1998 Toyota Camry: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 8, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · KY · crash · fire

Car began "going out of control" unable to steer the vehicle. As if I had no control over the car. Car continued straight instead of turning with the road, into a fence/tree and caught fire and burned up. Air bags did not deploy. Passenger received facial trauma, chest trauma, and multiple lacerations and contusions, requiring surgery.

Filed Oct 20, 2010 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CA · fire

On 10/19/10 my 1998 toyota camry was on file under the hood. When I park the car at stater bros and went inside to buy groceries . I head the cashier say someone car is on fire. I ran out from the parking lots and I saw my car in smoke under the hood. Fire department came and try to save my car. Now my car is total gone. Everything burn under the hood. I would never buy toyota camry again. Due to complaint about this car.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 65,000 miles · CT · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota camry. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions. There was an unintended increase in acceleration of 110 MPH. Suddenly, the vehicle reduced speed. The driver was able to slow down. The failure occurrences were intermittent during highway driving. The identical failure occurred and the gear shifter was placed into the "park" position. The vehicle was able to slow down. There was smoke and flames coming from the hood area. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle ignited into massive flames. The police and fire department were called to the scene. There were no personal injuries. The vehicle was towed to a collision facility. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 03/19/10. *lj updated 09/21/10

Filed Aug 19, 2009 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota camry. While driving approximately 30 MPH on normal conditions there was a loud noise inside the vehicle. There were no warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The driver stopped the vehicle and observed flames from underneath the hood. The front end of the vehicle exhibited damages with heavy smoke and flames. The fire department and police were notified. There were no personal injuries sustained. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to the contacts residence. The contact is aware of the safety risk. The failure and current mileages were 150,000. Updated 09/18/09. *lj updated 09/18/09.

Filed Feb 23, 2008 · Engine · 147,000 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

On 2/21/2008 I was driving on the freeway and my auto burst into flames. My auto is a 1998 toyota camry 4cyl. I received notification of a class action lawsuit about two years ago stating that toyota has an engine oil sludge defect on certain models. My auto is one of them. Additionally the notification I received stated that I can take my auto into toyota to be repaired. Over about two years I took my auto in with all the paper work/documents and each time toyota stonewalled me. Also I just went into toyota for the same reason and with all the paper work on 2/14/2008 and again toyota told me they knew nothing about this and they would not do anything. I am very much lucky to have survived this incident on 2/21/2008.

Filed Aug 23, 2007 · Engine · 172,095 miles · IL · fire

My daughter has 2 1998 toyota camrys both have had massive engine block failure by the front motor mount, one resulted in a fire under the hood. Her first camry I helped her buy it used about 1 1/2 years ago (this car was actually titled in my name) and approximately 6 months ago while driving at highway speed the engine block came apart by the front motor mount spraying oil all over the engine compartment, which proceeded to catch on fire, luckily no one was hurt and the fire was contained under the hood. There was parts of the engine block, and bolts and oil scattered on the highway. That camry was not repairable. We found her another 1998 camry about two months ago and this one she bought all on her own and it is titled in her name. Well a couple of days ago her new 1998 camry had massive engine block failure at the front motor mount in the same location as the other camry. There was no fire involved on this one. The police were called to both scenes, and the fire dept. Was called on the first incident. This form does not have input for 2 vehicles. The second 1998 camry in my daughters name. We do still have possession of both vehicles and in the same condition as the day they stopped working.

Filed Apr 10, 2007 · Acceleration · UT · fire

There was no prior events leading up to the car fire. The day of the fire the cruise control would not work. As the car was traveling, it decreased and increased in power quickly and frequently. While traveling on interstate 80 the car suddenly lost power, and the gas would not increase the speed of the car. We pulled off to the side of the road , and immediately noticed smoke coming out of the front hood of the car. We got out of the car and quickly saw flames coming from under the front hood. We could not get the hood opened because the flames were too close. We attempted to put out the fire by using four fire extinguishers from pedestrians. Before the fire fighters got to the site. The entire front of the car was engulfed in flames.*ak we noticed about 50 yards of fluid on the ground preceding the site of the fire. The fluid was dark and resembled oil. It just so happens that we were moving that day, so we lost a lot of personal items in the fire (clothing, electronics, pictures). We only had liability auto insurance, so the car was not replaced. There was too much damage to repair the car.

Filed Dec 6, 2006 · Engine · 82,000 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the engine blew. Smoke came out of the engine compartment as the vehicle was driven off to the side of the highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the inspection determined a lifter rod had fractured and blown out the bottom of the engine casing. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified.

Filed Jul 1, 2006 · Engine · 62,670 miles · FL

1998 camry, 4 cylinder, 62650 miles. While driving at around 50 MPH speed, heard an unusual sound and smoke coming from under the hood, pulled over to the shoulder and found there was a hole in the lower half of the engine and the oil dip stick was sheared in to 2 pieces. Mechanic told me that the engine threw a rod and put a hole. Had to replace the engine with a refurbished one at a private shop. Contacted the dealer service department and was told that since the car was out of warranty, toyota will not be replacing the engine and the least quote for repair was $4500.00 I bought the car used from a dealer in jan 2001 and have had regular service oil change and maintenance done on it. In feb 2006 had the 60k mile service done. In may 2002 had received a letter from toyota about possible gelling issue with engine oil. Suspect the engine failure is a result of engine oil gelling. The failed engine may still be available at the shop, not sure.

Filed Feb 7, 2006 · Engine · WA

The consumer received a letter from the manufacturer in may 2000 stating that his 1998 camry had the potential of oil gelling or sludging. *ts the letter also explained that this problem could be diagnosed by the presence of blue smoke or excessive oil consumption. The consumer vehicle didn't exhibit any signs of a problem when the letter was received. Eventually the consumer started noticing smoke coming out of the tailpipe on startup and took the vehicle to the dealer. The letter was presented to the service manager. The dealer refused to diagnose the problem without the consumer paying a fee. The consumer refused to pay and the problem was never diagnose or fixed. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but they also stated that he had to pay the dealer for the diagnostic test.

Filed Oct 8, 2005 · Engine · 79,500 miles · OK

A problem with white smoke coming from exhaust when starting the car for the first time each day. Burns off quickly but should not be doing this at all. Dealer says the problem may be a valve lifter, but that this car is too new for that. Car has 80,000 miles on it. Concerned about smoke and fire or emissions problem. This car is rated for ca emissions and was made in japan.

Filed Sep 23, 2005 · Engine · 70,000 miles · CA

Dt: the steam seal valve is leaking oil to the chamber of the engine. The problem first started in april 2005. When the vehicle is cold and it is started there is smoke coming out of the tail pipe. The consumer is concerned that the vehicle may catch on fire.