Total Complaints
751 filings
TOYOTA CAMRY · model year
751 NHTSA complaints, 87 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998TOYOTACAMRY carries 751 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 87 crashes, 39 fires, 65 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 CAMRY is vehicle speed control with 61 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (49) and suspension:front (33). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 1998 CAMRY, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
751 filings
Crashes Reported
87 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 61 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 49 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 33 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 32 |
| TIRES | 30 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 29 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 29 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 25 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 25 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 20 |
| SUSPENSION | 19 |
| AIR BAGS | 18 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 14 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 14 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 14 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL WHEN VEHICLE WAS HYDROPLANING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, BRUISES AND GLASS CUT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE CONTACT STATED INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT STATED LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000
Mileage: 146,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
EXITING A PARKING PLACE WHEN CAR SURGED AND ACCELERATED. COLLIDED WITH FOUR VEHICLES.
Mileage: 93,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND FELT LOOSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE STEERING WHEEL UP TOWARDS HER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OR WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V307000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Mileage: 129,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED BETWEEN THE CONTACT'S TREE AND A NEIGHBORING HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
Mileage: 47,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED BETWEEN THE CONTACT'S TREE AND A NEIGHBORING HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
Mileage: 47,000
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BROKE. THE END THAT ATTACHES TO THE TRANSMISSION IS PLASTIC. THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO SHIFT.
Mileage: 128,000
STARTING IN 2015, THREE OF THE 5 SEAT BELTS IN MY 1998 CAMRY DO NOT REMAIN LATCHED, OR FAIL TO INITIALLY LATCH. AS A (RETIRED) MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I DISASSEMBLED THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. THE DEFECT IS IN THE ANCHOR MECHANISM WITH THE "PRESS" BUTTON ON IT. THE "PRESS" BUTTON HAS A METAL SPRING MOUNTED ON THE RED PLASTIC PART, AND THE PLASTIC HAS GRADUALLY CRACKED AT THE SPRING MOUNT. THIS METAL SPRING IS WHAT PUSHES THE METAL BLOCK THROUGH THE RECTANGULAR HOLE IN THE SHOULDER BELT COUPLER, WHEN IT IS PLUGGED INTO THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR AND LATCHED PROPERLY. EVENTUALLY, THE CRACK GROWS TO THE POINT THAT THE METAL SPRING CANNOT EXERT ENOUGH FORCE TO RELIABLY LATCH TO THE SHOULDER BELT. IT MAY INITIALLY LATCH AND FEEL SECURE, BUT CAN THEN COME LOOSE SEVERAL MINUTES LATER WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. I PLAN TO INCLUDE 3 PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM PART, ONE SHOWING THE CRACK IN THE PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, SO THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY INJURIE
Mileage: 167,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER FAILED. ALL THE OTHER GAUGES AND LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND WORKED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 218,000
THIS 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2003 FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. IT NOW HAS 64, 970 MILES ON IT, HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, CONTAINS ALL ORIGINAL PARTS, AND HAS A FLAWLESS ELECTRONICS SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WHICH HAS BURNED CONSTANTLY FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, WHILE DRIVING. TO HAVE THIS SYSTEM CHECKED IS COSTLY, YET THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL ON THESE AIR BAGS FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. IN ADDITION, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE OF ANY KIND REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED COLLAR BONE INJURIES AND ABRASIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.
Mileage: 192,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED COLLAR BONE INJURIES AND ABRASIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.
Mileage: 192,000
I HAD USED THE COAST ON MY CRUISE CONTROL TO REDUCE MY SET SPEED FROM 78MPH TO 71MPH, AFTER ABOUT 50 YARDS, MY CRUISE CONTROL SPED UP ON ITS OWN TO ABOUT 76MPH BEFORE I TAPPED THE BRAKES AND CUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES, I CUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BACK ON AND WENT TO USE THE SET BUTTON TO SET MY SPEED AT 71MPH. WHEN I PUSHED THE SET BUTTON, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT 'LOCK IN' TO THE 71MPH BUT INSTEAD STARTED TO SPEED UP BEYOND 71MPH AND AT 75MPH I TAPPED THE BRAKE AND CUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE NEXT DAY, THE NEXT THREE TIME I WENT TO CUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND WENT TO PUSH THE SET BUTTON TO SET IT AT THE SPEED I WAS GOING, THE CAR ALWAYS TOOK OFF BEYOND WHAT I WAS WANTING TO SET IT AT AND CAUSING ME TO TAP THE BRAKES AND I WAS FORCED TO CUT IT OFF BECAUSE AFTER I HAD TAPPED THE BRAKE AND LET OFF THE BRAKE IT WOULD START TO INCREASE SPEED AGAIN. *TR
Mileage: 254,400
BACK SEAT CENTER SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT. *TR
Mileage: 200,750
DRIVER SIDE FRONT INTERIOR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE BROKE. *TR
Mileage: 245,000
I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND FOUND OUT THE CAR HAS RECALL. EVAP SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS: P0441/P0446 ON ALL MODELS. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHILE GIVING THE CAR GAS YOU CAN FEEL IT JERKING LIKE ITS NOT GETTING GAS AND WHEN THE CAR STOPS IT CUTS OFF. SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THEY SAY ITS A RECALL NOW I AM WONDERING IF TOYOTA IS GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PIECE IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND I NEED MY VEHICLE TO RUN PROPERLY. *TR
Mileage: 172,637
CAR BEGAN "GOING OUT OF CONTROL" UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. AS IF I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF TURNING WITH THE ROAD, INTO A FENCE/TREE AND CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER RECEIVED FACIAL TRAUMA, CHEST TRAUMA, AND MULTIPLE LACERATIONS AND CONTUSIONS, REQUIRING SURGERY. *TR
CAR BEGAN "GOING OUT OF CONTROL" UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. AS IF I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF TURNING WITH THE ROAD, INTO A FENCE/TREE AND CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER RECEIVED FACIAL TRAUMA, CHEST TRAUMA, AND MULTIPLE LACERATIONS AND CONTUSIONS, REQUIRING SURGERY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY BEGAN TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
Mileage: 153,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.