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, Apr 20, 2005
VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A SURGE IN ACCELERATION. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED HARD. *JB
Fuel system, Other, Vehicle speed control, Apr 7, 2005, crash
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE PARKING SPACE MY 2004 CAMERY V6 WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED CAR CAR ACCELERATED WITH VERY HIGH RPM. COULD NOT STOP THE CAR HITTING A GMC TRUCK. WHEN CAR COULD NOT MOVE THE TRUCK IT STOPPED.DROVE HOME WITH NO PROBLEM. CALLED DEALER THEY STATED IF THE CAR WAS NOT HAVING THE PROBLEM NOW THEY COULDN'T FIX IT . AFTER DRIVING IT MY HUSBAND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DIDN'T WANT THE CAR BACK UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. RETURNED CAR AFTER STATING THEY WOULD START FILE . *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 2005
THE VEHICLE TENDS TO HESITATE AND NOT ACCELERATE WHILE PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE ON THE ROAD. OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *JB *NM
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 29, 2005
AT 630 MILES THE ODOMETER FAILED. WHICH READ 56 MILES UPON PURCHASE. THE SPEEDOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL, AND THE ODOMETER OPERATED UNDER ONE MODULE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE MODULE FAILED AGAIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE VEHICLE IN CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL SURGE FORWARD AT AN ALARMING RATE OF SPEED. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 25, 2005
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DRIVER WOULD STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGAN TO HESITATE. THEN, THE SPEED WOULD CONTINUE TO DECREASE EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PUSHED DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A MONTH. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Steering, Mar 19, 2005
VEHICLE HAS PULLED LEFT EVER SINCE THE TIRES WERE ROTATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. I'VE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, WITH THEM SHOWING ME THAT THE ALIGNMENT FALLS WITHIN SPECS, AND ATTRIBUTING THE PULL TO ROAD CROWN. I JUST HAD MY 30K MILE SERVICE, AND THEY CALLED TO LET ME KNOW THAT MY TIRES ARE WEARING UNEVENLY BECAUSE OF ALIGNMENT ISSUES. I PAID TO HAVE IT ALIGNED AGAIN AND REMINDED THEM ABOUT MY PROBLEMS THE LAST TIME (PLEASE NOTE THAT MY TIRES ARE SUPPOSEDLY ROTATED EACH TIME THE DEALER PERFORMS AN OIL CHANGE). I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT STILL PULLED TO THE LEFT. I AM GOING BACK THERE TODAY TO HAVE THEM ROAD TEST IT WITH ME AGAIN, ON THE PHONE THE TECH AGAIN ATTRIBUTED IT TO ROAD CROWN WHICH I DENIED, BUT I'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT A DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER WON'T REPAIR KNOWN ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES.*AK
Power train, Mar 13, 2005
SEVERE HESITATION ON ACCELLERATION. THE CAR REMINDS ME OF A 1970'S VOLKSWAGEN I HAD THAT WOULD STALL WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IT CAN BE SCARY ACCELERATING ACROSS AN INTERCECTION WITH CARS COMING OR PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE UNPREDICTABILITY.*AK
Air bags, Mar 11, 2005, crash
ON 2/17/05 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH @50MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. A DODGE RAM P/U TRUCK TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AT AN INTERSECTION. I RAN INTO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK GOING AT LEAST 35 MPH. THE POINT OF CONTACT WAS A FULL FRONTAL IMPACT THAT RESULTED IN AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE THAT WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDIENT. POLICE REPORT LISTED THE VEHICLE AS TOTALED. THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT LEFT AIRBAG SENSOR LOCATED ON THE FRAME WAS SHEARED FROM THE WIRING ASSEMBLY. I WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE ACCIDENT IN AN AMBULANCE. MY MOUTH AND THEN MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. MY HEAD ALSO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE IMPACT RESULTED IN A BROKEN TOOTH THAT WAS IMBEDDED IN MY CHIN, A LACERATION ON MY CHIN THAT REQUIRED STITCHES, HEAD, ARM, AND LEG ABRASIONS IN ADDITION TO PULLED MUSCLES IN MY NECK AND BACK THAT STILL REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. *AK
