EXITING A PARKING PLACE WHEN CAR SURGED AND ACCELERATED. COLLIDED WITH FOUR VEHICLES.
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
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.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
83 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED BETWEEN THE CONTACT'S TREE AND A NEIGHBORING HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED BETWEEN THE CONTACT'S TREE AND A NEIGHBORING HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
I HAD USED THE COAST ON MY CRUISE CONTROL TO REDUCE MY SET SPEED FROM 78MPH TO 71MPH, AFTER ABOUT 50 YARDS, MY CRUISE CONTROL SPED UP ON ITS OWN TO ABOUT 76MPH BEFORE I TAPPED THE BRAKES AND CUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES, I CUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BACK ON AND WENT TO USE THE SET BUTTON TO SET MY SPEED AT 71MPH…
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I HAD USED THE COAST ON MY CRUISE CONTROL TO REDUCE MY SET SPEED FROM 78MPH TO 71MPH, AFTER ABOUT 50 YARDS, MY CRUISE CONTROL SPED UP ON ITS OWN TO ABOUT 76MPH BEFORE I TAPPED THE BRAKES AND CUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES, I CUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BACK ON AND WENT TO USE THE SET BUTTON TO SET MY SPEED AT 71MPH. WHEN I PUSHED THE SET BUTTON, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT 'LOCK IN' TO THE 71MPH BUT INSTEAD STARTED TO SPEED UP BEYOND 71MPH AND AT 75MPH I TAPPED THE BRAKE AND CUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE NEXT DAY, THE NEXT THREE TIME I WENT TO CUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND WENT TO PUSH THE SET BUTTON TO SET IT AT THE SPEED I WAS GOING, THE CAR ALWAYS TOOK OFF BEYOND WHAT I WAS WANTING TO SET IT AT AND CAUSING ME TO TAP THE BRAKES AND I WAS FORCED TO CUT IT OFF BECAUSE AFTER I HAD TAPPED THE BRAKE AND LET OFF THE BRAKE IT WOULD START TO INCREASE SPEED AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY BEGAN TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY BEGAN TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMING TO A STOP SIGHT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. ALL THE SUDDEN, THE CAR SPED UP AND THE BRAKE WAS FAILING. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE OPPOSITE SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE CURB. I CHECKED THE BRAKE AND WAS FUNCTIONING. LATER, I HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO PIERCEY TOYOTA…
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WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMING TO A STOP SIGHT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. ALL THE SUDDEN, THE CAR SPED UP AND THE BRAKE WAS FAILING. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE OPPOSITE SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE CURB. I CHECKED THE BRAKE AND WAS FUNCTIONING. LATER, I HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO PIERCEY TOYOTA TO DIAGNOSIS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING AND BINDING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING AND BINDING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V012000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND DROPPED INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND DROPPED INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS SUFFERING FROM BACK PAIN. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES, A CONTUSION, CHEST PAIN, A BROKEN RIB, AND SKIN DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS INTERMITTENT. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V012000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL).…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS INTERMITTENT. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V012000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO VERIFY IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,390.
ON MAY 13, 2010 APPROX 9:15 PM WHILE DRIVING A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6, CAR STALLED/MALFUNCTIONED WHILE BEING PULLED OVER BY CHP WHICH CAUSED REAR END COLLISION SPIN OUT AND 2 OTHER CAR ACCIDENTS, I HAVE PROOF (VIDEO, PHOTOS, RECEIPTS, AND SERVICE HISTORY) THE CAR'S THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AND OR OTHER…
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ON MAY 13, 2010 APPROX 9:15 PM WHILE DRIVING A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6, CAR STALLED/MALFUNCTIONED WHILE BEING PULLED OVER BY CHP WHICH CAUSED REAR END COLLISION SPIN OUT AND 2 OTHER CAR ACCIDENTS, I HAVE PROOF (VIDEO, PHOTOS, RECEIPTS, AND SERVICE HISTORY) THE CAR'S THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE AND OR OTHER SYSTEMS CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED IVOQ 08/17/10 *TR UPDATED IVOQ 10/06/10 UPDATED IVOQ 11/17/10 IT WAS DETERMINED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE OUTER DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/12/11
1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO UNWANTED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *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.
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