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.
Tires, Wheels, Jul 16, 2004
TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA CONVERTIBLE EQUIPPED WITH 17" WHEELS AND BRIDGESTONE TURANZA P215/55R17 MUD AND SNOW TIRES HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO SIDEWALL FAILURES AT APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES AND 1700 MILES REQUIRING TIRE REPLACEMENT. UNSURE OF EXACT CAUSE OF FAILURE, POTENTIALLY ROAD IMPERFECTIONS OR CURB BUMPS, (NO DAMAGE TO ALLOY WHEELS) . BOTH HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED RAMIFICATIONS IF HIGH SPEED COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE. THESE "LOW PROFILE" TIRES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND CAN BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 12, 2004
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Steering, Jul 12, 2004, crash
I'VE HAD A TOYOTA SOLARA SINCE LATE FEBRUARY, AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITHIN DAYS. IT PULLS TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING, AND SLIPS INTO OTHER LANES USUALLY FROM THE RIGHT. ON 1 OCASSION WHEN I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE AND I SLID OFF THE ROAD AND SLID INTO A TREE, SLOWLY THANK YOU GOD. IT IS VERY BAD TO DRIVE, AND I WON'T LET MY WIFE OR MY KIDS IN THIS CAR IT WAS BOUGHT FOR HER. MY DEALER CLAIMS THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR AND FEEL SAFE. PLEASE GIVE ME A HAND. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 10, 2004, crash
I WAS DRIVING THEN THERE WAS A LARGE BANG AND A ENGINE VALVE WAS BUSTED. I CRASHED. (I WAS THE ONLY ONE DRIVING.)*AK
Equipment, Jul 7, 2004
LTR OF COMPLAINT RE THE UNSAFE JACK FOR SPARE TIRE INSTALLATION PROVIDED WITH THE NEW 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE.*MR THE CONSUMER AND HIS SON PERFORMED THE RECOMMENDED TIRE ROTATION AT 5000 MILES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS JACKED IN THE FRONT, THE CAR MOVED BACKWARDS WHILE LIFTING TO CLEAR THE FRONT TIRE. THIS OCCURRED ON FLAT GROUND. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS OCCURRED DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED JACK BASE. *NM
Tires, Jul 6, 2004
2004 TOYOTA CAMARY WITH FIRESTONE BRIDGESTONE TIRES ARE VERY UNSAFE. I EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT ON THE I-10, THE TIRE UNRAVELED FROM THE SIDE WALLS SPLITING THE TIRE INTO 2 PIECES. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jul 2, 2004
WHILE BRAKING UPHILL RPMS ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 24, 2004, crash
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CAUSED A COLLISION. *AK *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 23, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SIX TIMES. *AK THE DEALER HAS PUT 400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE TRYING TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 22, 2004
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. *AK THE CONSUMER TRIIED TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURER REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. *NM
Electronic stability control, Jun 21, 2004
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMERY PURCHASED IN APRIL/04. LIKE MANY OTHERS, MY CAR DRIFTS TO THE LEFT INTO OTHER LANES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE. FROM VARIOUS READINGS, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPRINGS. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW AND TOYOTA HAS BEEN IGNORING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM!*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 14, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CHAIN AND FENCE POST. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *SC *JB
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2004
MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BEEN IN THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANY TIMES NOW FOR VEHICLE PULLING THE THE LEFT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON. WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR ON SIDE ROADS ALL MY INSTRUMENT PANEL ICONS WILL LIGHT UP, THEN START GOING OUT ONE BY ONE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING OUT. THE COMPUTER CODES WERE PULLED WITH SENSORS BEING REPLACED. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AS WELL. I STILL HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH ALL ICONS POPING ON AND OFF. THIS STARTED FROM THE SECOND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. I'VE REQUESTED TOYOTA GIVE ME A TRADE IN AND IT WAS DENIGHED. I'VE MAILED IN A LETTER SHOWING THE HISTORY PRINT OUT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I'M AT THE END OF MY ROPE HERE AND I FEEL I HAVE A UNSAFE VEHICLE. I'M NOT WANTING MY WIFE OR SON TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. HOW DO I KNOW THE AIR BAG OR SOMETHING ELASE WILL DEPLOY?*AK
Seats, Jun 7, 2004
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA CONVERTABLE. WHEN THE TOP IS UP THE TWO REAR SEAT HEADRESTS BLOCK VISABILITY OUT OF THE REAR VEIW WINDOW BY AT LEAST 60%. THE REAR WINDOW IS SMALL TO START WITH, LIMITING VISABILITY, THE HEADRESTS REALLY COMPOUND THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP ABOUT THE POSSIBLE REMOVAL OF THE HEADRESTS. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE HEADRESTS WERE FIXED AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A VALID SAFETY ISSUE, THE REASON FOR MY E-MAIL. *AK
