1998 Toyota Camry
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 121 of 600 complaints (20%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (32) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 555 in 1997 to 600 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–3,300 | 2,600–3,100 | 1,950–3,100 | 2,000–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 19–23 | 20–24 | 20–24 | 19–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–20 / 25–28 | 17–20 / 24–29 | 17–21 / 25–29 | 17–21 / 25–29 | 17–21 / 24–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–423 | 386–468 | 370–444 | 306–444 | 320–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 417 | 555 | 600 | 585 | 520 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 57 | 79 | 64 | 115 | 119 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 27 | 31 | 43 | 28 | |
| Injuries reported | 59 | 59 | 45 | 95 | 94 | |
| Deaths reported | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Camry have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Toyota Camry?
Brakes: 121 of 600 NHTSA complaints (20%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Toyota Camry get?
EPA rates it 20–24 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Toyota Camry?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 95 | 1 | 20 | 4 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 33 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 121 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 33 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 113 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 86 | 35 | 2 | 32 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 83 | 26 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 45 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E060000 · Jun 29, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 01V012000 · Jan 17, 2001
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · Campaign 99V307000 · Nov 8, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.