← 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

What owners actually said

600 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2002
Suspension

RECURRNET NOISE FROM FRONT END SINCE DAY ONE, ESPECIALLY GOING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. DEALERS SERVICED ONCE FOR FREE, BUT NOISE CONTINUED. NOW THAT WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, I AM ADVISED THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS HAVE FAILED AND NED TO BE REPLCED. REPLACED BOTH FRONT STRUT MOUNTS AT COST OF $416.58. SERVICE ADVISER ADMITS TOYOTA HAS HAD A…

Read full complaint

RECURRNET NOISE FROM FRONT END SINCE DAY ONE, ESPECIALLY GOING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. DEALERS SERVICED ONCE FOR FREE, BUT NOISE CONTINUED. NOW THAT WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, I AM ADVISED THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS HAVE FAILED AND NED TO BE REPLCED. REPLACED BOTH FRONT STRUT MOUNTS AT COST OF $416.58. SERVICE ADVISER ADMITS TOYOTA HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE THIS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR FOR ALL OWNERS OF CAMRYS.

NHTSA ODI #758825

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2002
Tires

FAULTY TIRES ARE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAD AN ALIGNMENT AND THE TIRES WERE CROSS ROTATED BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL (GOODYEAR 205/65HR15 EAGLE GA). NLM

NHTSA ODI #564417

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2002
Suspension

WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD AND DRIVER TURNS HITTING OR A BUMPING THERE'S A GRINDING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS STRUT TOWERS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003421

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WITH 11,000 MILES ON VEHICLE THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN BRAKE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE UNDER A SERVICE BULLETIN. THEN, AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON AUGUST 23, 2001 FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RUBBING NOISE DURING BRAKE APPLIC…

Read full complaint

WITH 11,000 MILES ON VEHICLE THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN BRAKE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE UNDER A SERVICE BULLETIN. THEN, AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON AUGUST 23, 2001 FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RUBBING NOISE DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. ALSO AT 54,000 MILES ON JANUARY 22, 2002 REAR BRAKE DRUMS FAILED,AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003040

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN CONSUMER MADE A TURN THE VEHICLE ASSUMED NORMAL ACCELERATION IN "DRIVE", WHEN SUDDENLY THE ACCELRATOR PEDAL BECAME LOOSE, DEALER SAID THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS BROKEN. *JG *AK

NHTSA ODI #8002981

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

FRONT STRUTS EXPERIENCED LEAKING, STRUT MOUNT SUPPORTS NOISY. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #564144

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE,THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER NOTED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BECOME LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #8002303

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2001
Child Seat

I HAVE BEEN TRING TO HAVE A TETHER STRAP ANCHOR INSTALLED IN MY CAMRY FOR MY CHILD'S RESTRAINT WHICH REQUIRES SUCH TETHER. INITIALLY, I CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE PERSON ON THE PHONE SAID HE WOULDN'T INSTALL IT, BECAUSE THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, SHANDS, HAD YELLED AT HIM FOR IMPROPER INSTALLATIONS ON PRIOR …

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN TRING TO HAVE A TETHER STRAP ANCHOR INSTALLED IN MY CAMRY FOR MY CHILD'S RESTRAINT WHICH REQUIRES SUCH TETHER. INITIALLY, I CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE PERSON ON THE PHONE SAID HE WOULDN'T INSTALL IT, BECAUSE THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, SHANDS, HAD YELLED AT HIM FOR IMPROPER INSTALLATIONS ON PRIOR CAR RESTRAINTS. WHEN I ASKED THE SAME SERVICE MAN IF HE COULD READ THE CAR MANUAL TO DETERMINE WHICH PARTS WOULD BE NECESSARY, HE SAID IT MADE NO SENSE TO HIM. I THEN CALLED THE NATIONAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS GIVEN THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. I THEN SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR A TOYOTA PARTS DEPARTMENT IN RICHARDSON TEXAS AND ORDERED THE PARTS LISTED IN THE MANUAL AS NECESSARY. I THEN CALLED BACK THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE PARTS INSTALLED. AFTER TAKING THE PARTS TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE MISSING PARTS. THE MISSING PARTS WERE NOT SENT TO ME BY THE TOYOTA RICHARDSON PARTS DEPARTMENT. I SEARCHED AGAIN THE TOYOTA WEB SITE TO FIND THE MISSING PART, WHICH WAS THE ANCHOR FOR THE TETHER. ONLY THE BOLTS AND THE SPACERS WERE SENT BY TOYOTA RICHARDSON. I CALLED THE NATIONAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO ASK IF THEY COULD IDENTIFY THE PART THAT I NEEDED SINCE, THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT CLEARLY LABEL THE PART OTHER THAN CALLING IT THE TETHER ANCHOR. I FEEL THAT THE CAR DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL TETHER STRAPS INTO THEIR CARS, BUT I CAN'T EVEN FIND SOME ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHO KNOWS WHICH PARTS I NEED TO ORDER AS LISTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756104

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2001
Exterior LightingSteeringSuspension

I TRIED WORKING WITH TOYOTA TO RESOLVE THERE ISSUES, BUT BECASUE THE WARRANTY TIME IS EXPIRED THEY WON'T ASSIST IN FIXING THERE DEFECTS. I WAS TOLD IF I WANTED TO PAY THE $2,000.00 BILL THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO ORDER THE PARTS. THE HEAD LAMPS ARE SO DIM I HAVE NEARLY HIT DEERS IN THE ROAD ON 5 SEPERATE OCCASIONS I KNOW THESE CAN…

Read full complaint

I TRIED WORKING WITH TOYOTA TO RESOLVE THERE ISSUES, BUT BECASUE THE WARRANTY TIME IS EXPIRED THEY WON'T ASSIST IN FIXING THERE DEFECTS. I WAS TOLD IF I WANTED TO PAY THE $2,000.00 BILL THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO ORDER THE PARTS. THE HEAD LAMPS ARE SO DIM I HAVE NEARLY HIT DEERS IN THE ROAD ON 5 SEPERATE OCCASIONS I KNOW THESE CAN'T PASS FMVSS REQUIREMENT. THE DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE IN THE TRACK AND ROCKS WHEN ACCELERATING AND STOPPING. THE FRONT STRUTS MOUNTING BRACKETS RATTLE, SHAKE, VIBRATE AND BANG. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHILE TURNING. THE REAR STUTS ARE TOO WEAK FOR THE VEHICLE SO PEOPLE CAN'T RIDE IN THE REAR OR THE CAR BOTTOMS OUT. THE CAR ALARM SOMTIMES WORKS AND SOMTIMES DOESN'T. THE BURLWOOD DASH IS SPLITTING,CRAKING, FADING AND PEELING. I WAS TOLD BY THE ASST. SERVICE MGR. AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF ALL THESE DEFECTS AND IT'S A RESULT OF POOR ENGINEERING AND VEHICLE TEST VALIDATION. I THEN HEARD HIM TELL A MECHANIC "WHAT PEOPLE THINK JUST BECAUSE IT'S A TOYOTA IT DOESN'T EVER BREAK" HE THEN LAUGHED AND SAID THESE CARS ARE THE WORST. I THINK WE NEED SOME HELP IN MAKING TOYOTA FIX THERE KNOWN DEFECTS BECAUSE THIS IS UNCALLED FOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756058

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

UPON TURNING IGNITION VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISE. WHILE DRIVING BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE HAS TO PRESS PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000689

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