1998 vs 1999 Toyota Camry

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check. Walk away if found marks a fault serious enough to walk away from the car.

1998

Nothing that 1999 lacks.

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

  • Engine oil sludge All years Walk away if found

    What to check: With the engine off, look under the oil filler cap for sludge, and watch the exhaust at start-up for blue smoke. Ask for the oil change records.

    In 2002 Toyota offered cover for sludge damage on 1997–2002 Toyota and Lexus models with the 3.0L V6 or 2.2L four, for eight years from first sale. A 2007 settlement covered Camry fours of 1997–2001 and V6s of 1997–2002, among about 3.5 million vehicles, for eight years and 120 days from purchase, ConsumerAffairs reports. Both have long run out. Samarins, an unofficial source, says to pass on a car that shows any blue smoke, and CarComplaints.com, another, lists a seized engine as the 1999's worst problem.

    Work Truck Online, ConsumerAffairs, Samarins.com, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Knocking from the front struts All years

    What to check: Drive over bumps and listen for knocks from the front, and look at the strut mounts and the anti-roll bar links and bushings.

    Samarins, an unofficial source, says worn front strut mounts were common. An owner commenting under Curbside Classic's 1983 article reports a 1997 whose struts knocked against the body at about 100,000 miles, cured with new struts.

    Samarins.com, owners' reports (unofficial)

Rare catches

1998

Nothing that 1999 lacks.

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

  • Rare TRD supercharger kit Package

    A TRD kit for the V6, 1997 to 2000 A published reference

Recalls

1998

  • 99V307000 1995–1998

    The steering wheel nut may be loose, causing steering vibration and play. NHTSA

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

  • 01V012000 1998–2001

    The accelerator cable housing can deform at the cruise control actuator, and the cable can wear through and break. NHTSA

What changed between

After 1998, up to and including 1999.

  1. 1999Two new audio systems and daytime running lights. Vintage Red Pearl, Sable Pearl and Woodland Pearl replace Sunfire Red Pearl, Ruby Pearl and Classic Green Pearl. Toyota, Edmunds

What it came with

1998

Nothing that 1999 lacks.

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

Engines
2.2L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference, 3.0L V6 Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual A published reference, Automatic Edmunds
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Trims
CE Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference, LE Toyota, Edmunds, XLE Toyota, Edmunds
Packages
Leather seats Toyota, Edmunds, Theft-deterrent package (1998–2001) Edmunds, TRD supercharger kit (1997–2000) A published reference

Colors

1998

  • Sunfire Red Pearl 3K4, 1997–1998 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Ruby Pearl 3L3, 1997–1998 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Classic Green Pearl 6P2, 1997–1998 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Frosted Iris Metallic 931, 1997–1998 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

1999

  • Sable Pearl 4N7, 1999 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Vintage Red Pearl 3N6, 1999–2001 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Woodland Pearl 6R1, 1999–2001 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black 202 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Cashmere Beige Metallic 4M9 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Antique Sage Pearl 1B2 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Dusk Pearl 930, 1997–1999 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Velvet Pearl 8L3, 1997–1999 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1998

Nothing that 1999 lacks.

1999

Nothing that 1998 lacks.

Both years

  • Avoid: Cheaper made than the 3rd gen All years Less sought after

    SlashGear finds this one of the least troubled Camrys, with few complaints, investigations and recalls, but says owners don't praise it much and does not recommend one used. To Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, Toyota's savings left it plainer than the 3rd gen in both looks and build. SlashGear, Curbside Classic