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
799 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 4, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 3, 2009
TWO (2) SEPARATE INCIDENTS: BOTH TIMES, ACCELERATOR STUCK AND CAR HAD TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKE PEDAL AND PARKING BRAKE USED TO STOP VEHICLE. DEFINITELY NOTHING STUCK ON/UNDER ACCELERATOR EITHER TIME. HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE ASAP TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RACING TO VERY HIGH RPMS. 1. HAPPENED FIRST WHEN PARALLEL PARKING THE CAR. SPEED < 5MPH. APPROX MAY, 2007. CLEAR WEATHER. APPROX 60 DEGREES. HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. CAR WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. STARTED AND OPERATED OK WHEN RESTARTED AFTER THIS BREAK. 2. HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN FROM ABOUT 45 MPH. APPROX SEPT, 2008. PARTLY CLOUDY WEATHER. NO RAIN. APPROX 60 DEGREES. CAR WAS THEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. OPERATED OK WHEN RESTARTED AFTER THIS BREAK. NOT SURE OF EXACT DATES BUT IT COULD BE RECONSTRUCTED FROM DEALER RECORDS, IF NECESSARY. TOOK TO TWO SEPARATE TOYOTA DEALERS AND WAS TOLD BY EACH: "...NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR". "CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM." "KEEP AN EYE ON IT..." *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 28, 2009, crash
CAR WAS RAMMED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME BACK. I WAS THROWN FORWARD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL AND SERIOUSLY INJURED, THOUGH NOT PERMANENTLY. BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 26, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING IN A PARKING LOT AT LESS THAN 1 MPH. THERE WAS SLIGHT PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. AFTER A FEW MINUTES PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE LEFT KNEE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE SCENE WITH CAUTION. AN AUTO BODY COLLISION MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITH AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF $500.00. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 43,000.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2009
ON 09/20/08 I DROVE MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA TO A GREEK FESTIVAL ON MOUNTAINVIEW AVENUE IN SANTA ROSA. I WAS DIRECTED TO PARK MY CAR IN THE PARKING FIELD. I ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO GO OVER A SMALL BUMP AND THE MOTOR ROARED OUT OF CONTROL. I HAD TO QUICKLY THROW IT INTO ANOTHER GEAR TO KILL THE MOTOR. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR IT SEEMED TO BE OK. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. ON 9/22/08 I TOOK IT TO THE FREEMAN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SANTA ROSA. A REPRESENTATIVE TOOK ME OUT FOR A RIDE IN MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. THEY DID NOT MAKE OUT A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT. NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP SEEMED VERY CONCERNED. *TR
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
Steering, Oct 9, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A THUMPING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT ON HIS PARTICULAR MODEL THE ENTIRE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 60,000. THE CURRENT WAS 66,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 7, 2009, crash
DRIVING 2004 TOYTOA CAMRY WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED AND VEHICLE RAN INTO A SENIOR CENTER BUILDING. NO ONE WAS KILLED, BUT THE CAR HAS MAJOR DAMAGE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 15, 2009
DURING NORMAL USAGE OF THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST INTERMITTENT, NOW CONTINUOUS. ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO FUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE KEYS CAN OPEN MULTIPLE LOCKS BUT YOU CAN'T LOCK THE CAR THE DRIVERS SEAT. *TR
Visibility, Sep 8, 2009
MY TOYOTA CAMRY LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR WAS BURNED , BUT THE FUSE STILL GOOD, AND I PULLED RIGHT SIDES TWO FUSES, THE WINDOWS STILL CAN GO UP AND DOWN, THAT MEAN THE ELECTROCITY DIDN'T GO THROUGH FUSES TO THE MOTORS. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Sep 1, 2009
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THROTTLE BODY FAILED, ENGINE CUT OFF WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC. DEALER REPLACE THROTTLE BODY, COST $1076.81. *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
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 19, 2009, crash
