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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 4, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF INCHES BEFORE THE BRAKES MADE HARD CONTACT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOISES, OR LEAKING FLUID PRESENT. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES, HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY 3-6 MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47,000. UPDATED 01/02/08.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS BEFORE IT STARTS SLOWING DOWN. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED IF THE BACK BRAKES ARE TIGHTLY ADJUSTED THEN THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM THE DEFECT IS CALLED SOFT BRAKES. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 29, 2007, crash
CRASH ON 8/4/07. NEITHER OF OUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OR SHOULDER STRAPS ON THE SEAT BELT WORKED. WE WERE STOPPED FOR A VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A PICK-UP WAITING IN FRONT OF US. A DRIVER FAILED TO STOP AND REAR-ENDED US. MY HUSBAND'S HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. WE BOTH SUFFERED INJURIES, THAT WE ARE STILL BEING TREATED FOR. *JB
Suspension, Aug 29, 2007, crash
MY HUSBAND AND I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2004 SOLARA. AT FIRST EVERYTHING WAS GOOD THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NEVER TURN OFF. THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR LIKE 4 MONTHS NOW. THE BIG INCIDENT/PROBLEM IS I WAS DRIVING 10MPH AND THE CAR STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT BUT IT WOULD NOT CORRECT. SO I SLOWLY PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. WHAT FINALLY STOPPED ME WAS THE WHEEL FELL OFF. YES THE WHEEL FELL OFF. AND DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WHEEL FELL OFF I ENDED UP SIDESWIPING 2 CARS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. WHEN THE POLICE GOT THERE THEY SAID IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND THAT THE TIRE ROD HAD SNAPPED WAY BEFORE I SIDESWIPED THE FIRST CAR CAUSE HE FOUND A SNAPPED BOLT AND PARTS 3 FEET AWAY FROM THE FIRST VEHICLE. THEN HE TOLD ME THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO SOMEONE ELSE A FEW DAYS AGO AND THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE. I HAD 3 BABIES IN THE CAR RANGING IN AGE FROM 2 1/2 TO 6 WEEKS OLD. I AM VERY UNHAPPY CAUSE THE CAR IS TOTALED AND IT WAS NOT EVEN MY FAULT. THE ACCIDENT REPORT WAS MADE OUT AND IN IT IT SAYS IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY SO I WAS NOT SPEEDING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. I JUST THINK ABOUT IT NOW AND THANK GOD IT HAPPENED IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND NOT ON THE STREET FOR IF IT HAD I WOULD PROBABLY RAN INTO THE GAS STATION RIGHT OUTSIDE OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I FEEL THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND THAT THE TIRE RODS AND SUSPENSION SHOULD BE CHECKED REGULARLY . THE SAD PART IS IT HAD JUST GONE IN FOR SERVICING ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I JUST WISH I HAD KNOWN THIS CAR DOES THAT AND THAT IT HAD AS MANY PROBLEMS AS IT DID BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. I FEEL SINCE IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND NOT ME BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MY DOING IT WAS THE CARS.SEEING AS HOW IT JUST HAPPENED I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WILL BE FIXED.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 20, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE LEAVING FROM A CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE SURGED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT BUMPER HAD TO BE REPLACED AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED A LIGHT BODY SIZE MOLDING. THE POWERTRAIN, SPEED, VALID VIN, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,980 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,346.
Air bags, Aug 16, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR THE DEALER WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,016.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 9, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A PARKED CAR. SHE ALSO RAN OVER THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF THE SHOPPING CENTER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. SHE FELT THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000 MILES. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Seats, Jul 23, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT ROLLS FORWARD AUTOMATICALLY. SHE FEELS THE PRESSURE ON HER LEGS BECAUSE THE SEAT MOVES UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT IS UNSURE OF HOW TO STOP THE FAILURE. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IS SCARED TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR THAT HER LEGS MAY GET STUCK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 30,847 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,837.