Tires, Jun 7, 2004
IN SOME 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY, MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED IN THE CERTIFICATION LABEL A TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE LOWER THAN THAT REQUIRED TO SUPPORT GAWR. *AK VEHICLE DETECTED: [XXX] TIRE SIZE: P205/65R15 GAWR IN CERT. LABEL: [XXX] RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION: 29 PSI INSUFFICIENT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN SOME FATAL ACCIDENT. FMVSS 110 HAS REQUIREMENT REGARDING TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE RECOMMENDED BY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS A CERT. LABEL WHICH MIGHT NOT MEET FEDERAL REGULATION. UPDATED 07/25/2012*JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Jun 7, 2004
TROUBLE-DIFFICULTY STEERING, CAR KEEPS SLIPPING TO THE RIGHT. LOCAL DEALER COULDN'T FIND TROUBLE. CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I'VE TALKED TO 5-6 OTHER PEOPLE WITH SOLARA, ALL BUT 1 HAD SAME PROBLEMS...PULLING RIGHT/LEFT. MINE FEELS LIKE I'M DRIVING OVER OIL SLICK, AND CAR SLIPS INTO OTHER LANE. PLEASE HELP. *AK
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jun 4, 2004, crash
- NEW TOYOTA CAMRY LE PURCHASED JANUARY 2004 - ON FEBRUARY 25TH KEY WOULD NOT TURN (TOOK 10 - 15 MINUTES TO START IT) - LATER WHILE PARKING, THE CAR THE STEERING LOCKED TURNING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT - THE CAR ACCELERATED AND SURGED DESPITE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE (SAME AS ODI PEO4021) - THOUGH THE CAR BROKE A METAL FLAG POLE, DAMAGED A RETAINING WALL, AND FELL SEVEN FEET INTO A MAJOR STREET, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - CAR IS SEVERELY DAMAGED: WHEELS, TIRES, FRONT END, GAS TANK, FRONT AXLE - DRIVER HAS A SWOLLEN AND SORE KNEE ALONG WITH SIGNIFICANT SOFT TISSUE INJURIES INCLUDING BACK PAIN *SC *JB
Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 29, 2004, crash
DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THEN UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY, WOULD NOT STOP, COLLIDED WITH A MOBILE HOME, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF ONE PASSENGER AND INJURY OF DRIVER *LA SEE ALSO VOQ 10171110. *DSY. UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 08/23/10*JB UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW
Vehicle speed control, May 27, 2004
THERE IS A LAG IN THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT WHEN THE CAR IS AT SLOW SPEED. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN GETTING ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY. IN ADDITION THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT ALL THE TIME.*MR
Suspension, May 25, 2004
HI -- I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA I PURCHASED FROM IRA TOYOTA. THE CAR HAS HAD A CONSTANT PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THEY HAVE REPURCHASED 1 CAMRY SOLARA FROM ME ALREADY. AFTER STATING THAT IT WAS "1 BAD CAR" AND THAT THEY "HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SPORT SUSPENSION", I PURCHASED AN SLE WITHOUT THE SPORT SUSPENSION. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT IS THE 'CROWN OF THE ROAD', NOT THE CAR. THE CAR WILL GO FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE MEDIAN STRIP IN LESS THAN 1 SECOND AND THEY SAID THAT HAPPENS WITH 'ALL CARS'. I HAVE DRIVEN 4 SEPARATE CARS, 2 OF WHICH I HAVE HAD TO RENT BECAUSE TOYOTA WON'T/CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE FOR HIGHWAY TRAVEL. PLEASE TELL ME HOW I CAN HAVE THE CAR FIXED OR, AGAIN, REPURCHASED. IT SEEMS UNFAIR THAT LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON VARIOUS WEB SITES (TOYOTA'S OWN, EDMUNDS.COM, YAHOO.COM) HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT REQUIRED TO FIX IT AND CAN BLAME THE 'ROAD CROWN' FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CAR.NM
Vehicle speed control, May 24, 2004
VEHICLE IS A NEW 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH 190 MILES ON IT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND TRAVELLED ABOUT TWO CAR LENGHTS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT.*AK
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2004
THE ODOMETER READ 3% MORE THAN THE CONSUMER HAD ACTUALLY DRIVING. THIS CAUSED DISCREPANCIES IN SPEED CONTROL, WARRANTY ISSUES AND CAUSED AN OVERAGE OF 1440 MILE IN THE CONSUMERS 48000 MILE LEASE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD, BY A REPRESENTATIVE, THAT A 10% ERROR VARIANCE WAS ACCEPTABLE FOR THE ODOMETER READINGS. *AK *NM
Air bags, May 11, 2004, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 5/10/04 IN WHICH I WAS HIT IN THE FRONT OF MY CAMRY BY ANOTHER VEHICLE NEARLY HEAD ON. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 35 AND 50 MPH ON IMPACT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
Power train, May 8, 2004
CAR SHUDDERS, SOMETIMES QUITE VIOLENTLY, WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ENGAGES SECOND GEAR. NOTICED ON SECOND DAY OF OWNERSHIP FEB 18, PROBLEM CONTINUES. MY DEALER HAS MORE COMPLAINTS OF THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2004, crash
WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE CRASHED INTO FOUR HOUSES, INJURING SEVERAL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY ONE PERSON IN BEDROOM. *AK