IllustrationVEHICLE DRIFTS AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN ABOUT 35MPH. IN A CROSS-WIND VEHICLE ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WHEN STOPPED VEHICLE ROCKS FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON HIGH SPEED. WHEN PASSED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WHEN DOOR SLAMMED. TIRES ARE AT CORRECT PRESSURE, ALIGNMENT OK, STEERING FLUID OK.
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
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 reportsBRAKES MAKE LOUD/OBNOXIOUS NOISES JUST BEFORE THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP.
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ON THERE IS A BLIND SPOT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO SEE THE ROAD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
ENGINE MALFUNCTION COMES ON REPEATEDLY INSPITE OF 5 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR BY DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK
SINCE PURCHASING MY 98 TOYOTA CAMRY 10/3/97, I HAVE TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHEREAS MY BRAKES DID SQUEAK & SQUEAL WHEN STOPPING. BROUGHT MY CAR INTO TOYOTA ON TWO SEPARATE OCCIAISIONS AND WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF A BRAKE PROBLEM, AND WOULD PROVIDE A TEMPORARY QUICK FIX UNTIL THE MFGR RECALLED THE CAMRY'S. I…
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SINCE PURCHASING MY 98 TOYOTA CAMRY 10/3/97, I HAVE TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHEREAS MY BRAKES DID SQUEAK & SQUEAL WHEN STOPPING. BROUGHT MY CAR INTO TOYOTA ON TWO SEPARATE OCCIAISIONS AND WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF A BRAKE PROBLEM, AND WOULD PROVIDE A TEMPORARY QUICK FIX UNTIL THE MFGR RECALLED THE CAMRY'S. I'VE HAD FT PADS & MACHINE ROTORS & REAR BRAKES ADJUSTED 2-3 TIMES IN 98. I'VE PAID $300+ TOWARDS THIS SERVICE TO MY NEW CAR AND THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. DID ADVISE DEALERSHIP THAT I WILL BY ANOTHER CAR, BUT IT WILL NOT BE A TOYOTA CAMRY. I'LL BEGIN PURCHASING HONDA PRODUCTS BEGINNING IN 99 AND WILL NOT GO BACK TO TOYOTA AFTER BEING A FAITHFUL CUSTOMER FOR OVER 10+ YEARS.
BRAKES CONTINUALLY MAKE NOISE.
RIGHT BEAM ON THE HEADLIGHTS IS FOCUSED HIGHER THAN THE LEFT. CAUSE UNKNOWN . DEALER ADJUSTED THE BEAM WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE HOOD, AND WHEN PULLED OVER, THE HOOD WAS POPPED OPEN. BURST OF FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
THE CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH ILLEGALLY TURNED IN FRONT OF MY WIFE'S CAR AS SHE PROCEED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT CENTER OF MY WIFE'S CAR HIT THE OTHER WOMAN'S CAR AT THE RIGHT FORNT CORNER, CAUSING EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRONTAL SECTION OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY,…
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THE CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH ILLEGALLY TURNED IN FRONT OF MY WIFE'S CAR AS SHE PROCEED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT CENTER OF MY WIFE'S CAR HIT THE OTHER WOMAN'S CAR AT THE RIGHT FORNT CORNER, CAUSING EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRONTAL SECTION OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND EVEN THE BODY SHOP OWNER IS WONDERING WHY, AS NATURALLY AM I. I DO NOT WANT THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER TO BE ABLE TO "COVER UP" WHAT MAY BE A VERY SERIOUS FAILURE OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM OF THIS CAR, AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE MORE SERIOUS HARM TO UNSUSPECTING TOYOTA CAR OWNERS. I WANT TO KNOW IF IT SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF.
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD MAKE UNNECESSARY NOISE WHENEVER CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES ON SHORT DISTANCE, A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. *AK
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.