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: service brakes
86 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 28, 2006
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. THE BRAKES ARE MUCH TOO SOFT AND ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IN THE LAST 2 1/2 YEARS, AND ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER, NAME BRAND AND UNKNOWN MECHANICS-ALL TO NO AVAIL. I'VE SPENT A SMALL FORTUNE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM WILL BE THE ROOT OF AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE SEE WWW.AUTOSITE.COM/CONTENT/RESEARCH/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/POSTS/FID/3327 TO UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS COMPLAINT. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 21, 2006
I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS 5 TIMES TOYOTA CLAIMS ALL WEAR AND TEAR BUT THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM IS A DEFECT CAR IS A LEMON FROM THE START. TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX IT. *JB
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 9, 2006
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY BRAKES SPONGY. *KB THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE BRAKE WERE SPONGY SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS 3" BRINGING THE PEDAL TO WITHIN 1" OF THE FLOOR. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Jul 25, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSIDE OF A PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD CRASHING INTO THREE POLES AND A TICKET MACHINE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - THE IMPACT CAUSED WHIPLASH AND PAIN IN THE CONSUMER'S NECK. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED BEFORE AND RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE PEDALS MAY BE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER CAUSING HIM TO HIT THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE BRAKING. THE CONSUME BELIEVES THE HEAD REST ARE TOO LOW TO PREVENT WHIPLASH. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 10, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS ACTIVATED AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 20, 2006
MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY'S ABS BREAKS CAN'T STOP ON ICY ROAD. PLS. TELL TOYATA NOT TO INSTALL THOSE ABS BREAKS IN SNOWY STATES, NOT SAFE FOR DRIVER OR PEDESTRIAN. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, May 26, 2006, crash
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, MY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE TWO THINGS ONE IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS AND THE SECOND IS THE TIRES BRIDGESTONE. THE PEDAL IS TOO SOFT, DOESN'T STOP THE CAR AS IT SHOULD, THE ABS LOCKED ON MANY OCCASIONS REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER CONDITION. I MANAGED TO HIT A THE FRONT OF THE CAR TWICE AND ONCE IN THE REAR. ALL OF THE ABS SYSTEM, WHILE THE DAMAGE IS ONLY TO MY CAR ITS BECOMING A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE HOW SAFE IS THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER AND HE REPLACED THE PADS ONCE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST AND THE REAR BREAKS ARE MAKING SQUEAKY SOUND. I HAVE 21,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND ITS MY FIRST NEW CAR AND IT WILL BE THE LAST TOYOTA I OWN. THE DEALER DENIES ANY PROBLEMS AND THEY SAY ITS NORMAL BUT ITS NOT. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 19, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT GOES TO THE FLOOR CAUSING AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 8, 2005
THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES. IN 2/05 I HAD A WHOLE COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED. NOW LESS THAN 8 MONTHS LATER I NEED ANOTHER ONE. THE DEALER OR TOYOTA CORP STATE THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I TOTALLY DISAGREE AND FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ANYMORE. I HAVE WRITTEN NUMEROUS LATER MADE MANY CALLS AND TOYOTA IGNORES THEM ALL. I TOOK THE CAR AND HAD IT INSPECTED AT A INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDER AND THEY STATE THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG OR DEFECTIVE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 2, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM,A BECAUSE PRESSING THE BRAKES VERY HARD OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS RESULTED IN THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM PAIN FOOT, LEG AND HIP PAIN. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE OR TO PRESS THE BRAKES WAS CAUSING DIMENSION STOPPING CAPACITY. SHE KNOW LONGER DROVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE PAIN, AND THE CONSTANT FEAR OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Aug 18, 2005, crash
DT: THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE CONSUMER AT LEAST FOUR ACCIDENTS. BECAUSE WHEN THE CONSUMER GOES TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE T WILL ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GAS PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WAS SO SURPRISED EVERY TIME THIS OCCURRED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL SHE HIT SOMETHING. THREE TIMES THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO STOP IT WHILE BETWEEN OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN MAY 2005. SHE OBTAINED INJURIES BECAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORTS WERE TAKEN. ON 8-17-05 THE CONSUMER HIT A LIGHT POLE. PREVIOUSLY, THE CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE FROM THEM. ALSO, THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH LEG ROOM IN THE DRIVER SIDE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 20, 2005