TIME & PLACE OF ACCIDENT 9:30A.M. 8-17-09 TOLL BROTHERS IRONWOOD MODEL/SALES OFFICE PARKING LOT. UPDATED 04/20/2010. *LJ AFTER ENTERING SALES MODELS PARKING LOT FROM WATSON WAY, I WAS BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH SLOWING TO PARK NEXT TO HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE. SUDDENLY, I NOTICED THE ENGINE RPM'S ACCELERATING RAPIDLY. I TRIED TO SHIFT AUTO IN TO PARK POSITION AS THE AUTO JUMPED CEMENT ABUTMENTS STOPS, VEERED RIGHT (NORTH) DOWN SIDEWALK KNOCKING DOWN SMALL TREE IN LANDSCAPED AREA, VEERED TOWARDS DRIVERS SIDE OF RED JEEP WAGON, CORRECTED TOWARDS WALKWAY (WEST) AND SWIPED DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BUMPER OF RED JEEP. TOYOTA CAME TO STOP AFTER HITTING AND BECOMING IMPALED ON TOP OF STAIRWELL WALLS IN FRONT OF JEEP. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO CHAPMAN MEDICAL CENTER IN ORANGE CA BY SETH RING SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER FOR TOLL BROTHERS AND WAS CHECKED FOR MUSCLE STRAIN LEFT FOREARM OVER ALL O.K. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SKID MARKS NOTED DOWN SIDEWALK FROM PARKING SPACE TO STOPPING POINT AT STAIRWELL. AWAITING CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT. *TR UPDATED 05/28/10 UPDATED 07/12/10*JB
Structure, Equipment, Aug 7, 2009
REAR SPEAKER GRILL COVERS DISINTEGRATED AND CRUMBLED AS A RESULT OF SUN EXPOSURE. THE WEB DISCUSSION GROUPS SHOWS THIS HAPPENING TO ALL CAMRYS. *TR
Steering, Aug 6, 2009
STEERING LOOSE WHEN MOVING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH SLOWLY. HARDLY NOTICED AT FIRST. I DROVE THE CAR TODAY. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. STEERING WAS MORE LOOSE AND THE WHEELS ALSO VIBRATED ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 60MPH. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND LOTS OF INFORMATION, SEE LINK: YES, SEARCH THIS FORUM FOR "STEERING NOISE" AND YOU'LL FIND A FEW THREADS. THIS IS WHERE THEY NAILED IT: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/SH...=155639&PAGE=2. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 22, 2009
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY AND IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. *TR
Visibility, Jul 7, 2009
I AM THE AUTHOR OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10253724, RELATING TO SUN GLARE ON MY 2004 SOLARA. ABOUT 5,000 MILES AGO I PURCHASED BLACK FELT FROM A LOCAL FABRIC STORE AND COVERED THE TOP PORTION OF THE DASH BOARD, WHERE THE SUN HITS, USING DOUBLE SIDED TAPE. IT IS NOW LIKE LOOKING THROUGH NEW GLASS. THERE IS NO MORE GLARE, EVEN NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER. I STILL BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE SOME TYPE OF DASH COVER AVAILABLE, THOUGH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2009
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET IT SERVICED THE VEHICLE STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND WITH IN A DAY STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN IDLING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF THE FIRST TIME AND SOMEONE ALMOST REAR ENDED ME. WHEN MY CAR CUT OFF IT DECELERATED SO FAST THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED TO AVOID ME AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING CONSTANTLY AND MY CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. I HAVE HAD DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON IT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND WE ARE TRYING TO LOCATE THE PART. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE THROTTLE BODY, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON TOYOTA CAMRYS' WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, May 28, 2009
2004 CAMRY 4-CYL. FAILS TO ACCELERATE (DELAY OF ABOUT 1 SECOND) WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, IN THIS SITUATION: YOU HAVE EITHER JUST ROUNDED A CORNER AT SLOW SPEED, OR YOU HAVE STARTED TO MOVE FROM STOP, GAINED SPEED TO ABOUT 10MPH, THEN ENGINE REVS UP TO AROUND 3000 RPM, BUT DOES NOT DELIVER POWER TO WHEELS. DANGER OF GETTING HIT BECAUSE YOUR CAR DOES NOT MOVE QUICKLY ENOUGH THROUGH A TRAFFIC SITUATION THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY PROGRESS THROUGH FASTER. YOU MIGHT ALSO BE PREVENTED FROM AVERTING A CRASH SITUATION DUE TO LACK OF ACCELERATION. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT CAN OCCUR 1-3 TIMES IN A DAY, OR POSSIBLY NOT AT ALL, BUT IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST 10,000 MILES NOW. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS JUST THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION WORKS. BUT IT CAN LEAD TO INJURY DUE TO CRASHING. DEALER CLAIMED THAT FOR SOME YEARS/LOTS OF VEHICLES, THERE WAS A SERVICE PERFORMED TO RE-PROGRAM AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. BUT HE ALSO SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD TEND TO COME BACK AFTER THE SERVICE WAS APPLIED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE INJURIES OCCUR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 26, 2009
I DRIVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH IT UNTIL I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND IT JUST SUDDENLY STALLED ON ME. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND WAS NEARLY RAMMED IN THE BACK. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR. I THEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE EXACT SAME THING AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1300. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 CAMRY. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS NEARLY KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLING ON ME WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 23, 2009
