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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 799

Of the 2004 reports, 223 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 145 people were injured and 6 people died.

Primary concernVehicle speed control265 reports · 33% of complaints
Owner complaints799Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Vehicle speed control265
  2. Steering110
  3. Air bags98
  4. Service brakes86
  5. Hydraulic62
  6. Power train61
  7. Structure55
  8. Electrical system43

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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: steering

110 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Steering, Dec 11, 2023

    The power steering freezes up upon the slightest amount of street water ponding making it almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. I have experienced a number of scary situations that make driving this car in wet elements very very difficult. As a result I generally refrain from driving altogether under these conditions. This dangerous problem must be fixed soon! I HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST TO MY LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA OF DALLAS)

  2. Steering, Service brakes, Aug 8, 2020, crash

    WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY AT A NON-SPEEDING LEVEL,DRY WEATHER, WHEEL LOCKED UP PREVENTING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, LEADDING TO VEHICLE HITTING A CURB THEN AIRBORNE AND TURNOVER RESULTING TO SALVAGE DAMAGES.

  3. Steering, Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 21, 2019, crash

    CAR SITTING AT IDLE POSITION SUDDENLY LAUNCHED FORWARD. VEHICLE WAS GOING 2-3 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY LAUNCHED FORWARD AND SMASHED INTO A WALL AT A TOP DONUT DRIVE THRU.

  4. Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 20, 2017, crash

    ON MARCH 6, 2016, MOVING WEST ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH 10:45 P.M., LESS THAN 500' FROM HOME. CRYSTAL CLEAR NIGHT. CAR FREEZES, STEERING & BRAKES LOCK, CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND KEEPS MUCH HIGHER SPEED. WITH BOTH ARMS, I PULLED CAR FROM HEAD-ON WITH UTILITY POLE TO VERY HIGH PALM TREE. HEAD-ON ITH TREE, AIRBAG RELEASES, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. I TURNED CAR OFF, TOOK KEYS, CAR ENGINE CONTINUES AS DID HORN BLOWING & WHITE SMOKE. IT TOOK THREE AAA TRUCKS TO REMOVE CAR FROM TREE TRUNK, WITH STEERING AND BRAKES STILL LOCKED. CAR WAS ALONE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD MOVING WEST, DRIVER ALONE, VERY RESIDENTIAL WITH PEOPLE WALKING DOGS, PILOTS AND STEWS RUNNING, JOGGERS AND PUPS AND CATS PROWLING. NO ONE WAS AROUND. A GUARD FROM A GATED COMMUNITY ON THE STREET'S NORTH SIDE WAS THE 1ST TO APPEAR. EVENTUALLY 4 POLOCE OFFICERS WERE THERE, ONE TALKED TO ME OFTEN.

  5. Steering, Apr 3, 2017

    WAS INFORMED THAT MY POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS LEAKING AND THE STEERING DEVICES COULD LOSE ITS RESTRAINTS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS COULD LEAD TO CAR LOSING COMPLETE STEERING CAUSING A SEVERE CRASH AND POTENTIALLY DEATH TO ITS OCCUPANTS. WITH THE RECENT RECALL FOR NISSAN VEHICLES REGARDING POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS, THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THE LEAKS MAY CAUSE FIRE TO MY VEHICLE. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE TECHNICIAN, HE STATED THAT OVER TIME THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MAY "RUST" AND NEED REPAIRS. I ASKED ABOUT HOW OFTEN DOES THIS OR HAS THIS ISSUED OCCURRED FOR TOYOTA BRAND CARS OR TRUCKS? NO DATA WAS PROVIDED. I WENT ON TO PRESS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DID NOT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. SINCE GETTING THE NEWS ABOUT MY CAR, I HAVE NOTICED WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS MY CAR QUICKLY SHIFTS STEERING TOWARD THE RIGHT AT VAROUS SPEEDS INTO THE NEXT LANE. I TRY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BY STAYING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER CARS.

