2004 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 799 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 223 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 145 people were injured and 6 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingNov 9, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 11V539000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, buckle assemblyDec 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..
Campaign 04V595000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowJul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2010, fire
TOYOTA CAMRY 2004 GOT CAUGHT ON FIRE I DROVE MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2004 THE OTHER DAY AND SUDDENLY THE ABS SYSTEM WAS TRIGGERED. ENGINE DIED. WHEN I CRANKED IT BACK UP AGAIN, SMOKES STARTED COMING OUT. I CHANGED MY OIL REGULARLY. THE LAST ONE WAS A WEEK BEFORE AT VALVOLINE (THEY CHECKED ALL FLUIDS) TOYOTA RAN AN INVESTIGATION AND THIS IS WHAT THEY MADE UP: "SERPENTINE BELT IS FAULTY, CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED, PRESSURE IN RADIATOR CAUSED IT TO BURST AND SPRAYED COOLANT ONTO THE BATTERY AND FUSE BOX AND RELAY PANEL WHICH LED TO A SHORT CIRCUIT" I TALKED TO A NICE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT TOYOTA AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT THEY MADE UP TO GET AWAY IT. HE EXPLAINED TO ME HOW THAT WASN'T TOO LIKELY TO HAPPEN TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT THEY'LL CALL ME BEFORE INSPECTING THE CAR. THEY NEVER DID . THEY SENT ME A LETTER, WHICH ARRIVED A DAY AFTER MY VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO BE TOWED FROM THE DEALER (ON FRIDAY). I HAD TO WAIT TILL MONDAY TO TOW IT AWAY AND THEY CHARGED ME WEEKENDS STORAGE FEE ($25 A DAY) I PLANNED TO JUST DONATE THE CAR AND IT WILL USUALLY TAKES 2-3 DAYS. I THOUGHT I'LL DO THAT BY THE TIME THEY ARE READY TO INSPECT MY CAR. I CALLED TOYOTA EARLIER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK (2 DAYS - EVEN AFTER INSPECTION). AGAIN, THAT NEVER HAPPENED TILL NOW THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS BURNED UP. MOST STUFFS MELTED, BUT I'M SURPRISED THEY CAN CONCLUDE THAT IT'S THE SERPENTINE BELT. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE TO BELIEVE. EVERYTHING THERE MELTED AND TURNED BLACK BEFORE FIREMAN CAME (HUGE FIRE). I WENT TO CHECK AND RETRIEVE THE BELT AND IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE CUT IT DELIBERATELY. I EVEN HAD HARD TIME OPENING THE HOOD BECAUSE THEY DAMAGED IT..... DO YOU GUYS THINK THIS IS A FOUL PLAY? I GOT NO FULL COVERAGE ON THE CAR. I'M PRETTY MUCH BROKE NOW....AND THEY SORTA PUSH ME TO GET RID OF MY CAR THEY SAID THEY'LL CALL ME TO ARRANGE A MEETING FOR INSPECTION. THEY NEVER DID AND INSPECTED MY CAR ANYWAY THEY CUT SOME STUFFS LIKE SERPENTINE BELT FROM MY ENGINE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL HAD A SMALL CRACK ON IT. THE CRACKED EXPANDED THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND HAD EXTENDED NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD PREMATURELY DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,496.
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 1, 2010, crash
THE KEY IN MY TOYOTA SPECIAL EDITION 2004 CAMRY IS DESIGNED TO BE REMOVED ONLY WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN THE PARK POSITION. HOWEVER, MINE CAN BE REMOVED REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION OF THE GEAR SHIFT. EX: ONCE THE CAR IS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF AND SHOULD IT STILL BE IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE.. AS A RESULT , I HAD AN ACCIDENT AS THE CAR ROLLED DOWN AN INCLINE AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE..NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, BUT A CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN IN A CAR SEAT IN THE REAR AND I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I T HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT PLACING THE CAR IN THE PARK POSITION BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE. DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL THE ACCIDENT THAT IT WAS NOT DESIGNED THAT WAY. NOTIFIED THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF TOYOTA AND THEY RESPONDED WITH THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY SAFETY PROBLEM. WORLD TOYOTA IN ATLANTA WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR APPROXIMATELY $424.00, BUT I FEEL IT SHOULD BE TOYOTA'S RESPONSIBILITY AND DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Apr 8, 2010
THE VEHICLE'S REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A REQUIRED SAFETY ITEM IN NJ, DOES NOT WORK. PER TOYOTA, ENTIRE CONVERTIBLE TOP MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR WINDOW, AND THE NEW DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK EITHER. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND REFUSES TO REPLACE THE TOP UNDER WARRANTY OR REPAIR THE WINDOW SO THAT THE DEFROSTER WORKS. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SOLARA CONVERTIBLE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SPANNING MANY YEARS, STARTING WITH 2004 MODEL. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 11, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS RESET. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,835. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/14/10 *CN UPDATED 01/15/10*JB
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2009
IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY ON A BUSY STREET, MY CAR EXPERIENCED A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO PULL IT OFF FROM THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE SERVICE SHOP ADVISED ME THAT IT WILL COST OVER $1000 TO FIX THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT IN LATER MODEL YEARS, BUT TO DATE, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT DOES AFFECT ALL 2004 CAMRYS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY 4-CYLINDER VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 2 MPH THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED SURGE AT 3,000 RPMS, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP IN THE GAS PEDAL. THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE FOR $750. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK AFTER THEY SPOKE WITH MANAGEMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000. THE CONSUMER STATED DURING TESTING OF THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, THE DRIVERS FLOOR MAT WAS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AS A UNIT WITH THE COMPUTER CHIP/SENSOR ATTACHED. UPDATED 10/23/09
