Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Dt: while driving home from work in the rain on 8/28/2002 there was a Toyota pickup truck in front with the tailgate down. The driver was talking on his cell phone. While going over a hill in traffic, the truck in front had bad brake lights. The truck was about 30 yards in front of the consumer's vehicle. The consumer's vehicle was in the left lane, hit the brakes and the front end of the car dropped down and slid into the back of truck. The consumer's vehicle could not swerve around truck because there was a car alongside. Upon impact the air bags did not deploy. The consumer cut his hand and face but refused medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop and they fixed it. The consumer returned it to Toyota because he did not want to drive an unsafe vehicle.
My wife started up her 1998 Toyota Camry, slowly made a right turn when suddenly the automobile accelerated at a high speed, jumped the curb, knocked over a parking meter and hit the side of an apartment house. She was not hurt and the air bag did not deploy, despite the impact. Toyota, which had just serviced the car two weeks before, repaired the car (with my insurance). We insisted on a full investigation by Toyota, who determined that the floor mat jammed the accelerator. We do not buy that story in light of recent events and what happened to us. And that is why we are writing now to show this problem has existed for a while.
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
While making a slight turn, the steering continued to turn right and the front wheels locked without warning. As a result the consumer lost control of the vehicle and collided into a stone wall. The dual airbags did not deploy and the consumers seat belt did not lock. The driver sustained chest and back pain due to hitting her chest on the steering wheel. The cause has yet to be determined. Please provide additional information.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota Camry. The contact was driving 65 MPH when she vehicle veered into a slight ditch and the vehicle flipped over and landed on its roof. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained head injuries because of the air bag failure. The vehicle was destroyed and was not investigated to determine the cause of failure. The failure and the current mileages were 200,000. Updated 08/01/12
Pulling 1998 Toyota Camry into parking space. Foot on brake. Put into park. Car suddenly began accelerating. Tried reverse, didn't stop. Tried park again standing on brakes. Didn't stop. Went over curb down hill into creek. Air bags did not deploy when front of car hit bank of creek. Saw puff of smoke after hitting bank come from under car. Turned car off immediately.
While traveling at 40 to 55 MPH consumer lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree. Upon impact none of the airbags deployed. The driver suffered a fractured left shoulder, minor injuries on the left side of his head and bruising to his left hip. The consumer believes that an antilock brake failure May have also contributed to the accident.
Crash. My daughter driving my car attempted to execute a left turn against traffic on residential street. Oncoming large SUV. Lost in shadow of large tree SUV dark gray going 30 MPH approx. Hit head on with my Toyota Camry le 1998. The steering wheel airbag did not deploy in a head on collision. No previous accidents or airbag deployments.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Toyota Camry. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact was involved in a frontal crash. The air bags failed to deploy and he sustained minor injuries. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 120,000 and failure mileage was approximately 119,700.
Airbag complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Toyota Camry, 8% of the model year's 600 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Camry airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Toyota Camry, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Camry airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 35 crashes, 2 fires and 32 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.