2004 CAMRY VIN EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SURGING) AFTER APPLYING BRAKE TO COME TO FULL STOP. I EXAMINED THE POSITION OF MY FEET AFTER STOPPING, AND TURNING OFF IGNITION TO CANCEL SURGING. LEFT FOOT WAS ON FOOTREST IN DRIVER FOOTWELL. RIGHT FOOT WAS ON BRAKE. THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. MILEAGE WAS 45960. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED YET. I WILL CONTACT A DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A RECALL. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS HAVE LED TO "NO DIAGNOSIS" BY DEALERSHIPS. *TR
Wheels, May 11, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL BALANCING LEAD WEIGHT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALUMINUM ALLOY RIMS. THE WEIGHT DETACHED FROM THE RIM AND BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER AND THE WHEEL. THE DEALER RE-BALANCED THE WHEEL. IF THE WEIGHT HAD ENTERED INTO THE CALIPER, THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 05\19\09 *BF THE BALANCING WEIGHTS THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL HAD COME OFF. IT WEDGED ITSELF BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND THE WHEEL. UPDATED 05/20/09.*JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 3, 2009
THROTTLE BODY FAILURE ON A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY, FOUR CYLINDER AUTOMATIC WITH ABOUT 62,000 MILES. ENGINE SHUTSDOWN WHEN FOOT LIFTED FROM ACCELERATOR, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES DID NOT WORK. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE STEERING AND BRAKING BOTH BECAME VERY DIFFICULT IN TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. REPORTEDLY (ON INTERNET WEB SITES) THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MANY TOYOTA CAMRY'S ,MANUFACTURED FROM 2002 TO 2006. DEALER SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE LAST THROTTLE BODY AVAILABLE IN HOUSTON WHICH MIGHT INDICATE THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. *TR
Fuel system, Other, May 1, 2009
2004 V6 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 60,911 MILES: TOTAL LOSS OF POWER UPON ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND GASKET FOR $1176.12. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS FOR A CAR WITH THIS MILEAGE AND ALL TOYOTA PERSONNEL I DEALT WITH STATED IT WAS EXTREMELY RARE. RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THERE ARE MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Apr 24, 2009
I RECENTLY HAD TO PUSH MY CAR ALONG A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR BECAUSE IT BROKE DOWN. I BOUGHT THE 2004 CAMRY BECAUSE I BELIEVED IT TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST AND DEPENDABLE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD... SAFE, WAS NOT ONE OF THE WORDS I USED AS HUNDREDS OF CARS RUSHED BY ME AT 70 MILES PER HOUR WHILE I PUSHED MY CAR ACROSS THE HIGHWAY! WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA AND TOLD THEM MY PROBLEM, THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK TO GET MY CAR. TWO HOURS LATER THE TOE TRUCK ARRIVES. ANOTHER TWO HOURS GOES BY AND I GET A PHONE CALL FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T CLEAN MY THROTTLE BODY REGULARLY, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED... THEY SAID THAT THEY "HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN 25 YEARS.." WHICH AFTER I DID A BIT OF RESEARCH, I KNEW WAS A LIE. BEING AS, I FOUND HUNDREDS OF BLOGS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE. BUT I FIGURED THE MECHANICS WERE TRYING TO SCARE ME SO I WOULD PAY THE OUTRAGEOUS PRICE FOR THE NEW PART. THE SERVICE MANAGER, JASON, TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS SO DIRTY HE COULD HARDLY GET IT OPEN AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY! AFTER I PAID THE $250 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND THE TOE, (WHICH I WAS TOLD WOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP) I TOWED THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE WHERE I WAS GOING TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY MYSELF. WHEN I GOT IT OUT IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES (THE SERVICE ENGINEER DESPERATELY TRIED TO CONVINCE ME TO LEAVE IT WITH HIM BECAUSE IT WAS AND I QUOTE "A HUGE PAIN IN THE ASS FOR SOMEONE WITHOUT MY EXPERIENCE") I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY OUT AND HAD MY CLEANER IN HAND, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM VERY DIRTY. I WAS PUZZLED, BECAUSE THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS TO GRIMY TO EVEN OPEN UP?? AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO CLEAN IT. I HAD BEEN LIED TO. (SHOCKER... A MECHANIC LIED TO SOMEONE TO SELL AN EXPENSIVE PART!) I READ IN MY CHELTONS MANUAL HOW TO CLEAN AND REASSEMBLE THE PART AND DID SO. ONLY... THE PART STILL DID NOT SEEM TO WORK RIGHT. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERNAL, AND NOT EXTERNAL. IT IS A FAULTY PART. *TR