Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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. …
Tl 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. Updated 09/21/10
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.
Tl 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. Updated 09/18/09.
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 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
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.
Owner driving vehicle, came to a stop, began to accelerate, engine blew a rod through the front of the engine block. Vehicle caught fire and burnt beyond recognition within 15 minutes. Vehicle investigation followed because the car was under warranty, build up of sludge from engine oil. Company declined to fulfill warranty obligation because of the age and mileage on the car.
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.
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.
We own a 1998 Toyota Camry VIN [redacted], and we are the original owners of this car. About a one and a half years ago, we replaced the idle speed control unit for approximately $400.00. The Camry had problems starting when it is cold, and the hayward california Toyota dealer wants to charge us another $400.00 to replace the same part that they replaced about 18 months ago. The part is a Toyota manufacturing part, and it cost about $250.00. Toyota has not recalled this part, and it should last longer than 18 months. I have talked with a number of auto repair shops, and they know that this part fails on the Toyota Camry. I have filed a complaint with Toyota corporation reference number [redacted], but I do not feel Toyota will address this problem. I have not heard from them, and I filed the complaint about two months ago. …
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fire
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…
Engine seizure
Engine complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 95 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Toyota Camry, 16% of the model year's 600 complaints. The component named most often is engine (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Camry engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 20 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.