  6. Steering, Aug 19, 2016

    WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY - AUGUST 18, 2016, POWER STEERING WENT ON AND OFF WHEN TURNING. SEEMED TO BE THE POWER STEERING - MADE IT HARD TO TURN THE WHEELS. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY STRAIGHT AHEAD WAS FINE. ON CITY STREETS AND PARKING THE ISSUE WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND FRIGHTENING SINCE I DIDN'T KNOW IF I COULD CONTROL MY MOVING VEHICLE. . IN CHECKING TO SEE WHERE TO GET REPAIR DONE, I NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING ON THE 2004 CAMRY. CALLED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VIN NUMBER HAS NO RECALLS.

  7. Steering, Jul 29, 2016

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FAILURE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

  8. Steering, Vehicle speed control, May 3, 2016, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CASHED INTO A PALM TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,100.

  9. Steering, Feb 19, 2016

    THE CAR HAS 70100 MILES. NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES LOW CLICKS WHEN TURNING AND THERE IS A SLIGHT MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAILURE OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY SAID NO RECALLS WERE ON THIS VEHICLE. ASKED TOYOTA VIA EMAIL ON 2/19 IF THE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED AND REQUESTED THE CORRECT PART NUMBER TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. CAR IS SITTING AWAITING AN UPDATE FROM TOYOTA AND REPAIR.

  10. Steering, Electrical system, Apr 25, 2015

    WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT ABOUT 25MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I APPLIED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY BUT THEY CAR STILL IMPACTED, THEN CONTINUED OVER THE CURB. THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED FOR A WHILE AFTER THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND THEN FINALLY RELEASED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ONLY WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED, ALTHOUGH IT REMAINED LOCKED STUBBORNLY EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS PUT IN DRIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTED SLIGHTLY. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CAR LOCKED UP WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. *TR

  11. Steering, Nov 6, 2014, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING RIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND INTO THE WATER. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND CRASH CAUSED BY THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

  12. Steering, Aug 1, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

  13. Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Feb 25, 2014

    WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM PARKING LOT TO GO HOME, I HEARD LOUD NOISE FROM FRONT OF MY CAR AND FELT STIFFNESS OF CONTROL OF MY CAR. I TRIED TO DRIVE BACK TO PARKING TO TAKE A LOOK, BUT THE CAR LOST OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND OUT THE POWER STEERING PULLEY HAD BROKEN OFF AND THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF. I WAS LUCKY IT HAPPENED IN PARKING LOT, OR I MAY GET TO A CAR ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED TO TOYOTA, BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOT IN RECALL OF FAILED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BECAUSE THE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT IN THE RANGE OF RECALL. BUT MY CAR HAS EXACTLY SAME ISSUE THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V539000 HAS. THE CAR IS 2004 CAMRY. *TR

  14. Steering, Jan 8, 2014

    I STARTED UP MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WHILE PARKED AT CURB. WHEN I PUT CAR IN "DRIVE," THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP (FROZE IN PLACE). I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. RESTARTED CAR AND STEERING WAS NORMAL. *TR

  15. Steering, Oct 23, 2013

    I HAVE STEERING NOISE ISSUE FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2004. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SO MANY TIMES TO REPORT THIS TO THE DEALER AND GET IT FIXED BUT DEALER HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. AFTER THE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE IS OVER WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THIS AGAIN DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE PARTS WITH THE COST OF 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE BEFORE OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE SUBMITTED MY COMPLAINT EARLIER BUT STILL WANT TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA TO RECORD THIS FOR FUTURE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND FOUND OUT APPARENTLY ALL THE 2003-2004 TOYOTAS HAS THIS SAME ISSUE BUT THE COMPANY AND THE DEALERS TRIES TO DENY THAT. *TR

  16. Steering, Sep 26, 2013

    MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10, 5 MILES WEST OF CRESTVIEW FLORIDA. SHE WAS IN LEFT LANE, IN WET CONDITIONS. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING THE CAR TO FLIP AND OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING THE CAR TO CREATE A HAZARD AND RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS. PASSANGERS HAD TO CRAW OUT TO AVOID FURTHER INJURY. TOTAL LOSS OF CAR AND INJURED TWO PEOPLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS ISSUED A NHTSA WARNING- ID- 11V539000. NEVER RECEIVED THIS WARNING. *JS

