NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Toyota Camry Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1998 Toyota Camry has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 600 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Toyota Camry, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Toyota Camry owner complaints

Owners have filed 600 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Toyota Camry, describing incidents dated January 1, 1997 to July 15, 2020.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 119 complaints
Engine 94 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 82 complaints
Suspension 69 complaints
Air Bags 50 complaints
Tires 39 complaints

Of the 600 complaints on file, 64 report a crash and 31 a fire; across all 600 complaints, owners report 45 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11340452 · Filed July 20, 2020
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…
ODI #11162003 · Filed December 17, 2018
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…
ODI #10991164 · Filed May 23, 2017
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.

Read all 600 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Toyota Camry in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE02-079: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Closed March 18, 2003
Defect Petition DP02-004: ENGINE SEIZURE
Closed June 20, 2002

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR

NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.

Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles

Owners notified July 28, 2009

Defect description

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

TOYOTA/ACCELERATOR CABLE

NHTSA #01V012000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported January 16, 2001 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 53,061 vehicles

Toyota campaign 10A · Owners notified February 23, 2001 · Vehicles built August 1, 1997 – November 14, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 10A.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

TOYOTA/STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA #99V307000 · Steering — Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · NHTSA notice

Reported November 1, 1999 · TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.

Potentially affected: 540,037 vehicles

Toyota campaign X06/XL7 · Owners notified November 30, 1999 · Vehicles built July 26, 1994 – July 9, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NOS. X06 AND XL7.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 30, 1999.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 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1998 Toyota Camry 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

2 investigations

600 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota Camry.

Air Bags

ODI #11340452

1 injury

Incident: July 15, 2020 · Filed: July 20, 2020

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

Engine

ODI #11162003

Incident: September 13, 2018 · Filed: December 17, 2018

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.

Engine

ODI #10991164

Incident: May 17, 2017 · Filed: May 23, 2017

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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10984843

Crash

Incident: May 10, 2017 · Filed: May 11, 2017

EXITING A PARKING PLACE WHEN CAR SURGED AND ACCELERATED. COLLIDED WITH FOUR VEHICLES.

Steering

ODI #10959097

Incident: February 15, 2017 · Filed: March 7, 2017

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.

Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #10899808

Crash

Incident: March 20, 2016 · Filed: August 31, 2016

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.

Power Train

ODI #10893877

Incident: August 7, 2016 · Filed: August 7, 2016

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BROKE. THE END THAT ATTACHES TO THE TRANSMISSION IS PLASTIC. THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO SHIFT.

Seat Belts

ODI #10861255

Incident: February 17, 2016 · Filed: April 25, 2016

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 INJURIES TO MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS. THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR SEAT BELTS, SO I BOUGHT NEW TOYOTA REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE DEFECTIVE BELT ANCHORS. WE LIVE IN THE DESERT, SO LONG-TERM HEAT AND COLD CYCLES COULD BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. THE SPRING HAS ITS HEAVIEST LOAD ON THE PLASTIC MOUNT WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS NOT ENGAGED, SO THE CRACK COULD POSSIBLY START, OR GROW, EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS NOT BEING USED.

Electrical System

ODI #10837468

Incident: August 20, 2015 · Filed: February 22, 2016

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10747680

Incident: August 10, 2015 · Filed: August 10, 2015

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

Other Toyota Camry model years

Check your 1998 Toyota Camry VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Camry at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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