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.
Child seat, Nov 8, 2004
BRITAX MARATHON MODULE # E9L0605 00834, DOM 05/02/2004, AND BRITAX MARATHON E9L0605 008450, DOM 01/02/2004. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE THREE MONTHS AGO.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 8, 2004
THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY V6. AFTER APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE HESITATES FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING ABRUPTLY. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, BUT THE ACCELERATION TROUBLE DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE PROBLEM BEGAN, I WAS SIMPLY TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER HAD NOT FOUND ANYTHING. SINCE THEN, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND I HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THE CAR.*AK
Air bags, Nov 5, 2004
THE AIR BAG ON AND AIR BAG OFF, INDICATOR LIGHTS INDICATE THE ACTIVATION OF FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG, SIDE AIRBAG ON FRONT SEAT FAILURE. *BF THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT A PERSON 70 LBS OR MORE SHOULD ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG ON LIGHT AND AFFORD THE FRONT PASSENGER PROTECTION. *SC
Power train, Nov 4, 2004
I HAVE A 2004 V6 CAMRY. THE CAR HAS NO CLUES AS TO WHICH GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN. HALF OF THE TIME YOU CAN PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS AND IT WILL GO AND HALF THE TIME IT WILL NOT. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES CHANGING LANES OR PULLING OUT DUE TO THE CAR BEING STUCK IN GEARS. THE SHIFTING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 WILL JERK YOUR NECK. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIPS OVER FOUR TIMES AND EVERYTIME I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A CHARTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I WENT LAST WEEK...THE GENERAL MANAGER TOLD ME HE FELT THE JERKS IN THE TRANSMISSION AND PROCEEDED TO CALL TOYOTA TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX IT.30 MINUTES LATER I WAS TOLD THAT I AM ON MY OWN WITH IT. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TOYOTA HAS HAD THEM REPLACING 02 SENSORS AND MANY OTHER USELESS IDEAS TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE IS ON EVERY SINGLE COMPLAINT WEBSITE (INCLUDING THIS ONE) AND I WANT TO KNOW IF SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED BEFORE TOYOTA IS MADE TO CORRECT THEIR MISTAKES? THE BRAKES ARE THE SECOND ISSUE...THEY DO NOT WORK!! THEY HAVE BEEN REPORTED OVER AND OVER AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I HAVE CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE BRAKES BEING SMASHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR JUST NOT STOPPING.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 3, 2004
WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE REAR ENDED. *AK THE VEHICLE MAY STALL. *SC
Electrical system, Nov 2, 2004, fire
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE 1 1/2 HOURS AFTER IT WAS SHUT OFF AND LOCKED." PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. *JB
Tires, Oct 28, 2004
DEFECTIVE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES, REQUEST A DEFECT INVEST.,FOR TREAD SEPARATION. *BF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD 7000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WANTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRE. *NM
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 22, 2004, crash
UNEXPECTEDLY, WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL, CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HIT A BUILDING AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 5, 2004
AFTER HEARING THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THEREAFTER THEY DID NOT HOLD AS EFFECTIVELY, HOWEVER, THE BRAKES WERE NOT INSPECTED.*AK
Air bags, Oct 2, 2004, crash
AIR BAGS FAILED TO ACTIVATE IN DIRECT HEAD-ON COLLISION AT O/A 35 MPH. PERSONAL INJURIES FROM SHOULDER RESTRAINTS WHICH COULD/WOULD HAVE BEEN AVERTED IF AIR BAGS BHAD INFLATED. SENSORS APPARENTLY FAILED TO OPERATE DERSITE SUFFICIENT IMPACT TO VIRTUALLY DESTROY ENTIRE FRONT END.*AK
Power train, Sep 30, 2004
CONSUMER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION HESITATED WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. THERE WAS A 3 TO 4 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. *AK
Child seat, Sep 29, 2004
BRITAX, MARATHON, MODEL # E9L0605, DOM 05/19/ 2003. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04C-002000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF STRAPS. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED THE STRAPS THREE MONTHS LATER. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 29, 2004
WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE HESITATED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2004
NEW CAR PURCHASED. BRAKE PEDAL CLEARANCE IS 1" FROM FLOOR. OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICATION IS 2.5" MINIMUM. TOYOTA SERVICE DECLARES NO PROBLEM EXISTS.*AK
Air bags, Sep 28, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER'S WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. DRIVER'S HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE. *AK *TC
Power train, Sep 23, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH THEN REDUCING SPEED DUE TO TRAFFIC OR TO TURN THERE IS A MARKED DELAY IN THROTTLE AND TRANSMISSION RESPONSE ON RE-ACCELERATION, DANGEROUSLY SLOW WHEN CHANGING LANES ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FINALLY DUE KICK IN, THE TACHOMETER JUMPS TO RED LINE AND THE CAR ROCKETS FORWARD! *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 23, 2004
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD - CAR PULLED SEVERELY TO LEFT AT TIME OF PURCHASE. TOYOTA'S FIRST ATTEMPT LESSENED LEFT HAND PULL. TOYOTA'S SECOND REDUCED PULL, BUT NOW STEERING IS SLOPPY. TOYOTA SAYS THEY "FIXED" IT. CAR FEELS "TWITCHY". ON CROWNED ROADS YOU WILL PULL HARD TO WHATEVER SIDE THE ROAD LEANS TO. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE - TOO SCARY TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER NON-SAFETY RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR - SHARP RATTLE FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE, VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE IS SOFT. *JB
