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: vehicle speed control
265 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Jul 2, 2004
WHILE BRAKING UPHILL RPMS ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 24, 2004, crash
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CAUSED A COLLISION. *AK *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 23, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SIX TIMES. *AK THE DEALER HAS PUT 400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jun 14, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CHAIN AND FENCE POST. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *SC *JB
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jun 4, 2004, crash
- NEW TOYOTA CAMRY LE PURCHASED JANUARY 2004 - ON FEBRUARY 25TH KEY WOULD NOT TURN (TOOK 10 - 15 MINUTES TO START IT) - LATER WHILE PARKING, THE CAR THE STEERING LOCKED TURNING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT - THE CAR ACCELERATED AND SURGED DESPITE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE (SAME AS ODI PEO4021) - THOUGH THE CAR BROKE A METAL FLAG POLE, DAMAGED A RETAINING WALL, AND FELL SEVEN FEET INTO A MAJOR STREET, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - CAR IS SEVERELY DAMAGED: WHEELS, TIRES, FRONT END, GAS TANK, FRONT AXLE - DRIVER HAS A SWOLLEN AND SORE KNEE ALONG WITH SIGNIFICANT SOFT TISSUE INJURIES INCLUDING BACK PAIN *SC *JB
Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 29, 2004, crash
DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THEN UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY, WOULD NOT STOP, COLLIDED WITH A MOBILE HOME, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF ONE PASSENGER AND INJURY OF DRIVER *LA SEE ALSO VOQ 10171110. *DSY. UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 08/23/10*JB UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW
Vehicle speed control, May 27, 2004
THERE IS A LAG IN THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT WHEN THE CAR IS AT SLOW SPEED. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN GETTING ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY. IN ADDITION THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT ALL THE TIME.*MR
Vehicle speed control, May 24, 2004
VEHICLE IS A NEW 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH 190 MILES ON IT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND TRAVELLED ABOUT TWO CAR LENGHTS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT.*AK
Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2004, crash
WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE CRASHED INTO FOUR HOUSES, INJURING SEVERAL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY ONE PERSON IN BEDROOM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Apr 29, 2004
UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES CONSUMER SOMETIMES DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. THIS CAUSESD THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 26, 2004
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET OF MY SUBDIVISION AT ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR AND MY CAR SURGED FORWARD ON ITS OWN ON TWO OCCASIONS. AGAIN WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY BRAKE ON, IT SURGED FORWARD AGAIN AND THEN DID IT AGAIN WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I BARELY GOT IT STOPPED IN TIME TO KEEP IT FROM REAR ENDING AN 18 WHEELER CAB IN FRONT OF ME.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 16, 2004, crash
CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING ,CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERS. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK 9/26/2005 - THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER THE REPAIRS (THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AGAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR. THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL FEELS SOFT/LOW. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Mar 25, 2004, crash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE
Vehicle speed control, Mar 22, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A TREE. DRIVER SUSTAINED LOWER BACK INJURIES. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2004, crash
AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY NEW (LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD) TOYOTA CAMRY 2004 SURGED FORWARD AT A HIGH VELOCITY AND I HIT A BRICK WALL DAMAGING MY VEHICLE. INJURY: SPRAINED RIBS AND BRUISES TO CHEST AND KNEES. *AK