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1998 Toyota CamryProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 600 owner complaints about the 1998 Toyota Camry, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.4× the Camry median · #13 of 40 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints600130 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage42kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 20, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Toyota Camry has problems

600 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic1125
Engine and engine cooling9220
Vehicle speed control8329
Suspension700
Air bags5036
Tires411
Seat belts351
Structure352
Steering337
15 other systems13317

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1998 Toyota Camry recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 01V-012 · Jan 16, 2001 · 53,061 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Camry year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Camry median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Toyota Camry safety ratings

1998 Toyota Camry 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1998 Toyota Camry frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Toyota Camry, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE SEIZUREDP02004 · closed Jun 20, 2002
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREPE02079 · closed Mar 18, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Camry owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1998 TOYOTA CAMRY FAILED BRAKING SYSTEM *GR THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, NEW BRAKES HAD TO BE INSTALLED EVERY YEAR AND EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Complaint 10326350 · Apr 20, 2010 · 5,932 miles
PULLING 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY INTO PARKING SPACE. FOOT ON BRAKE. PUT INTO PARK. CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING. TRIED REVERSE, DIDN'T STOP. TRIED PARK AGAIN STANDING ON BRAKES. DIDN'T STOP. WENT OVER CURB DOWN HILL INTO CREEK. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN FRONT OF CAR HIT BANK OF CREEK. SAW PUFF OF…
Complaint 10165336 · Aug 12, 2006 · 108,000 miles
MY MOTHER JUST HAD AN ACCIDENT THIS MORNING AND FROM HER DESCRIBING THAT 98 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND BREAK SEEMED NOT WORKING AT ALL. SO I STARTED LOOKING FOR VEHICLE RECALLS AND DEFECTS THEN I REALIZED THIS ACCIDENT MY MOTHER HAD COULD BE CAUSED BY DEFECTS. IF YOU JUST LOOK, YOU COULD…
Complaint 10142025 · Nov 8, 2005

Own a 1998 Camry?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.