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.
Visibility, Seats, Sep 13, 2004
REAR WINDOW IS BLOCKED BY THE HEAD REST. ALSO, THE WHEN THE SUN VISOR IS DOWN, IT BLOCKS THE REAR WINDOW . MANUFACTURE STATES THAT THE DESIGN MEETS DOT COMPLIANCE.*AK THE CONSUMER ALSO INDICATED THAT EH REAR WINDOW APPEARED TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY SMALL THAN PRIOR YEAR SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO STOP. AS RESULT, IT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS SIDE SWIPED BY ANOTHER. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VACUUM DID NOT EXIST. (THE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD) *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 31, 2004
THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS WERE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE THE POSITION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE THAT WAS HOW IT WAS BUILT. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WAS SCHEDULED TO COME AND INSPECT THE PEDALS. *AK THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN LOWER THAN THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS SLIGHTLY OFF THE BRAKE, IT WOULD HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. THE BRAKE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME AFTER REPAIR ATTEMPTS. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 30, 2004
THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKES DID NOT GRABB LIKE THEY SHOULD, THEY ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR. MANUFACTURER WAS NO NOTIFIED, HOWEVER THE DEALER FOUND NO DEFECTS.*AK
Structure, Aug 27, 2004
THE BUMPERS ARE LACKING METAL CONTENT. THE BUMPER IS EASILY DENTED WHEN TOUCHING ANYTHING. CONSUMER DENTED FRONT RIGHT SIDE BUMPER. THE MATERIAL DESIGN IS POORLY MANUFACTURED, AND SOMEONE WILL BE INJURED.*AK
Power train, Aug 21, 2004
WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR ONLY FROM A STOP, THERE IS A JERKY OR STUTTERING FEELING ON VARYING ROAD SURFACES. THIS OCCURS APPROXIMATELY 2 - 3 TIMES DAILY. THE CAR IS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES A DAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN TEST DRIVEN BY THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR'S COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED ON THE 3RD VISIT; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALER CONTACTED TOYOTA; HOWEVER, HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY CAN NOT AUTHORIZE ANY REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. *JB
Seats, Aug 20, 2004
THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE REAR HEAD REST IN THE VEHICLE ARE TOO LARGE BECAUSE THEY PARTIALLY BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE REAR WHILE DRIVING. *AK *NM
Structure, Aug 19, 2004
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. CONVERTIBLE ROOF IS DEFECTIVE, WIND NOISE IS TERRIBLE, WIND GETS UNDER CAR ROOF ON HIGHWAY AND CAUSES CAR TO MOVE AS THOUGH IT IS HYDROPLANNING (EVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT). *AK ALSO- REAR HEADRESTS BLOCK SO MUCH OF THE BACK WINDOW THAT THERE IS NO WAY (EVEN WITH MIRRORS) TO SEE AROUND BLIND SPOTS
Air bags, Aug 19, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN ADVERTISING POLE. BEFORE IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN '!@#$% HIT A BUMP AND THEN IT DEPLOYED TO THE SIZE OF A HALF BALLON, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY ALL DO THEY DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE BUMP. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS HIT, HOWEVER THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Aug 18, 2004, crash
THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INSIDE OF THE DRIVEWAYAND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INTO THE GARAGE WALL. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD COME DOWN TO INSPECT THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 17, 2004
BREAK PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CAR TAKES AN EXCESSIVE DISTANCE TO STOP FROM FREEWAY SPEEDS. DEALER SAYS ALL 2004 TOYOTA CAMRYS DO THIS. THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LETS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE DIES INSTEAD OF AFTER SOMEONE DIES. *JB
Air bags, Aug 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Aug 10, 2004
DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE STUCK WHILE DRIVER TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2004
ELECTRONIC GAS MILEAGE CALCULATOR IS OFF BY 4.5 MILES PER GALLON. IF FOLLOWED YOU WOULD RUN OUT OF GAS 50 TO 60 MILES BEFORE THEY SAY YOU SHOULD. 2004 TOYOTA XLE. OYOTA SAID, " IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A LITTLE OFF", MY CADILLAC WAS A LITTLE OFF 1 TO 2 TENTHS OF A MILE PER GALLON. I ASKED THEM TO FIX IT AND THERE ANSWER IS THEY CAN'T. WHEN I ASKED WHAT SHOULD I DO, THEY SAID, " WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO" . I PAID EXTRA FOR THE XLE FEATURES. *AK
