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
What owners actually said
600 reports
68,000 miles · Mar 18, 2003
Suspension
FRONT SUSPENSION, NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS, UNEVEN PAVEMENT. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. DEALER SUGGESTS TRYING DIFFERENT PARTS BUT NONE SEEMS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ITS GETTING EXPENSIVE AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THE SERVICE TECH STATED HIS WIFE HAS THE SAME CAR AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AND WAS NOT SURE HOW…
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FRONT SUSPENSION, NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS, UNEVEN PAVEMENT. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. DEALER SUGGESTS TRYING DIFFERENT PARTS BUT NONE SEEMS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ITS GETTING EXPENSIVE AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THE SERVICE TECH STATED HIS WIFE HAS THE SAME CAR AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AND WAS NOT SURE HOW TO CORRECT IT. HE ALSO STATED THE TOYOTA SOLARA WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010712
190,480 miles · Mar 4, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10009795
23,317 miles · Feb 24, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THER MASTER BRAKE CYCLINDER INTERMITTENT.
NHTSA ODI #10008031
79,000 miles · Feb 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM EXPERIENCING A WHITE SMOKE UPON START UP OF VEHICLE, ONLY IN THE MORNING COMING OUT OF THE EXAUST PIPE. I ONLY HAVE 79,000 MILES ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10007902
95,000 miles · Feb 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
'98 TOYOTA CAMRY--OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN 2-3 MILES I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A SERVICE STATION AND AS I DID SO THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN KNOCKING. WHEN TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER HE SAID THE ENGINE WAS GONE OUT (RUINED). THIS VEHICLE HAD HAD OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. DEALER CLAIMED THIS MY ENGINE HAD NO SIGNS OF THE …
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'98 TOYOTA CAMRY--OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN 2-3 MILES I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A SERVICE STATION AND AS I DID SO THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN KNOCKING. WHEN TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER HE SAID THE ENGINE WAS GONE OUT (RUINED). THIS VEHICLE HAD HAD OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. DEALER CLAIMED THIS MY ENGINE HAD NO SIGNS OF THE WELL-KNOWN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM COMMON WITH THIS ENGINE. I'VE SINCE LEARNED THIS ENGINE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT IT IS NO LONGER BEING USED. WHAT RECOURSE IS THERE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN ENGINE? MY WRECKER DRIVER'S FATHER'S '98 TOYOTA CAMRY'S ENGINE WENT OUT AFTER ONLY 2000! MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10007717
79,800 miles · Feb 16, 2003
Wheels
THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF GOING 10MPH. THE SPINDLE BROKE OFF COMPLETELY.
NHTSA ODI #10007589
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, WITHIN 5-8 MINUTES THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT, ALTHOUGH OBVIOUS POTENTIAL CAUSES, SUCH AS RECENT SERVI…
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WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, WITHIN 5-8 MINUTES THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT, ALTHOUGH OBVIOUS POTENTIAL CAUSES, SUCH AS RECENT SERVICE TO THE ENGINE, WERE RULED OUT (THERE HAD BEEN NO RECENT SERVICE).
NHTSA ODI #10005504
31 miles · Feb 6, 2003
Suspension
FRONT SUSPENTION SOUNDS LOOSE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN RAPID CONCESSION. GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY AND CAN'T PINPOINT THE PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #10005412
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2003
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHEN VEHICLE IS EXITED. IT GETS CAUGHT IN DOOR AND IS DAMAGED AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME BY THE DOOR BEING SLAMMED AGAINST IT.
NHTSA ODI #10004951
25,000 miles · Jan 19, 2003
Suspension
FRONT SUPENSION MAKES CLUNKING AND BANGING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER EVEN SMALL POT HOLES. NOISE GETS MUCH WORSE WITH LARGER POT HOLES. NOISE STARTED AROUND 25K MILES.SUSPECT FRONT STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS.
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.
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
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