Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1998 Toyota Camry Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control — runs 2.0× the fleet median for that category across the 1731 model-years tracked on this site.
600Complaints
3Recalls
64Crashes
31Fires
45Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control (10.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints here are 2.0× the median for that category across the 1731 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 61 · 10.2% | Recalled | Recall 01V012000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 49 · 8.2% | not available | — |
| Suspension:front | 33 · 5.5% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 32 · 5.3% | not available | — |
| Tires | 30 · 5% | not available | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 29 · 4.8% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 600 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 3 campaigns
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 01V012000 · 2001 · reported 01/16/2001
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
NHTSA campaign 99V307000 · 1999 · reported 11/01/1999
THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THROTTLE STICKING AND HIGH ENGINE IDLE DUE TO A COUPLING ON THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WHICH HAD BEEN INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN AT THE FACTORY…”NHTSA complaint 606203 — filed 02/01/1999 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“ACCELERATOR STICKS, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.”NHTSA complaint 533415 — filed 03/31/1998 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Toyota Camry?
Vehicle speed control issues are the most-reported category, cited in 61 of 600 NHTSA complaints (10.2%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (49), suspension:front (33), engine and engine cooling:engine (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Toyota Camry have?
600 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 64 involved a crash, 31 involved a fire, and 45 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E025000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Toyota Camry's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