Suspension, Aug 5, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TOWARDS THE LEFT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Steering, Aug 3, 2004
FROM DAY ONE CAR HAS PULLED TO THE LEFT. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO NOT CENTERED AND HAS TOO MUCH "PLAY". I MUST APPLY CONSTENT PRESSURE TO THE RIGHT JUST TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. CAR DOES NOT HAVE A SOLID, STABLE FEEL TO IT WHERE STEERING IS CONCERENED. I HAVE BROGHT THIS BACK TWICE TO LAUREL TOYOTA CARMAX AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED IT. I HAD A LOANER CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND THAT CAR FELT LIKE IT SHOULD. I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AS WELL.*AK
Tires, Jul 30, 2004
VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO TIRE FAIL SINCE PURCHASED. *MR THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE SIDEWALL. THE VEHICLE ONLY DRIVEN IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND AT LOW SPEEDS. RELATED TO ODI#10081223. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED. *SC
Vehicle speed control, Jul 30, 2004
WHILE PARKING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *AK *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jul 28, 2004
THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE CAR WAS QUICKLY LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM A BRAKE LINE, AND THE ABS ACTUATOR. AFTER ALREADY HAVING A FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT FOR THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART, TOYOTA HAD TO AGAIN REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE AND THE ABS ACTUATOR. CURRENTLY WE ARE PURSUING ARRBITRATION BASED ON THE NORTH CAROLINA LEMON LAW TO DEMAND THE REPURCHASE OF THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT CONTINUE TO HAVE DEFECTS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 28, 2004
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AFTER HAVING THIS PART REPAIRED THE PREVIOUS WEEK. TOYOTA DID A FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT ON THE CAR IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE LEMON LAW FOR A RESONABLE NUMBER OF ATTEPMTS. THE YAW SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE CAR WAS NOT WORKING UNTIL THE PART WAS REPLACED.*AK
Service brakes, Air, Jul 28, 2004
DRIVING MY 04 CAMRY WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE ABS ACTUATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE FAILED UNTIL THIS PART WAS REPLACED. IT WAS IN A TOYOTA SERVICE STATION FOR 18 CONSECUTIVE DAYS AWAITING THESE REPAIRS BECUASE THE PROBLEM WAS MISDIAGNOSED TWO TIMES BEFORE FINDING THE ACTUAL PART THAT NEEDED REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 26, 2004
THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER READS HIGHER THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED AND DISTANCE DRIVEN. THE ODOMETER RECORDS APROXIMATELY 1.2 MILES WHEN DRIVEN 1.O MILE. THE SPEED REGISTERS MUCH FASTER THAN ACTUAL ROAD SPEED. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT ACTUAL SPEED THE VEHICLE IS TRAVLLING.*AK
Tires, Jul 22, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SHREDDED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 2004
THIS OCCURS ON A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 3.0L V6 AND A 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ON OCCASION WHEN SLOWING FROM A SPEED OF 20 MPH OR MORE, THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR AND CAR HESITATES AND STUMBLES. BECAUSE OF NO RESPONSE, THE DRIVER WILL FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR, THERE WILL BE A 1-2 SECOND DELAY AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL RACE TO 5000 RPM AND THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF. DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR TWICE AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. TOYOTA AND THE DEALER STATE THAT THE CAR IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND THIS DELAY IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. IF IT IS NORMAL, WHY DOESN'T IT DO IT ALL THE TIME? *LA
Visibility, Jul 19, 2004
I NEED YOUR HELP ON PROBLEMS AND LAWS GOVERNING NEW CARS. I JUST TOOK DELIVERY OF MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. THE PROBLEM IS AN OBSTRUCTED VIEW OUT OF MY REARVIEW MIRROR. THERE IS ONLY A 12" WIDTH BETWEEN THE TWO LARGE HEADRESTS ON THE BACK SEAT. I HAVE BLIND SPOTS THAT I CANNOT PICK UP WITH EITHER MY SIDE MIRRORS OR MY REARVIEW MIRROR. I HAVE BEEN TO THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL. AS THE LAW IS WRITTEN, HAD I LOADED MY CAR TO BLOCK THE VIEW IN THIS MANNER, I WOULD BE IN VIOLATION. HOWEVER, A CAR CAN BE CONSTRUCTED WITH AN OBSTRUCTED VIEW. APPARENTLY, MY TOYOTA IS NOT THE ONLY CAR DESIGNED WITH AN OBSTRUCTED VIEW. FRIENDS OF MINE WHO DRIVE VANS TELL ME THEY ALSO CANNOT SEE WELL OUT OF THEIR REARVIEW MIRRORS. PLEASE HELP. THERE SHOULD BE A LAW GOVERNING MANUFACTURES TO PROVIDE PROPER VIEW FOR PASSENGER CARS. *JB