Tires, Mar 4, 2005
I HAVE A NEW 2004 CAMRY 4 CYL. LE SEDAN WITH 5500 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL BIRDGESTONE TIRES. THESE TIRES HAVE VERY POOR TRACTION ON RAINY ROADS AND WITH EVEN LIGHT SNOW YOU CAN SLIDE EASLY AT 3 MPH AS WE DID. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE MARKET. SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR PUTTING SUCH SUB-STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THEIR CARS. ADVERTISEMENT SAYS THESE TIRES ARE ALL SEASON TIRES, BRIDGESTONE SUGGESTED I PAY FOR UPGRADED TIRES. I SAY WHAY SHOULD I PAY FOR PROPRER ALL SEASON TIRE S THAT WERE SUPPOSE TO COME ON THE CAR.*AK
Air bags, Mar 3, 2005, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A METAL FENCE POLE AT 35 MPH, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
Seats, Mar 2, 2005, fire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT INCIDENT THE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO REMOVED THE SEAT, AND INSTALLED A NEW SEAT. *AK *TC
Tires, Feb 25, 2005
WE PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE AND LIVE IN SYRACUSE, NY. WE RECEIVE ABOUT 190" OF SNOW PER YEAR AND THEY PUT GOODYEAR INTEGRITY "ALL SEASON" TIRES ON THIS CAR. WE HAVE SLID THROUGH SEVERAL STOP SIGNS AND INTERSECTIONS. THESE TIRES ARE TOUTED AS "ALL-SEASON" BUT WHEN WE CALLED GOODYEAR THEY SAID THAT THEY WEREN'T INTENDED TO BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW. WHEN I ASKED HER IF WINTER WAS A SEASON, SHE SAID YES BUT.....I ASKED HOW MUCH SNOW CAN THESE TIRES DRIVE THROUGH AND STILL PERFORM AND SHE STATED 2-4 INCHES IS THE NORM. BOTTOM LINE...THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AT BEST. THEY ARE DANGEROUS. THEY DON'T EVEN PERFORM WELL IN RAIN. IF YOU HAVE THESE TIRES, CALL AND COMPLAIN TO GOODYEAR IMMEDIATELY. THEY SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PUT THESE TIRES ON ANYONE'S CAR. WHY EVEN BOTHER WITH ABS AND AIRBAGS IF THE TIRES CAN'T STOP THE CAR? *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 24, 2005, crash
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 4/26/04, 6/11/04, 7/8/04, 7/31/04 AND 11/8/04. ON 4/26/04 THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. ON 11/2/04 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 10 MPH SHE USED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A CRASH. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE CAR AND A MR. TROY HIGA, CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR, WROTE ME A LETTER STATING THAT TOYOTA COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *NM
Air bags, Feb 22, 2005, crash
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA CAMRY IN A BAD RAIN STORM. HE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A POLE. HE BROKE HIS COLLAR BONE AND MISSED 30 DAYS OF WORK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED WE WERE TOLD THE REASON THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN AIR BAG IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Feb 18, 2005, crash
WHILE PARKING HIS 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND HIT A PARKED CAR. *NM WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO FLIP, SHIFTING GEARS WERE NOT SMOOTH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS AN ERRATIC EFFECT WHEN CHANGING THE RADIO STATIONS. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2005, crash
BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN GOING OVER BUMPY ROADS, ASLO BRAKES DO SEEM TO WROK AS\ DESIGN (TO STOP) WHEN IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED. I PRESS THE BRAKES WHEN TRYING TO STOP AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT HOWVER THE BRAKES DID NOT APPEAR TO WORK AND THE CAR JST KEPT ON GOING AS I THE BRAKES DID NOT EXIST. I PRESS HARD WITH MORE THAN ADEQUATE TIME, HOWEVER THE BRAKES DID NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 25-30 MILES PER HOUR AND THE BRAKES AILED TO REACT AS EXPECTED.*AK
Exterior lighting, Feb 16, 2005
WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO HIGH. ONCOMING TRAFFIC WILL FLASH THEIR LIGHTS ON AND OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH DID NOT HELP. IT GOT WORSE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS HAD A SEAM ACROSS THE TOP WHERE THE PLASTIC IS JOINED. THE SEAM CAUSES DISTORTION AND AN ABRUPT CUT OFF OF LIGHT. *TC
Power train, Feb 11, 2005
2004 TOYOTA SOLARA WITH V6 AND AUTO TRANS. HAVE OWNED CAR SINCE NEW AND HAVE A HESITATION PROBLEM THAT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. EXTRA CAUTION IS NEEDED TO ENTER HWYS SAFELY. I AM ALSO UNABLE TO ACCELERATE COMING OUT OF TURNS WITHOUT FEELING THE CAR LURCH FORWARD MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. WHEN TAKEN TO SERVICE AT TOYOTA THEY ACT LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG. I KNOW I AM NOT CRAZY BECAUSE ITS NOTICED BY ALL MY PASSENGERS. AND UPON MY PERSONAL INVESTIGATION HAVE UNCOVERED MANY COMPLAINTS BY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE AND BY OWNERS OF LEXUS VEHICLES THAT USE SAME ENGINE AND TRANS. IN FACT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL CARS USING AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL FOR THE THROTTLE AS OPPOSED TO THE OLD LINKAGE SYSTEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF IT. I ALSO NOTICED QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE PERTAINING TO THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Steering, Feb 8, 2005
I HAVE EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING OF MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA SPORT COUPE WITH THE V6 MOTOR. THIS CAR CONSISTENTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT. FURTHER, THE CAR VEERS HARD TO THE LEFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP JUST PRIOR TO STOPPING. IT IS NOT A BRAKE PROBLEM. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION. I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM THE WEEK I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE DEALER, LEITH TOYOTA IN RALEIGH, NC, HAD THE WHEELS ROTATED AND THEN ALIGNED ALL FOUR WHEELS. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THE CAR HAD DEFECTIVE TIRES. THEY DID NOT DEIGN TO REPLACE THE TIRES. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO ANDERSON TOYOTA IN RALEIGH, NC, AND THEY ALIGNED THE VEHICLE, AND ALSO REPLACED A BROKEN STEERING COMPONENT THAT WAS CAUSING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. THEN THEY TOLD ME A TSB HAD "JUST COME OUT" ABOUT THE PULL TO THE LEFT, AND THEY NEEDED TO ORDER NEW SPRINGS. I AM SUPPOSED TO GO PICK UP THE AUTO TODAY, BUT I SERIOUSLY DOUBT WHETHER IT IS FIXED, OR WHETHER TOYOTA IS CONCERNED ABOUT MY WELFARE OR MY INVESTMENT. CURRENTLY, THE CAR HAS 26K MILES, AND HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP ON AT LEAST 6 OCCASIONS FOR THIS ISSUE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2005
THE CONSUMER IS UNSATISFIED WITH THE BUMPERS INABILITY TO ABSORB A CERTAIN LEVEL OF ABUSE WITHOUT SUSTAINING DAMAGE. *NM THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE STATUS OF THE SOFTWARE UPDATE TO CORRECT THE HESITATION OF THE CAR TO REACT IMMEDIATELY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE INABILITY OF THE CAR TO ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY MANNER IS DISCONCERTING TO THE CONSUMER ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. A NAUSEATING ROTTEN EGG ODOR COULD BE SMELLED INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 14, 2005
THE CONSUMER WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT DUE TO FAULTY BRAKES. *TC THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY AND WERE FADING AND OR DIMINISHING. *SC *JB
Visibility, Jan 13, 2005
THERE IS A STRONG SMELL COMING THROUGH THE DEFOGGER SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BECOME NAUSEAS. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR CHECKUP, BUT THE CAUSE IS UNDETERMINED. *NM
Tires, Jan 12, 2005
THE VEHICLE'S TIRES WERE WORN AT 11,223 MILES. *NM THE CONSUMER LEARNED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLE'S. *SC
Seats, Jan 12, 2005
THE EDGES OF THE BLACK CLOTH SEATS ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA ARE PERMANENTLY STAINED FROM THE RAIN & OF COURSE NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 11, 2005, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER FOUND NO DEFECTS.*AK