← New search

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

Structure complaints

35 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 1999
Structure

SUNVISORS ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES OF VEHICLE ARE DESIGNED TOO SMALL TO BLOCK THE SUN, AND THEY MAKE IT HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAYS IT'S DESIGNED THAT WAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832746

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 1999
Structure

WHEN SOMEONE GETS OUT OF THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE FRONT OR BACK OF VEHICLE AND LOCKS THE DOOR BEHIND THEM, IF ANYONE IS LEFT INSIDE VEHICLE, HE COULD NOT GET OUT FROM THE INSIDE, DOOR LOCKS, THEY WOULD NEED KEYS OR THE TRANSMITTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #833847

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1998
Structure

DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY UNLESS THEY ARE SLAMMED SHUT. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, STATES THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE, CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #830731

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 1998
Structure

POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #605853

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 1998
Structure

POWER DOOR LOCKS INDICATED THAT IT IS NOT LOCKED WHEN INFACT IT IS, LOCKING PASSENGERS INSIDE. AFTER RESTARTING ENGINE AND MANIPULATING LOCK SEVERAL TIMES LOCKS WILL RELEASE.

NHTSA ODI #531263

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.

Go deeper into Toyota Camry problems