Steering, Jul 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OR GREATER, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP. THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS CHECKED AND APPEARED TO BE FINE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 7,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 26, 2007
I OWN A TOYOTA CAMRY 2004, AND JUST BOUGHT TOYOTA CAMRY 2007. CAMRY 2004 WORKED FINE IN THE BEGINNING, BUT SINCE LAST YEAR THE BRAKES FELT TOO SOFT. I TOOK IT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES, BUT THEY ALWAYS SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL. BUT I DROVE IT EVERYDAY, SO I KNOW THAT IT WAS NOT NORMAL. I COULD NOT GO ABOVE 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT DEPEND ON THE BRAKES, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER. I GOT LUCKY AND AVOIDED ACCIDENTS ALMOST 10 TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS BRAKES. IT JUST WON'T WORK ON TIME. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS CAR. SO WHEN TIME CAME FOR ME TO BUY THE NEW CAR, I WENT TO TOYOTA AND TRIED OUT NEW 2007 CAMRY AND BOUGHT IT. I BOUGHT 2007 CAMRY ONLY BECAUSE I LIKED THE BRAKES. I EVEN TOLD THE STAFF OF THE DEALERSHIP THE SAME THING TOO. BUT WITHIN IN FEW WEEKS I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE BRAKES STARTED BECOMING SOFT. I NEEDED TO KNOW HOW COULD THIS BE FIXED. 2007 CAMRY WHICH I STILL DRIVE ISN'T AS BAD AS 2004. BUT I CAN'T SAY IT FOR SURE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN IN FUTURE. HOW CAN I HAVE THIS BRAKES FIXED? THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM. IT IS NOT NORMAL , THEY SAY IT IS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2007
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSTIC REPORT SHOWED A FAILURE CODE OF P0136 OXYGEN SENSOR MALFUNCTION. DEALER ADVISED THAT SENSOR SHOULD BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $230.00. IF PART WAS NOT REPLACED THE ENGINE OR EMISSIONS SYSTEM COULD BE DAMAGED, AND THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO POSSIBLE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2007
I AM WRITING DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT HAS BEEN ON FOR AT LEAST THE LAST YEAR. IT WAS A 4 CYLINDER, BUT ONE WOULDN'T KNOW IT BY DRIVING THE VEHICLE, NOT AT FIRST ANYWAY. I PURCHASED IT IN JULY 2005. SINCE THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE SLUGGISH. I DIDN'T T KNOW WHY THIS LIGHT WAS ON, AND WAS WONDERING IF THE ENGINE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT BEING SLUGGISH. ALSO, WAS LEAKING RIGHT WHERE THE ENGINE WAS. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A CAMRY, AND TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINES IN CAMRYS WERE RECALLED. HERS WAS ONE OF THEM. I DIDN'T KNOW WHY THE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT I WANT TO SEE IF THE ENGINE WAS ONE OF THOSE RECALLED. ALSO ,THE BRAKES WENT DOWN FURTHER THAN ANY OTHER CAR THAT I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. I TOOK THE BRAKES TO GET THEM CHECKED, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE FINE. TOO ME, IT JUST DID NOT SEEM NORMAL. BUT THEN, THIS CAMRY WAS THE ONLY CAMRY THAT I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. I DID NOT KNOW THAT EXACT DATE THAT THE LIGHT CAME ON SO THE BELOW DATE WAS AN APPROXIMATE DATE. TO CONTACT ME PLEASE USE MY EMAIL ADDRESS. THANK YOU. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 17, 2007
THE 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA V6 HAD CONSISTENT BRAKE FAILURE. A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BLED BRAKES, CHECKED PRESSURE ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER 'S SPECS AND CHECKED OUT CORRECTLY. -EXHAUSTED POSSIBILITIES FOR REASONS FOR SPORADIC BRAKE FAILURE. ONLINE RESEARCH DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. NO SOLUTION POSTED TO DATE. CONCERN REGARDING CONTINUING SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO UNEXPECTED FAILURE, AND LOW PEDAL INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE. *AK
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2007
WHAT AUTO MANUFACTURER HAS MORE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS THAN ALL THE OTHER AUTO MANUFACTURERS? *JB
Steering, Apr 23, 2007
