MYRModel Year Report

1998 Toyota Camry

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Camry Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1998 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 780 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1293 complaints 2010: 602 complaints 2011: 598 complaints 2012: 589 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 180 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 736 complaints 2019: 392 complaints 2019 2020: 270 complaints 2021: 154 complaints 2022: 58 complaints 2023: 62 complaints 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
1998: 600 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198633
198758
198869
1989117
1990136
1991155
1992569
1993263
1994306
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008933
20091293
2010602
2011598
2012589
2013274
2014455
2015268
2016180
2017148
2018736
2019392
2020270
2021154
202258
202362
202447
2025146

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 23%

23% of complaints: service brakes — 139 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 TO 40 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO DEPRESS FULLY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120710

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 95 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030208

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14%

14% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 85 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120517

CONSUMER HAD TWO ACCIDENTS IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030717

WHEN PULLING OUT IN REVERSE IN A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND HIT 4 CARS. NO INJURIES. TOYOTA INDICATED THERE WAS NO DEFECT WITHIN THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980521

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 75 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and macpherson strut.

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200720

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SHE VEHICLE VEERED INTO A SLIGHT DITCH AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED ON ITS ROOF. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120501

DURING A 70 MPH FRONTAL CRASH, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI report, 19971231

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 600
R 19991130 — steering

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

Campaign 99V307000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010223 — vehicle speed control

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 CRUI

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

Campaign 01V012000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020430 — DP (closed 20020620)

ENGINE SEIZURE

I 20021022 — PE (closed 20030318)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (139 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (95 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (85 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V307000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V012000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2009 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Toyota Camry reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Toyota Camry is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Toyota Camry?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Camry have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.