Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The brakes did not function even when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the vehicle crashed between the contact's tree and a neighboring house. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where the vehicle was deemed destroyed. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota Camry. The contact was traveling 35 to 40 MPH when the brakes were depressed, but the brake pedal failed to depress fully to the floor. The vehicle then crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. The crash caused no injuries. The police were not contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 230,000.
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.
My mother just had an accident this morning and from her describing that 98 Toyota Camry was out of control and break seemed not working at all. So I started looking for vehicle recalls and defects then I realized this accident my mother had could be caused by defects. If you just look, you could easily find many others complaints. She was driving at 55 MPH and trying to change lane then next thing she know was car started to swerving so she tried to regain control then hit the break which did not function. I will have to look for legal advise within next couple of days and see what they say. By the way air bags were not activated. Please let me know if there was any lawsuit or compensation for this kind of fatal accident. Thank you.
Car stalled on highway at 45 MPH, steering and lights worked, stall caused collision-3 people hurt. The dealer does not know why car stalled. Car could not start until after a computer chip was replaced. But when car was running and we pulled the chip the car continued to run. No one knows why car stalled. The convertable top leaked water, brought to dealer back three times. But now the convertible top does not come up on windshield flush-brought back to dealer five times still working on it. The front brakes began squeaking and pulling at 5000 miles. This is my 4th new car never happened before.
When I was driving in a residential neighborhood and coming to a stop sight to make a right turn. All the sudden, the car sped up and the brake was failing. Luckily there was no car in the opposite side. I was able to pull the car to the curb. I checked the brake and was functioning. Later, I have the car towed to piercey Toyota to diagnosis and they could not find anything wrong.
When the consumer unlatched the seat belt, it did not retract. The consumer contacted the dealer about this issue. Both the front seat belts did not retract and there was a vibration when the vehicle was in motion and was felt more when braking.
At stop signs or red lights,the brake pedal starts sinking down and vehicle starts moving even when maximum brake force is applied.customer paid the dealer replace the master brake cylinder on 04/10/2003 and the brake problem has been fixed.
Brake complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 121 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Toyota Camry, 20% of the model year's 600 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (49 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Camry brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to brakes 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.