Tires, Sep 23, 2004
I RENTED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH APPROXIMATELY 9400 MILES FROM HERTZ LOCAL EDITION ON N DALE MABRY AVE IN TAMPA FL. ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER, I WAS ON MY WAY TO ORLANDO WITH MY 11 MONTH OLD SON VIA INTERSTATE 4 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. I MOVED OVER TO THE LAST LANE SO I COULD TAKE THE NEXT EXIT TO CHECK THE CAR WHEN I HEARD AND SAW THE BACK LEFT TIRE EXPLODE. DUE TO THE EXPLOSION THE CAR JERKED TOWARDS THE RIGHT SO FAST THAT I ALMOST ENDED UP IN A LARGE DITCH ON THE SIDE OF I-4. I CALLED EMERGENCY SERVICES AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT AND LATER THAT DAY RETURNED THE CAR FOR A REPLACEMENT. I HAD BOTH OF THE RESERVATIONISTS LOOK AT THE TIRE AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT LOOKED AS IF IT HAD EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I RECEIVED AND EMAIL FROM HERTZ, WHICH BASICALLY STATED THAT THEIR SORRY FOR THE PROBLEM, THEY INSPECT THEIR CARS, AND SOMETIMES THINGS CAN HAPPEN. *JB
Suspension, Sep 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT TIRES PULLED TO THE LEFT SIDE, AND VEHICLE VIBRATED. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER HAS NOW SATISFACTORILY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *NM
Visibility, Seats, Sep 19, 2004
CAR'S DESIGN MAKES CHANGING LANES HIGHLY DANGEROUS: THE BACK WINDOW IS EXTREMELY SMALL AND NARROW, AND THE TWO BACK SEATS HAVE UNUSUALLY HIGH HEAD RESTS WHICH COMPLETELY BLOCK THE SMALL WINDOW.*AK
Air bags, Sep 19, 2004
A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS FLAW EXISTS IN THE 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6 WHICH THE COMPANY REFUSES TO CORRECT. OUR CAR CONTAINS DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS. THIS WAS SPECIFICIALLY PURCHASED AS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ($650. ADDITIONAL) FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER. THE SYSTEM IS SUCH THAT "AIRBAG ON" AND "AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR LIGHTS INDICATE THE ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG, SIDE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT PTENSIONER. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT A PERSON WEIGHING 70LBS. OR MORE SHOULD ACTIVATE THE "AIRBAG ON" INDICATOR LIGHT AND AFFORD PROTECTION FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. MY SPOUSE WIEGHS 95 LBS. SHE DOES NOT PRESENTLY ACTIVATE THE "AIRBAG ON" INDICATOR LIGHT ALTHOUGH IT DID ACTIVATE THE FIRST TWO MONTHS WE HAD THE CAR. WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING TO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER PROTECTED IS FOR ME (THE DRIVER) TO PRESS DOWN ON THE SEAT WHILE I START THE CAR WITH MY SPOUSE IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS WORKS ABOUT ONCE EVERY FOUR OR FIVE ATTEMPTS. THE ABOVE IS BAD ENOUGH, BUT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT FROM "AIRBAG ON" TO "AIRBAG OFF" WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO TRY TO ACTIVATE THE "AIRBAG ON" TO AFFORD PROTECTION FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. AS I MENTIONED ABOVE, THE COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER (PRESTIGE TOYOTA OF RAMSEY, NJ) AND TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO NO AVAIL.*AK
Power train, Sep 18, 2004
TRANSMISSION MAY DELAY GEAR SELECTION AND ACCELLERATION FOR UP TO 4 SECONDS PUTTING LIVES IN JEAPORDY WHEN WISHING TO ACCCELERATE OR PASS. TRANSMISSION KNOCKS AND SEARCHES WHEN CREAPING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. CLEARING AN INTERSECTION FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC MAY BE HAZARDOUS. PASSING DOWNSHIFTS ARE COMPLETELY DANGEROUS.....WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO PASS ANYMORE IN THIS CAR! *AK
Power train, Sep 16, 2004
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA AND HAVE SEVERE ACCELERATOR ISSUES. THE ACCELERATION HESITATES AT VARIOUS TIMES. SOMETIMES IT IS FROM A COMPLETE STOP, OTHER TIMES IT IS IN LOW GEAR. THIS HAS BECOME A HAZARD IN DRIVING AMONGST TRAFFIC. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AT A NORMAL SPEED; AS I SAID, IT HESITATES, MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO A ROAD, OR STARTING FROM A STOP. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE REAR ENDED! THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS CANNOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS STATING THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED, WITHOUT ADMITTING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE..BUT THEN STATE THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH A RESOLUTION. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASE IN APRIL. EACH TIME THEY TRY DIFFERENT THINGS...I.E., RESETTING THE COMPUTER, RUNNING TESTS, ETC. *JB
Power train, Sep 15, 2004
WHEN EVER THE VEHICLE WAS POSITIONED ON AN INCLINE AND THE CONSUMER MOVED HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL'. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB *TC
Visibility, Sep 13, 2004
THERE IS A HAZE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR WINDOWS. I HAVE CLEANED THE WINDOWS BUT THE HAZE REAPPEARS. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS "VINYL OUT GASSING PER TOYOTA TECH ASSISTANCE. DEALER SAYS PROBLEM COULD LAST FROM 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. THE HAZE IMPAIRS MY VISION ESPECIALLY AT DUSK AND AT NIGHT. THE PROBLEM SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE USE AND MARKET VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE "GASSING" PROBLEM IS ALSO A HEALTH ISSUE. I WILL NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT BECUASE OF THE VISION PROBLEM. I RARELY DRIVE DURING THE DAY AND ONLY WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOWN BECAUSE OF THE "GASSING" PROBLEM. *AK