140 of the
751 complaints about the 1998 Toyota Camry are about the
braking system — 19% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
80,000 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10899808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 192,000 milesChicago, ILCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10745214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,562 milesSAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 230,000 milesLAS Vegas, NVCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10465130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,932 milesLincolnwood, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1998 TOYOTA CAMRY FAILED BRAKING SYSTEM *GR 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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesFloyds Knobs, INCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NCCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10142025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale Heights, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS, TRACTION LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10106389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesANN Arbor, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10083042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,844 milesWestbury, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE CONSUMER UNLATCHED THE SEAT BELT, IT DID NOT RETRACT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK 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. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10073475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,612 milesKailua, HI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING, AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR FIVE HOURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10064903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesLouisville, MSCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 TO 55 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK 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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesFAR Rockaway, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT A HIGH SPEED THERE IS A DRUM NOISE, AND A DELAY IN BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10063037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucca Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. *MR TOYOTA OVER FILLED THE TRANSMISSION BY 1 1/2 QUARTS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY. TRANSMISSION FLUID STARTED TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING TROUBLES CLIMBING ON INCLINES. THERE WERE VIBRATIONS WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH AND OVER, AND CONSTANT FLATS AND BLOW OUTS OCCURRED. (DESTINY MICHELIN) THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING, STRUTS, AND THE ROTORS. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10044376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanton, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW IN MAY 1998. I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED AT LEAST 3 TIMES THE FIRST TIME BEING 11/8/99. I HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES OF FRONT END NOISE, CAR DRIFTING, AND STEERING VIBRATIONS. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS EITHER INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE, OUT OF BALANCE OR ALIGNMENT. MOST OF THE TIME I WAS TOLD THE NOISE IS NORMAL ROAD NOISE AND THE DRIFTING IS NORMAL DRIFTING. I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR TO AVOID HAVING TO PAY FOR ALL THESE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS AND BECAUSE I HAD A 7 MONTH OLD BABY. I NOW HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND SOMETIMES I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THEM IN MY CAR. MY CAR STILL MAKES THE NOISE, DRIFTS, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS. I HAVE EVEN REPORTED CLUNKING NOISES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BE GREASED OR THE BOLTS TIGHTENED. IT SEEMS TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALL ALONG AND DECIDED TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX ALL THE VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE SOMEONE'S DEATH BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I AM A FIRST TOYOTA BUYER AND VERY DISAPPOINTED. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX A SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT WAS DEFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO FOR A $20,000 CAR THAT IS BARELY 5 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT. I THOUGHT THE MECHANICS WERE RIGHT ABOUT NORMAL NOISE UNTIL I SAW ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. JB
NHTSA complaint #10039141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dobbsferry, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE, BUT VEHICLE WILL STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRFAKE ROTORS AND PADS.
NHTSA complaint #10031446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dobbsferry, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE, BUT VEHICLE WILL STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRFAKE ROTORS AND PADS.
NHTSA complaint #10031446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucca Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS DID NOT FIT CORRECTLY. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,317 milesSeal Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THER MASTER BRAKE CYCLINDER INTERMITTENT.
NHTSA complaint #10008031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesLumberton, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. *MR *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8022659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kearny, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SUDDEN ACCELLERATION OF CAR. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. HAD TO PUT CAR IN "PARK" TO STOP VEHICLE. ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AS IF GAS PEDAL PUSHED TO FLOOR. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #764083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CLAIM NUMBER 32-V073-594 - AS CONSUMER WAS LEAVING MOBILE STATION TO HAVE VEHICLE SERVICE FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #6901141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, NCFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING INSURED FIRST NOTICED SMOKE AND IT APPEARS THAT FIRE BEGAN IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THEN LOST CONTROL OF BRAKES. CLAIM # 33-0210-256.
NHTSA complaint #6901142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PT Jefferson Station, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO, HAD TSB STATING BRAKE PADS HAD TOO MUCH METALLIC CONTENTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HAD ROTORS REPAIRED, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS KEPT WEARING PREMATURELY.*AK AFTER CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED,THE FRONT BRAKES STILL GROAN.
NHTSA complaint #8008611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PT Jefferson Station, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO, HAD TSB STATING BRAKE PADS HAD TOO MUCH METALLIC CONTENTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HAD ROTORS REPAIRED, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS KEPT WEARING PREMATURELY.*AK AFTER CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED,THE FRONT BRAKES STILL GROAN.
NHTSA complaint #8008611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whittier, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, NOTES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER RESPECTFULLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8005138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seaford, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WITH 11,000 MILES ON VEHICLE THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN BRAKE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE UNDER A SERVICE BULLETIN. THEN, AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON AUGUST 23, 2001 FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RUBBING NOISE DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. ALSO AT 54,000 MILES ON JANUARY 22, 2002 REAR BRAKE DRUMS FAILED,AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seaford, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
WITH 11,000 MILES ON VEHICLE THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN BRAKE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE UNDER A SERVICE BULLETIN. THEN, AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON AUGUST 23, 2001 FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RUBBING NOISE DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. ALSO AT 54,000 MILES ON JANUARY 22, 2002 REAR BRAKE DRUMS FAILED,AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Angelas, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
UPON TURNING IGNITION VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISE. WHILE DRIVING BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE HAS TO PRESS PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vistia, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ROTORS /PADS OVERHEATED, HAS TO CHANGE THEM EVERY 8000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #898176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.