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2008
I HAD PROBLEMS WITH CAR 1ST DAY. THEY EVEN GAVE ME A FREE SUNROOF AND 3 FREE OIL CHANGE DUE TO THE PROBLEM AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FIX. BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEM. NOW MY CADILLAC COMVOR IS OUT AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX AFTER SAYING IT WAS COVERED. AND MY CAR IS ONLY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Oct 30, 2006
2004 TOYOTA SOLARA THIS CAR IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT 100%. I HAVE REPLACED 2 SETS OF BRAKES, ROTORS, CALIPERS BOTH RIGHT SIDE. ALSO BOTH INNER TIE ROD ENDS AND RIGHT CV SHAFT, WHEEL BEARINGS. A NEW BATTERY THE INTERIOR IS FALLING APART AND THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD PULLING TO THE RIGHT. TOYOTA REFUSED TO REPLACE MOST OF THE PARTS AS THEY SAY NOT COVERED UNDER THE NEW WARRANTY. *JB
Electrical system, Structure, Jan 8, 2006
O2 SENSORS FAILED DUE TO RODENTS OR RABBITS CHEWING THE PLASTIC WIRING HOUSING THE INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WIRES. O2 SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $600. THE OUTSIDE COATINGS OR SHEATHS FOR THE WIRING IS MADE OF A SOY BASED PLASTIC, AND POSSIBLY CONTAINING A "FISH OIL" IN THE SHEATH, WHICH ATTRACTS RODENTS AND RABBITS, AND THEY CHEW ON THE PLASTIC WIRE COVERINGS, THEREBY DESTROYING THE O2 SENSOR'S WIRING MECHANISM. THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT IN THE DENVER AND MOUNTAIN STATES AREAS AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED AS THE PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FIRES OR ENGINE FAILURES. THE WIRING HOUSING SHOULD BE CHANGED TO A "RETARDANT" TYPE OF WIRING TO PREVENT OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND NOT JUST FOR TOYOTA BUT FOR ALL MANUFACTURERS. *NM
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2005
DT: 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA, VEHICLE WILL STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, 55 MPH, 65 MPH, AND OTHER SPEEDS. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED IT DID NOT START AGAIN, THE ONLY PART OF THE VEHICLE THAT WORKED WAS THE RADIO. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO DEALER MANY TIMES, AND DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO MULTIPLE DEALERS. THE DEALERS HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED IT, CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS UNTIL AFTER HE PURCHASED VEHICLE . *AK
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2005
AT 630 MILES THE ODOMETER FAILED. WHICH READ 56 MILES UPON PURCHASE. THE SPEEDOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL, AND THE ODOMETER OPERATED UNDER ONE MODULE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE MODULE FAILED AGAIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE VEHICLE IN CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL SURGE FORWARD AT AN ALARMING RATE OF SPEED. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Nov 30, 2004, fire
THE CONSUMER STATED ON OCTOBER 17, 2004, AFTER BEING OUT OF THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS, THE VEHICLE BURNED TO ASHES. THE FIREMEN SEEMED TO THINK THE PROBLEM WAS THE AIR FUEL FLOW AND OR ELECTRICAL. CONSUMER JUST GOT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS LOCKED SO NO ONE COULD HAVE DONE THIS. *AK THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND A PEDESTRIAN YELLED ABOUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE BURNT TO ASHES, TOTALING THE VEHICLE. *SC
Electrical system, Nov 23, 2004, fire
MY CAR WAS LOCKED & PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-1/2 HR WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE CAR WAS TOTALED, 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. *AK
Electrical system, Nov 2, 2004, fire
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE 1 1/2 HOURS AFTER IT WAS SHUT OFF AND LOCKED." PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2004
ELECTRONIC GAS MILEAGE CALCULATOR IS OFF BY 4.5 MILES PER GALLON. IF FOLLOWED YOU WOULD RUN OUT OF GAS 50 TO 60 MILES BEFORE THEY SAY YOU SHOULD. 2004 TOYOTA XLE. OYOTA SAID, " IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A LITTLE OFF", MY CADILLAC WAS A LITTLE OFF 1 TO 2 TENTHS OF A MILE PER GALLON. I ASKED THEM TO FIX IT AND THERE ANSWER IS THEY CAN'T. WHEN I ASKED WHAT SHOULD I DO, THEY SAID, " WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO" . I PAID EXTRA FOR THE XLE FEATURES. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2004
MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BEEN IN THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANY TIMES NOW FOR VEHICLE PULLING THE THE LEFT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON. WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR ON SIDE ROADS ALL MY INSTRUMENT PANEL ICONS WILL LIGHT UP, THEN START GOING OUT ONE BY ONE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING OUT. THE COMPUTER CODES WERE PULLED WITH SENSORS BEING REPLACED. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AS WELL. I STILL HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH ALL ICONS POPING ON AND OFF. THIS STARTED FROM THE SECOND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. I'VE REQUESTED TOYOTA GIVE ME A TRADE IN AND IT WAS DENIGHED. I'VE MAILED IN A LETTER SHOWING THE HISTORY PRINT OUT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I'M AT THE END OF MY ROPE HERE AND I FEEL I HAVE A UNSAFE VEHICLE. I'M NOT WANTING MY WIFE OR SON TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. HOW DO I KNOW THE AIR BAG OR SOMETHING ELASE WILL DEPLOY?*AK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 11, 2004
DRL WILL NOT TURN ON HEADLIGHTS THAT THE OWNERS MANUAL ON PAGE 98 SAID THAT IT WILL, THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE AUTO IS A NEW 2004 CAMRY XLE, WITH 902 MILES AT THIS TIME. THE LIGHTS SHOULD COME ON AS STATED IN THE BOOK, OR A WARNING SHOULD BE IN THE MANUAL, THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WILL COME ON WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE DRL.*AK