  17. Steering, Jun 12, 2013

    I SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED EFFORT TO MAKE A TURN. *TR

  18. Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 4, 2013, crash

    I WAS DRIVING, TOOK A CORNER AND MY CAR TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING OR SIGNAL, AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND HIT ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON, DRIVE TEN FEET AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. I WENT TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND THEY STATED IT WAS A CODE 2112 THROTTLE ISSUE. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND SAW SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AND AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE AS MY CAR HAS. TOYOTA IS NOT RECALLING OR PROVIDING FREE SERVICE ON THE PARTS AND I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF OVER 1300.00 TO FIX. SEEING THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR - I DIDNT DO A THING TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN, AND IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING AND OR RECALLING THESE VEHICLES. *TR

  19. Steering, Feb 28, 2013

    TOOK CAR FOR TEST DRIVE ON ROAD DESCRIBED TO ME BY A DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE AS AN UNCROWNED ROAD.LET GO OF STEERING WHEEL A FEW TIMES AND IMMEDIATELY THE CAR TOOK OFF TO THE LEFT REPEATEDLY. WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, SAID WOULD BUY CAR, BUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE STEERING PULLING CURED.WENT BACK NEXT DAY OR TWO, TIRES ROTATED. ON DRIVE HOME PULLING WAS BACK.WENT BACK FOR REALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS "MINIMALIZED".GOT IN THE CAR, LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL, STARTED THE PULLING IN THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. TOOK CAR TO INDEPENDENT TO CHECK THE FRONT END.HE SAID COULD ONLY FIND MOST MINOR ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS,NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE PULLING. HE CHECKED OUT UNDERSIDE FOR ANY DAMAGE, FOUND NOTTHING. BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT OF RACK & PINION & TWO NEW TIRES ON THE FRONT. JOB FINISHED, LEFT AND MADE RIGHT ONTO HIGHWAY.GOT A RIGHT HAND PULL. CAR NEVER PREVIOUSLY PULLED RIGHT EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN BRAKING.MADE LEFT TO GO HOME AND HAD ONLY LEFT PULLING ON ALL ROADS TRAVELED.ON OPEN SIX LANE HIGHWAY I LET GO OF THE WHEEL, BY THE COUNT OF THREE ENTIRE CAR IS IN THE LANE TO THE LEFT. I READ ON THIS SITE INCIDENTS WITH PULLING THAT HAVE RESULTED IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS. *TR

  20. Steering, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2012, crash

    I WAS APPROACHING A FREEWAY IN ATLANTA, GA. AS THE CONNECTOR CURVED, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH AND GENTLY BRAKE ABOUT 200 FEET FROM THE FREEWAY. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED, THROWING MY HEAD BACK AGAINST THE HEADREST; I BRAKE HARDER BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE CAR; THE CAR SEEMED TO PIVOT ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND THE REAR END FLEW TO MY LEFT ABOUT 240 DEGREES OR SO AND STRUCK THE GUARD RAIL WITH THE LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND BUMPER. THE CAR THEN, CONTINUING AT HIGH SPEED, RICOCHETED OFF THE GUARD RAIL AND THE REAR END PIVOTED TOWARD THE ROAD, MAKING THE FRONT BUMPER STRIKE THE SAME GUARD RAIL. THE SECOND COLLISION SCRAPED THE PAINT OFF THE CENTER OF THE BUMPER BUT THE IMPACT SEEMED STRONGER THAN THE DAMAGE WOULD INDICATE. THE SECOND IMPACT DID STOP THE CAR. I MAKE THIS REPORT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE RECALLED BY TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM; BUT, BELIEVE ME, IT HAPPENED. *TR

