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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

What owners actually said

600 reports
122,000 miles · Feb 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BROUGHT MY 98 CAMRY INTO TOYOTA CITY IN MAMARONECK, NY ON 11/6/03 BECAUSE OF BLUE SMOKE THAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. SEALS WERE REPLACED BUT THERE WAS STILL LEAKING OF OIL. ON 6/2/04 THE CAMRY HAS MORE REPAIRS DONE WITH GASKETS AND SEALS REPLACED BUT STILL THERE WAS OIL LEAKING . I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO HAVE THE LE…

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I BROUGHT MY 98 CAMRY INTO TOYOTA CITY IN MAMARONECK, NY ON 11/6/03 BECAUSE OF BLUE SMOKE THAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. SEALS WERE REPLACED BUT THERE WAS STILL LEAKING OF OIL. ON 6/2/04 THE CAMRY HAS MORE REPAIRS DONE WITH GASKETS AND SEALS REPLACED BUT STILL THERE WAS OIL LEAKING . I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO HAVE THE LEAK CHECKED AND I AM ALWAYS TOLD THERE IS NO LEAK. I HAVE SMOKE COMING INTO THE CAR FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND PUT A QUART OF OIL IN EVERY WEEK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10112094

37,000 miles · Feb 11, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL FREQUENTLY STICKS CAUSING CAR TO SURGE WHEN DRIVER DEPRESSES PEDAL. REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACK. TOYOTA ADVISED THAT THEY DO NOT WARRANTY THEIR SEAT BELTS AFTER 36,00 MILES. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS CONTRIBUTED BY FREQUENTLY USING CHILD SEATS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110350

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS, TRACTION LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10106389

108,000 miles · Dec 25, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMERY ALWAYS BURNED SOME OIL.THEN AT ABOUT 108000 MILES IT STARTED BURNING OIL AT A RAPID PACE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO TOYOTA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT FOR THE OIL SLUDGING PROBLEM ,WHICH THEY KNOW OF.THEY SAID MY ENGINE IS SHOT AND I DID NOT HAVE THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, SO THEY WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS.THEY SAID ONE REASO…

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MY 1998 TOYOTA CAMERY ALWAYS BURNED SOME OIL.THEN AT ABOUT 108000 MILES IT STARTED BURNING OIL AT A RAPID PACE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO TOYOTA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT FOR THE OIL SLUDGING PROBLEM ,WHICH THEY KNOW OF.THEY SAID MY ENGINE IS SHOT AND I DID NOT HAVE THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, SO THEY WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS.THEY SAID ONE REASON I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM IS BECAUSE I CHANGED OIL EVERY 3000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10104472

78,012 miles · Dec 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE OWN A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY VIN [XXX], AND WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS CAR. ABOUT A ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, WE REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT FOR APPROXIMATELY $400.00. THE CAMRY HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WHEN IT IS COLD, AND THE HAYWARD CALIFORNIA TOYOTA DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US ANOTHER $400.00 TO REPLACE THE SAME P…

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WE OWN A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY VIN [XXX], AND WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS CAR. ABOUT A ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, WE REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT FOR APPROXIMATELY $400.00. THE CAMRY HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WHEN IT IS COLD, AND THE HAYWARD CALIFORNIA TOYOTA DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US ANOTHER $400.00 TO REPLACE THE SAME PART THAT THEY REPLACED ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO. THE PART IS A TOYOTA MANUFACTURING PART, AND IT COST ABOUT $250.00. TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PART, AND IT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS. I HAVE TALKED WITH A NUMBER OF AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, AND THEY KNOW THAT THIS PART FAILS ON THE TOYOTA CAMRY. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CORPORATION REFERENCE NUMBER [XXX], BUT I DO NOT FEEL TOYOTA WILL ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM, AND I FILED THE COMPLAINT ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU DISCOVER. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10104280

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2004
Suspension

ALL 4 STRUTS WORN-OUT AND LEAKING ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 60,000 MILES . DRIVING WITH BAD STRUTS WAS HORRIBLE! VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE. WAS TOLD BY AUTO SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1998 CAMRY. THE RESULT WAS A REPAIR BILL OF $800.00. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL 4 STRUTS SO REPLACED ONLY 2 AT A COST OF $500.0…

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ALL 4 STRUTS WORN-OUT AND LEAKING ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 60,000 MILES . DRIVING WITH BAD STRUTS WAS HORRIBLE! VERY LOUD RATTLING NOISE. WAS TOLD BY AUTO SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1998 CAMRY. THE RESULT WAS A REPAIR BILL OF $800.00. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL 4 STRUTS SO REPLACED ONLY 2 AT A COST OF $500.00!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100866

93,600 miles · Nov 20, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

OWNER DRIVING VEHICLE, CAME TO A STOP, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, ENGINE BLEW A ROD THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION WITHIN 15 MINUTES. VEHICLE INVESTIGATION FOLLOWED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUILD UP OF SLUDGE FROM ENGINE OIL. COMPANY DECLINED TO FULFILL WARRANTY OB…

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OWNER DRIVING VEHICLE, CAME TO A STOP, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, ENGINE BLEW A ROD THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION WITHIN 15 MINUTES. VEHICLE INVESTIGATION FOLLOWED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUILD UP OF SLUDGE FROM ENGINE OIL. COMPANY DECLINED TO FULFILL WARRANTY OBLIGATION BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100256

80,631 miles · Nov 20, 2004
EquipmentVehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: OPENED GARAGE DOOR WITH REMOTE. STEPPED LIGHTLY ON GAS PEDAL TO ENTER GARAGE. CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. STEPPED ON BRAKES BUT CAR DID NOT STOP. CAR CRASHED THROUGH INTERIOR GARAGE WALL AND THROUGH CLOSET IN ADJOINING BEDROOM. COUSE OF PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED. REPAIR NOT COMPLETED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100255

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2004
Seat Belts

THE CHILD WAS FASTENED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CHILD LEANED OVER TO LAY IN THE SEAT AND SLIPPED HER HEAD AND SHOULDER IN THE CENTER RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT. WHEN THE CHILD MOVED SUDDENLY TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AROUND HER NECK, STRANGLING HER. THE MORE THE CHILD MOVED TO FREE HERSELF THE…

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THE CHILD WAS FASTENED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CHILD LEANED OVER TO LAY IN THE SEAT AND SLIPPED HER HEAD AND SHOULDER IN THE CENTER RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT. WHEN THE CHILD MOVED SUDDENLY TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AROUND HER NECK, STRANGLING HER. THE MORE THE CHILD MOVED TO FREE HERSELF THE TIGHTER THE BELT BECAME. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE SCISSORS TO CUT THE BELT OFF THE CHILD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP WHO REPLACED THE BELT AND RETRACTOR. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10099302

74,900 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Tires

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTER REVIEWING THE TIRE, THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CENTER HAD SEPARATED. *JB *TC

NHTSA ODI #10097036

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.

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