(1) PERMANENT BEHAVIOR (2) BRAKES FADE - BRAKING FORCE IS NOT CONSTANT WITH APPLICATION OF PEDAL AND THE PEDAL SINKS AS THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONSEQUENCE: NOT ENOUGH BRAKING PRESSURE IS APPLIED AND EMERGENCY APPLICATION OF MORE BRAKING IS REQUIRED. (3) ATTEMPTED TO GET MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. FOLLOWED ARBITRATION PROCEDURE WHEN THAT FAILED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 20, 2005, crash
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY EXPERIENCED SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS UNALE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN THE BRAKE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH INVOLVED 4 VEHICLES. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 24, 2005, crash
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 4/26/04, 6/11/04, 7/8/04, 7/31/04 AND 11/8/04. ON 4/26/04 THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. ON 11/2/04 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 10 MPH SHE USED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A CRASH. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE CAR AND A MR. TROY HIGA, CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR, WROTE ME A LETTER STATING THAT TOYOTA COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Feb 18, 2005, crash
WHILE PARKING HIS 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND HIT A PARKED CAR. *NM WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO FLIP, SHIFTING GEARS WERE NOT SMOOTH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS AN ERRATIC EFFECT WHEN CHANGING THE RADIO STATIONS. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2005, crash
BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN GOING OVER BUMPY ROADS, ASLO BRAKES DO SEEM TO WROK AS\ DESIGN (TO STOP) WHEN IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED. I PRESS THE BRAKES WHEN TRYING TO STOP AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT HOWVER THE BRAKES DID NOT APPEAR TO WORK AND THE CAR JST KEPT ON GOING AS I THE BRAKES DID NOT EXIST. I PRESS HARD WITH MORE THAN ADEQUATE TIME, HOWEVER THE BRAKES DID NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 25-30 MILES PER HOUR AND THE BRAKES AILED TO REACT AS EXPECTED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 14, 2005
THE CONSUMER WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT DUE TO FAULTY BRAKES. *TC THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY AND WERE FADING AND OR DIMINISHING. *SC *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Jan 3, 2005
WHILE DRIVING BRAKES AND/OR STEERING WAS OVER RIDING HIS JUDGMENT. VEHICLE STARTED THE PULL TO THE RIGHT CONSUMER HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN LINE. *AK....WHILE DRIVING ON DRY FLAT ROAD ABOUT 70 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER TRIED TO CORRECT BACK STRAIGHT BUT STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. TURNED HARDER AND TO LEFTAND CAR STARTED LEF TOFF THE ROAD. TRIED TO CORRECT BACK RIGHT LIGHTLY AND STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. TURNE DHARDER RIGHT AND CAR WENT HARD RIGHT ALMOST OFF THE ROAD. CONSUME RHIT THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM LEAVING THE ROAD. ALSO, VEHICLE HAS BAD VIBRATION A THIGHWAY SPEEDS FROM TIRES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 21, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE ABS FAILED. THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE ABS DID NOT KICK IN WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE. *AK *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Dec 11, 2004, crash
APPROACHING INTERSECTION THE STOP LIGHT CHANGED AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD, BUT DID NOT STOP VEHICLE BEFORE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. SPEED AT IMPACT WAS APPROX. 20 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. JUST RECENTLY HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SOFT BRAKE PEDAL CHECKED, AND WAS TOLD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Nov 22, 2004
THE SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL TO CLOSE RESULT IN SOMETIMES PUSHING BOTH PEDALS AT ONCE. *BF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS 4 3/4 INCHES WIDE AND HE BOTTOM OF THE CONSUMERS SHOES WAS 4 1/2 INCHES WIDE. THE GAS PEDAL WAS OVER TO THE CENTER OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT HIS BOTTOM OR TWIST HIS FOOT INWARD AND PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE HIS KNEE WOULD NOT BEND SIDEWAY. *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 5, 2004
AFTER HEARING THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THEREAFTER THEY DID NOT HOLD AS EFFECTIVELY, HOWEVER, THE BRAKES WERE NOT INSPECTED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2004
NEW CAR PURCHASED. BRAKE PEDAL CLEARANCE IS 1" FROM FLOOR. OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICATION IS 2.5" MINIMUM. TOYOTA SERVICE DECLARES NO PROBLEM EXISTS.*AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 23, 2004
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD - CAR PULLED SEVERELY TO LEFT AT TIME OF PURCHASE. TOYOTA'S FIRST ATTEMPT LESSENED LEFT HAND PULL. TOYOTA'S SECOND REDUCED PULL, BUT NOW STEERING IS SLOPPY. TOYOTA SAYS THEY "FIXED" IT. CAR FEELS "TWITCHY". ON CROWNED ROADS YOU WILL PULL HARD TO WHATEVER SIDE THE ROAD LEANS TO. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE - TOO SCARY TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER NON-SAFETY RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR - SHARP RATTLE FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE, VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE IS SOFT. *JB