  21. Steering, Jan 5, 2012

    NO INCIDENT, PROGRAM KEEP ASKING FOR DATE: ITS A DUMMY DATE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF TOYOTA CAMRY LXI 2004. AROUND 35,260 MILES AND BEFORE 3 YEARS (UNDER WARRANTY) STEERING STARTED CAUSING TROUBLE, STARTED TO FEEL AND HEAR CLLCKING IN THE STEERING WHEN EVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED OR DURING DRIVING IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM SOME TIMES STEERING GETS REALLY HARD DURING DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN CHICAGO AND IT WAS TESTED BY A MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. AFTER 16 MONTHS AND AT 43,752 MILES THE PROBLEM GOT WORST AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE SAME AUTHORIZED DEALER IN CHICAGO, AND AFTER CHECKING IT I WAS TOLD THAT YES THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND IT WILL COST ME $520 + LABOR TO FIX IT. I REFUSED TO PAY AND TOLD THEM THAT I WILL FILE A COMPLAIN WITH TOYOTA CORP THAT WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR FOR THE SAME REASON UNDER WARRANTY IT WAS NOT FIXED AND NOW YOU WANT TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM CHARGING THE CUSTOMER. FINALLY THE MANAGER GOT THE OK FROM TOYOTA CORP AND FIXED THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGE. NOW AFTER 3 YEARS AT 63,632 MILES SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING RETURNED AND A AUTHORIZED DEALER IN CALIFORNIA WANTS TO CHARGE ME $715 + LABOR. I FILED A ONLINE COMPLAIN WITH TOYOTA CORP (MAIN OFFICE IN TORRANCE, CA) AND AFTER INVESTIGATION THEY TOLD ME THAT WHEN THE AUTHORIZED DEALER IN CHICAGO FIXED THE PROBLEM, HE FIXED IT AS A GOODWILL ! WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED FOR NO CHARGE. I DON'T THINK I LIKE TO PAY ANY MONEY FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM AND TOYOTA CORP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMER. *TR

  22. Steering, Vehicle speed control, Tires, Nov 22, 2011

    THE LEFT FRONT TIRE ( NEW TIRE, I PUNCHED 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES 7/11) ON MY CAR POPPED. I AM NOT SURE IF THE CAR PEDAL GOT STUCK FIRST, EVERYTHING HAPPENED FAST. STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE AND THE CAR WHEN SIDE TO SIDE AS I ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE CAR. THE STEWING WHEEL WOULD TURN, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. THE MAJOR THING IS THAT I COULDN'T OPERATE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE PEDAL GETTING STUCK AND THE STEERING WAS IMPOSSIBLE AFTER THAT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO CARRIAGE CAGE AUTO REPAIR BY AAA, WHO RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT THERE, SINCE THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. I THEN WENT TO THE ER ROOM FOR CARE. NATIONWIDE INSURANCE WAS NOTIFIED, THEY GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF OVER FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE CAR. TOYOTA IN LAKE CITY, WA -BRUCE IN AUTO CARE WAS NOTIFIED REGARDING THE PEDAL BECOMING STUCK. I WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR THERE ONCE IT IS REPAIRED. I WONDER HOW SAFE IS THE CAR AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

  23. Steering, Nov 9, 2011

    I BOUGHT THE USED 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY IN OCTOBER AND FOUND THAT THE CAR WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT AND FOUND THAT I HAD TO FIRMLY HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WENT TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG TOYOTA CAMRY OWNERS. TOYOTA DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. IN JANUARY 2011 I EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS I WAS ENTERING A MAJOR HIGHWAY THAT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME. I DROVE IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE AND DROPPED MY SPEED UNTIL THE VIBRATION STOPPED. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE STEERING MECHANISM AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD WHEEL ALIGNMENTS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS. I AM HAVING TROUBLE STEERING WHEN I MAKE LEFT- OR RIGHT-HAND TURNS IN ADDITION TO HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL (WHICH BECOMES STRESSFUL DURING LONG DRIVING TRIPS). MY NECK MUSCLES BECOME VERY CRAMPED BECAUSE I NEED TO FOCUS ON STEERING THE CAR. I'VE REGISTERED MY CAR WITH TOYOTA AND I'M WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED THAT I DO NOT ENJOY DRIVING. *TR

  24. Steering, Jul 26, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIFTED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INVOLUNTARILY. THE FAILURE OCCURED CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

  25. Steering, Jun 23, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT DECELERATED TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AS THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS AS STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE DUE TO THE STEERING PUMP BEING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.