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1998 Toyota Camry engine problems

95 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
95
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
95,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine
    29
  • Engine: gasoline
    23
  • Exhaust system
    7
  • Exhaust system: emission control
    5
  • Cooling system
    3
  • Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1
  • Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
    1
  • Cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota Camry engine problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202024

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Toyota Camry engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Engine failure 15Stalling 15Check engine light 14

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Engine compartment fireOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 18, 2003

Odi's data analysis found the fires rates to be consistently low and evenly distributed among six model years and six different engine configurations.odi examined a variety of root causes, those being detonation (resulting in oil pan puncture from connecting rod), starter fires, various fuel related fires, leaking oil filters, wiring issues, improper repairs and brake fluid leaks.none of the issues examined had reports that indicated a trend when normalized for populaton and exposure.see attached report for full details.

PE02079

Engine seizureOpened April 30, 2002, closed June 20, 2002

DP02004

What 1998 Toyota Camry owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 17, 2018 · Engine · 150,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed May 23, 2017 · Engine · MA

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.

Filed May 18, 2013 · Engine · 199,000 miles · ID · fire

Just got home did not smell or see anything unusual, went inside and maybe five minutes later I seen lots of smoke went outside and the car was smoking and flaming under the hood. Fire department had to come to put the fire out.

Filed Apr 4, 2012 · Engine · 134,740 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota camry. The contact stated that the plastic radiator had become overheated and fractured. While driving 55 MPH, the contact observed steam coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who noticed there was a cracked in the radiator. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 134,740.

Filed Jan 4, 2011 · Engine · 145,673 miles · OH

It just stalls for no reason. Sometimes it stalls at a light sometimes it stalls while driving and sometimes it wont stall for a couple of weeks.

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 Jul 1, 2010 · Engine · 100,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota camry. There was an oil leak inside of the oil filter. The vehicle was taken to an oil change facility where the oil filter was not installed incorrectly and caused oil to leak and damaged the engine. While driving 50 MPH the engine over heated and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a different local mechanic. The second mechanic also informed him that an oil leak along with a damaged filter caused the vehicle to stall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.

Filed May 31, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 161,000 miles · CA · crash · 3 injuries

On may 13, 2010 approx 9:15 pm while driving a 1998 toyota camry le v6, car stalled/malfunctioned while being pulled over by chp which caused rear end collision spin out and 2 other car accidents, I have proof (video, photos, receipts, and service history) the car's throttle position sensor, idle speed control valve and or other systems caused the accident. Updated ivoq 08/17/10 *tr updated ivoq 10/06/10 updated ivoq 11/17/10 it was determined the throttle position sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. Also, the outer door handle was replaced. Updated 01/12/11

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 89,500 miles · NY

Toyota customer and owner with unfortunate problems with my car driven normally in the ordinary course of the day as an elder. The electrical system has failed, the oil leaks, the floormat interferes with the accelerator pedal and sticks, interfering with braking experienced recently on the ny-ct highway. I paid to repair the electrical failure and oil leaks and still the electrical system as indicated for example by the dashboard which is continuously lit up, I.e. Is still not working properly. I wrote to toyota motor sales, u.s.a., inc. 19001 south western ave. Dept. Wc11 torrance, ca 90501 cc: nancy fein, vp customer service toyota motor sales USA inc., po box 10054 toldeo ohio 43682-4419.

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

Questions about the 1998 Toyota Camry engine

Does the 1998 Toyota Camry have engine problems?

Owners have filed 95 complaints about the engine of the 1998 Toyota Camry, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Camry engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Toyota Camry engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Toyota Camry have bad engine?

The Toyota Camry model years with the most engine complaints are 2007 (529 complaints), 2009 (252 complaints) and 2002 (165 complaints).

Other 1998 Toyota Camry problems

Brakes 121Acceleration 83Suspension 71Airbags 50Tires 41Body 35Seat belts 35Electrical 33Steering 33Lights 18Transmission 17Fuel system 15Visibility 10Locks 8Wheels 5Seats 2

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