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.
Equipment, Apr 17, 2009
TOYOTA 2004 REAR SPEAKER CRUMBLES, DEFECTIVE. *TR
Air bags, Apr 13, 2009, crash
THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK DURING THE AUTO CRASH. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Tires, Apr 7, 2009
MY WIFE UNKNOWINGLY DROVE ON A FLAT TIRE. AFTER I COLLECTED HER AND THE CAR, I TOOK THE TIRE TO SEARS AND THEY SAID THE VALVE STEM FAILED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACE BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. MONTHS LATER, SHE HAD A NAIL IN A TIRE SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SEARS. THEY PATCHED IT, AND A WEEK OR SO LATER IT WAS FLAT AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT IN, I NOTICED ANOTHER TIRE WAS FLAT AND THAT HAD A BAD VALVE STEM. SO, NOW 3 OF THE ORIGINAL VALVE STEMS HAD BEEN REPLACED. LAST NIGHT, SHE HAD ANOTHER FLAT TIRE, I CHANGED IT, AND IT WAS THE REMAINING VALVE STEM. I BOUGHT THE TIRES AT SEARS AND COMPLAINED AFTER THE SECOND VALVE STEM THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE MANAGER SAID THAT MY WIFE MUST BE DRIVING UP ON CURBS. I CHECKED THE DATES AND THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RECALL PERIOD. SEARS IS NOT HANDLING THIS PROBLEM WELL--THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WITH DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. I DID NOT KNOW OFFICIALLY THAT THERE WAS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM UNTIL I RETURNED FROM SEARS THIS MORNING AND DID SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LIGHTLY AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A VERBAL APOLOGY, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 03-30-09 *BF UPDATED 03/31/09*JB
Air bags, Feb 11, 2009
SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : 00905 1. NO SPECIFIC LEAD TO THIS FAILURE. DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES ACROSS THE INTERNET, I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT RELATING TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. 2. PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILURE, PLACES PASSENGER AT RISK DUE TO FAILING AIRBAG ECU. 3. PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED IN THE AMOUNT OF $700-1000. NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10019153 SUMMARY: OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM: DTC B1785. THE SRS AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 10, 2009
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 1/29/09 AFTER CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS. UPON STARTING THE CAR, I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR DOWN, BUT DID NOT GET ANY RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WARMED UP. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED. ACCELERATOR WAS NOW WORKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CHECK THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE. THE CODE READ THAT THE THROTTLE BODY COULD BE FAILING. I STARTED DRIVING TOWARDS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. A FEW DAYS WENT BY WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE NEXT TIME IT FAILED, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN ROAD AND HAD TO COAST TO A SIDE STREET. CAR DID NOT STALL, BUT WOULD ONLY IDLE. AGAIN NO RESPONSE WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY FOR OVER $1000 FOR A NEW PART. THEY GAVE ME THE OPTION TO REPLACE THE PART USED FOR $150. I DON'T WANT THIS PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN A YEAR FROM NOW, SO I OPTED TO GO WITH THE NEW PART. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, THIS PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE WIDESPREAD THAN TOYOTA WILL ADMIT. IT IS A CLEAR DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT CAUSING MAJOR INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 ACCOUNTS OF THIS OCCURRING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, AND THE RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA APPEARS TO BE THE SAME IN ALL INSTANCES. *TR
Air bags, Jan 28, 2009, crash
I HIT A DEER BETWEEN 55 AND 65MPH. I STRUCK THE ANIMAL WITH THE LEFT FRONT, IN THE HEADLIGHT AREA. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. THE CAR WAS A 2004 CAMRY. I AM THANKFUL THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF, BUT WONDERING -WHY NOT. OVER $3600 IN DAMAGES. THANK YOU FOR ANY INFO YOU CAN GIVE ME. *TR
Power train, Jan 24, 2009
MY CAR IS TOYOTA 2004 CAMRY SHOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT I DIDN'T PASS THE AIR CARE EMISSION TEST,SO THEY SAY IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM THEY SAY IS A FEDERAL ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 20, 2009, crash
WHILE STOPPED AT A FULL STOP SIGN ANOTHER CAR REARENDED ME DOING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR, PUSHING ME INTO THE CROSS STREET WHERE MY AUTO HIT A STOP SIGN AND POLE TOTALING THE AUTO WITH DAMAGE TO THE REAR,COMPLETE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT OF THE AUTO. HITTING THE STOP SIGN AND POLE AT ABOUT 55 MPH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURY AND BEING TAKEN TO THE TRAUMA CENTER AT UCD MEDICAL CENTER. *TR
Steering, Jan 5, 2009
THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED ON MY 2004 CAMRY. A LITTLE BROWSING OF THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAMRY MODEL. MY DEALER IN COVINGTON, LA HAS SAID THAT ABOUT 1 IN 8 CAMRY'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BUT WOULD NOT OFFER TO HELD REPAIR MY VEHICLE SINCE ONLY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY REMAINS. A CALL TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE YIELDED THE SAME RESULTS. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND THE DEALER (NORTHSHORE TOYOTA IN COVINGTON, LA) HAS TOLD ME MY STEERING BEARINGS ARE "SHOT." THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED TO MY DEALER AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. *TR
Visibility, Jan 4, 2009
