Skip to content
BrakesPart report

1998 Toyota Camry Brakes Problems

Complaints
121about this part
Share
20%of 600 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 121 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Toyota Camry, 20% of the 600 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10549441, filed 2013-10, 96,562 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10165336, filed 2006-08, 108,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10064741, filed 2004-04, 90,000 miles

“1998 Toyota Camry failed braking system the consumer stated since the vehicle was purchased, new brakes had to be installed every year and every couple of years the rotors had to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10326350, filed 2010-04, 5,932 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10073475, filed 2004-06, 87,844 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202424%
202369%
2022711%
20211610%
2020124%
20194211%
201816522%
20172114%
20161910%
20153914%
2014388%
2013207%
2012559%
2011498%
2010539%
20091078%
2008839%
200731611%
20063912%
20059513%
20047412%
200311815%
200217318%
20012710%
20006214%
19998517%
199812120%
199710819%
19965413%
19955719%
19944215%
19933012%
1992183%
19911611%
199064%
198976%
198858%
198747%
198639%
1985323%
1984113%

Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Camry

Engine cooling
92 complaints
Vehicle speed control
83 complaints
Suspension
70 complaints
Air bags
50 complaints
Tires
41 complaints
Seat belts
35 complaints
Body and structure
35 complaints
Electrical system
33 complaints
Steering
33 complaints
Exterior lighting
18 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Toyota Camry

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology