1998 Toyota Camry: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 600 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 600 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2020
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · May 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2017
“The automatic transmission shift cable broke. The end that attaches to the transmission is plastic. This leaves the vehicle unable to shift.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 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”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2015
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2015
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 64 of these complaints and injuries in 45 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Camry by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Toyota Camry reliable?
NHTSA has 600 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Toyota Camry. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Camry problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,844 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Toyota Camry have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering: steering wheel/handle bar. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.