ADDITIONAL INFO REGARDING ODI CASE NUMBER: 10142658, SUN GLARE ON 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE REFLECTION OF SHEEN ON THE DASHBOARD BACK ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, MUCH LIKE A PROJECTION SCREEN. IN CERTAIN CASES I HAVE "LOST" OTHER VEHICLES IN THE GLARE. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED I PURCHASE A DASHBOARD COVER. IT SEEMS TOYOTA SHOULD COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF FIX, NOT AFTERMARKET VENDORS AND NOT AT MY EXPENSE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM ON SUNNY DAYS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 1, 2009
DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT OPERATE. CANNOT BE OPENED/CLOSED MANUALLY, WITH KEY, OR REMOTE. DEALER STATES IT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE TO OCCUR BUT OFFERED NO FINANCIAL RELIEF. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER TO REPLACE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR (APPROX COST $600). *TR
Steering, Dec 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOLLOWED BY A SHAKING SENSATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,944 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 24, 2008
ABS SYSTEM COMPUTER FAILED. NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL 95,000 MILE SERVICE VISIT WHEN COMPLAINT RAISED TO DEALER OF BRAKE NOISE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 11, 2008
ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 9,2008 I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-95 WHEN MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SURGE IN SPEED, AS I WAS ABLE TO CAUTIOUSLY GET OVER IN THE MEDIAN LANE WHEN IT THEN SHUT OFF, I WAS ABLE TO CRANK IT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM BUT AS SOON AS I ACCELERATED IT SLOWED DOWN AND I THEN TURNED IT OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AN TURNED IT BACK ON WITH NO PROBLEM. SINCE I WAS CLOSE TO MY EXIT AND LIPTON TOYOTAS DEALERSHIP WAS RIGHT THERE I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET CHECKED OUT, WELL MUCH TO MY SURPRISE I AM IN NEED OF A THROTTLE BODY A $931.17 PART AND $13.?? GASKET ALONG WITH $85.00 PER HOUR SERVICE FEE. NOW EVEN THOUGH MY FACTORY WARRANTY ENDED ON THE 4 OF THIS MONTH, THIS VIABLE COMPONENT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ABOUT 42,500 MILES ON MY CAR AND I DON'T DRIVE IT EVERYDAY. I AM VERY ANGRY THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE A PART THAT IS SO COSTLY IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, TOYOTA IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE BEST CARS ON THE ROAD BUT AT THIS POINT I FEEL LIKE I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST ONE IT IS MY 3RD ONE PURCHASED BRAND NEW, AND MY CONCERN IS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER HAVING A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. SO I WANT TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS AS A DEFECTIVE PART ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED TOYOTAS CORPORATE OFFICE I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE WHO SEEMED AS IF SHE HAD AN ATTITUDE LIKE I HAVE SOME NERVE TO CALL AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR TOP NOTCH VEHICLES. I WAS READING SOME BLOGS ABOUT "04 CAMRY THROTTLE BODY FAILURE" ON WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/TOYOTA-CAMRY/TM6GC5T4DHVFS52CS I THINK THAT YOU WILL SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE, PLEASE CHECK THE SITE. I DON'T THINK ANYONE KNOWS MUCH ABOUT YOUR SITE AND THAT THEY SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU AND ATLEAST GET THE MATTER AT HAND LOOKED IN TO. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY AND JUST NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO EXCEPT PAY FOR IT, IF THE CAN AFFORD IT. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 6, 2008
2002-2005 TOYOTA THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY FAILURE. FAILS AT VARIOUS MILEAGE. NO WARNING - JUST DIES. NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. ONE DEALER ADMITS THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE AND HAVE REDESIGNED PART. TOPIX.COM HAS BLOG REPORTS MANY INSTANCES, BUT NOT RECALL OR CAMPAIGNS. REPAIR IS $1K-$1.5K. OWNERS FEEL THIS TO BE A RECALL ITEM AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. PLEASE HELP. CORPORATE OFFICE IS NO HELP AND WILL NOT REPORT ANY WEB MATERIAL - WILL ONLY MOTOR PHONE CALLS. PLEASE HELP. IF THIS PART FAILS ON HIGHWAY COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENT OR WORSE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 8, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB AND A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
Equipment, Aug 19, 2008
SUN ROT OF TOYOTA CAMRY REAR SPEAKER COVERS. THE WEB DISCUSSION GROUPS SHOWS THIS HAPPENING TO ALL CAMRYS. *TR
Equipment, Aug 13, 2008
REAR SPEAKER GRILL COVERS DISINTIGRATED AND CRUMBLED AS A RESULT OF SUN EXPOSURE. *TR
Tires, Aug 5, 2008
TWO TIRES WENT FLAT FOR FAULTY VALVES. *TR
Steering, Jul 27, 2008
THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SOUND COMES WHEN THE STEERING TURNS RIGHT OR LEFT. IT STARTED AT AROUND 30K MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Visibility, Jun 30, 2008
IF YOU TRY TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN (DRIVER'S WINDOW), IT COMES OFF TRACK - NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, JUST HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO LET IT DOWN. *TR
Visibility, Jun 22, 2008
MALFUNCTION OF MY SUNROOF IN MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SE. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED COMMON PROBLEM... *TR
Air bags, Jun 16, 2008, crash
2004 TOYOTA SOLARA DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT THIS WAS A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM FREMONT TOYOTA OF FREMONT CALIFORNIA. FOUND OUT LATER THAT NO SIDE AIRBAGS OF THAT YEAR OR ANY NEW TOYOTA ARE RATED. *TR
Structure, Jun 14, 2008
PROBLEMS WITH THE SUNROOF. CABLES BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY, ROOF IS NOT ABLE TO BE SECURED. VEHICLE IS AND HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE NEW. DEALER SAID THE ENTIRE PULLEY SYSTEM BROKE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. THERE WAS A BULLETIN IN 2003. IT HAS TAKEN ME A WHILE TO FIND THIS SITE TO REPORT. *TR