MIGHT HAVE BEEN LOW. HOWEVER, I HAD JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND WAS NOT INFORMED OF AN OIL LEAK, NOR DID MY OIL INDICATOR LIGHT EVER COME ON. EVEN THOUGH THEY COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW, THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY COSTS OF REPAIR. *AK
1998 TOYOTA CAMRY EMISSION RELATED REPAIRS. *MR ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHO STATED THE EMISSIONS VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA IN REFERENCE TO REIMBURSEMENT OF EMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS AND WAS DENIED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BE…
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1998 TOYOTA CAMRY EMISSION RELATED REPAIRS. *MR ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHO STATED THE EMISSIONS VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA IN REFERENCE TO REIMBURSEMENT OF EMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS AND WAS DENIED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE PART WAS LOCATED NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *SCC *JB
EXPERIENCED A TEXT BOOK CASE OF WHAT HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE "TOYOTA SLUDGE ENGINE" PROBLEM. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT SPA PROGRAM WHO REFERRED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER. HE SAID UNLESS I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FOR AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES (MANUAL SAYS 7500) THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. SAID THAT I DID NOT…
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EXPERIENCED A TEXT BOOK CASE OF WHAT HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE "TOYOTA SLUDGE ENGINE" PROBLEM. CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT SPA PROGRAM WHO REFERRED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER. HE SAID UNLESS I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FOR AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES (MANUAL SAYS 7500) THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. SAID THAT I DID NOT "HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON" AND I WAS "SCREWED." ONCE REPAIRS ARE DONE AND PAID FOR I PLAN TO SUBMIT A CLAIM WITH ALL PAPERS TO TOYOTA.
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT, AND THE EMISSION VALVE(S) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MR SCC *JB
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.