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING COLUMN AND MAKE NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS JUST A NOISE BUT WOULD REPLACE LOWER COLUMN AT A COST OF $463.65. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE IN WHICH THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER IS AWARE. THIS IN MY HUMBLE OPINION SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM PAID FOR BY TOYOTA. THIS IS MY FOURTH TOYOTA AND I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS BEGINNING AT 39,000. NOISE WAS SMALLER AND ONLY NOTICED ON LEFT TURNS AT FIRST NOW MUCH LOUDER AND OCCURS ON LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2007
MIL "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON MORNING OF FRIDAY MARCH 30, 1997. CAR PERFORMED NORMAL FOR MOST OF DAY (35 MILES) UPON START THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR. SUBSEQUENT RESTARTS VARY FROM NO RESPONSE TO SUDDEN SURGE OF ACCELERATION TO VERY LOW POWER AND STALLS. *JB
Steering, Mar 31, 2007
SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED A NEW 2004 CAMRY SEDAN, WE BEGAN NOTICING LOOSENESS, RATTLING, KNOCKING SOUNDS AND "PLAY" IN THE STEERING CHARACTERISTICS. IN ADDITION, IN SLOW, TIGHT-RADIUS TURNS (AS IN PARKING LOTS), IT ALMOST FELT AS IF THE FRONT TIRES WOULD SLIDE LATERALLY OVER SLICK SURFACES -- SNOW, ICE, LOOSE GRAVEL, WET PAVEMENT. THE PROBLEM WAS SUBTLE AT FIRST BUT BECAME GRADUALLY MORE NOTICEABLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THERE WAS A BARELY-PERCEPTIBLE OSCILLATION OR VIBRATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL. AT ABOUT 28K MILES WE NOTICED A PULLING TO THE RIGHT. WE ASKED FOR AN ALIGNMENT TO BE DONE AND THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE KNOCKING, RATTLING, LOOSENESS, PLAY, LATERAL SKIDDING IN TIGHT-RADIUS TURNS BECAME WORSE OVER TIME AND AT ABOUT 50K MILES WE ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK AGAIN. DEALERS SERVICE ORDER STATED, "TSB ST001-06 APPLIES TO THIS CONCERN. AN UPDATED STEERING SHAFT ORDERED." THE COST TO REPAIR WAS OVER $400. WE BELIEVE THIS DEFECT EXISTED FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED, AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM SOUNDS SIMILAR TO RECALLS OR DEFECTS I HAVE RESEARCHED THAT AFFECT THE PRIUS, AVALON, AND OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. WE BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *JB
Steering, Mar 28, 2007
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH ONLY 19,993 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE. REFER TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ST001-06. I HEARD CLANKING AND POPPING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING FELT LOOSE AND SLOPPY. AFTER READING THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN I BELIEVED TOYOTA DISCOVERED THE FAULTY PART IN PRODUCTION AND EVENTUALLY CHANGED TO A NEW PART. I WAS DISAPPOINTED TOYOTA CHARGED ME FOR LABOR TO FIX A PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE PART AND REPLACED IT FOR FREE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 22, 2007
BRAKE LINES FAILED CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKES
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2007, crash
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE COMING OUT OF THE CAR WASH AND SWITCHING THE POSITION GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 50 MPH FOR ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, BUT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 26,190.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO PERFORMANCE AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VEER TO THE RIGHT. PERFORMANCE DODGE PICKED UP VEHICLE FOR A 2ND REPAIR AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A DAMP MOUNT ON RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO CONSUMER ON 4/27/07 BUT CONSUMER IS STILL FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/13/07*TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 20, 2007
WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON US75 IN FLORIDA THE LEATHER COVER (KNOWN AS TONNEAU OR BOOT) THAT COVERS THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WHEN IT IS IN THE DOWN POSITION JUST FLEW OFF THE CAR. I WATCHED IT GO UNDER A TRACTOR TRAILER AND THE CAR BEHIND THE TRAILER HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID IT ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I GOT OFF THE NEXT EXIT AND WENT BACK TO RECOVER IT BUT IT WAS GONE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN DRAGGED AWAY UNDER A TRACTOR TRAILER. PRIOR TO THIS I INSPECTED THE COVER ATTACHMENT EACH TIME I STOPPED FOR GAS OR FOOD BECAUSE AT TIMES I DID SEE IT FLUTTER WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND FELT UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT IT. THE LEATHER COVER IS HELD IN PLACE BY U SHAPED HOOKS THAT CAN EASILY COME OFF WHEN PRESSURE IS EXERTED ON THE COVER. ON VERY WINDY DAYS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE COVER FLUTTERS AND CAN AND DID COME OFF THE CAR. THE COVER IS A LARGE OBJECT ABOUT 4 FT. BY 2 FT. AND WHEN IT BECOMES AIRBORNE IT CAN AND ALMOST DID CAUSE A SERIOUS AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. I WAS RECENTLY IN A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND SAW THAT THE NEW SOLARA CONVERTIBLE NOW HAS SAFETY STRAPS ATTACHED TO THE COVER. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA REALIZED THE VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT EXISTED. THIS REALIZATION MAY HAVE BEEN PROMPTED BY SOLARA CONVERTIBLE OWNERS REPORTING INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO MINE. UNFORTUNATELY THE COVER ON ALL TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLES PRIOR TO THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAN STILL UNINTENTIONALLY COME OFF AND CAUSE VERY SERIOUS AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENTS. TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE AND WILL PROBABLY TRY TO AVOID IT DUE TO THE COST INVOLVED TO CORRECT THE VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I REQUEST THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OR THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY DEEM THIS A RECALL CONDITION AND COMPEL TOYOTA TO CORRECT THIS VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *NM
Steering, Feb 16, 2007
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS**CC *JB
Equipment, Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2007
THIS INCIDENT INVOLVES CHANGING A FLAT TIRE (FRONT PASSENGER SIDE) ON MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE A TIRE SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2004. I LOOSENED THE LUG NUTS SLIGHTLY AND THEN PLACED THE JACK UNDER THE CAR AS INDICATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. AS I STARTED TO RAISE THE CAR, I NOTICED THAT THE JACK WAS TWISTING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. I THEN LOWERED THE VEHICLE, REPOSITIONED THE JACK AND TRIED AGAIN. THE JACK APPEARED TO BE SLIGHTLY TWISTED BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE FIRST ATTEMPT. I REMOVED THE LUG NUTS AND TOOK OFF THE FLAT TIRE. AT THIS TIME THE JACK FELL OVER AND THE CAR CAME TO REST ON THE WHEEL ROTOR. THE CAR WAS ON LEVEL GROUND DURING THIS INCIDENT. MY FEELING IS THAT THIS JACK IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY DESIGNED TO LIFT A VEHICLE OF THIS WEIGHT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES. *JB
Visibility, Feb 5, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT HAD A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER TURNED OFF/FAILED WHEN WATER SPLASHED ONTO THE VEHICLE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS AT 35 MPH. . THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP AND SHE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO SEE. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAW THAT THE DEFROSTER LIGHT AND THE AIR RECIRCULATION LIGHT WERE FLASHING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE DEFROSTER STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SPLASHED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007 -THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS HER FAULT. *NM
Seats, Feb 4, 2007
2004 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE DESIGN FLAW. REAR SEAT BACKS ARE TOO HIGH AND BLOCK VISION OUT OF REAR WINDOW. VERY DIFFICULT WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP OR CHANGE LANES. 2007 MODEL YEAR HAS REDESIGNED THE BACK SEATS TO ALLOW GREATER VISION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2007
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY - THE FRONT BREAKS WITH ABS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE HAS SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE BREAKS HAVE FAILED TO STOP THE CAR ON SNOW - THE ABS SYSTEM PULSATES TOO FAST. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A DRY ROAD AT A TURN AS WELL. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - TRY TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE GET'S KILLED. *NM