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.
Suspension, Apr 29, 2004
VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN DRIVEN ON A FREEWAY OR OVER A ROUGH ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN BY 3 FACTORY REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THE THIRD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT VIBRATION WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED, AND COULD NOT BE CORRECTED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Apr 29, 2004
UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES CONSUMER SOMETIMES DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. THIS CAUSESD THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
Suspension, Apr 29, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE ALIGNMENT AND CURRENTLY ALL THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT ON THE OUTSIDE. *SC
Structure, Apr 29, 2004, fire
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 53 MPH FRONT END STARTED SHAKING HARD. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS ON FIRE. *AK *LA
Steering, Apr 27, 2004
PURCHASED 2004 SOLARA IN SEPTEMBER 2003. HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE TWICE FOR PULLING TO THE LEFT. IT WAS REPAIRED BOTH TIMES WITH NO REASON FOR PROBLEM. CAR PERFORMS OK FOR A FEW DAYS THEN STARTS PULLING LEFT AGAIN. *AK ALSO - HESITATION ON ACCELERATOR. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR SLIGHT HESITATION WHEN GIVING CAR GAS. ALSO ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE TWICE. FEEL THAT I HAVE PURCHASED A PROBLEM CAR AND AM VERY CONCERNED
Tires, Apr 27, 2004
BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE-92 P215-60R16 M&S. THIS TIRE HAS BEEN MISTAKENLY CLASSIFIED AS A MUD & SNOW TIRE. IN MY 35 YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN ON SUCH A DANGEROUS TIRE THAT WAS CLASSIFIED M&S. ANY SNOW WHATSOEVER MAKES THE VEHICLE(2004 TOYOTA SOLARA SE) EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SAFELY. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE BEING USED SOLELY AS A NON-WINTER TIRE, BUT FOR NHTSA TO ALLOW THE M&S DESIGNATION ON THIS TIRE IS TANTAMOUNT TO GROSS NEGLIGENCE. IF YOU THINK THAT I AM ALONE IN MY OBSERVATION ON THIS TIRE, THEN PLEASE SEE WEBSITE 1010TIRES.COM AND READ THE NUMEROUS CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS THESE TIRES ARE IN SNOW. I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS TIRE CLASSIFICATION.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 26, 2004
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET OF MY SUBDIVISION AT ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR AND MY CAR SURGED FORWARD ON ITS OWN ON TWO OCCASIONS. AGAIN WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY BRAKE ON, IT SURGED FORWARD AGAIN AND THEN DID IT AGAIN WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I BARELY GOT IT STOPPED IN TIME TO KEEP IT FROM REAR ENDING AN 18 WHEELER CAB IN FRONT OF ME.*AK
Structure, Apr 20, 2004
VEHICLE DRIFTED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. PH THE DEALERSHIP TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND ADJUSTMENTS. AN ENGINEER WAS SENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS DESIGNED TO PULL TO THE LEFT DUE TO THE ROAD CROWN. *JB
Power train, Apr 20, 2004
WHENEVER VEHICLE TRAVELED UP AN INCLINE AND THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE MOVED BACKWARDS. *PH THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHEN GOING UP A HILL AND THE SMALLEST HILL. AS SOON AS THE DRIVER'S FOOT RELEASED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE MOVED BACKWARDS. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE AND THE SECOND ONE'S FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. THIS WAS EXPERIENCED A FEW TIMES A WEEK. *SC *JB
Power train, Apr 19, 2004
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, AT A FASTER ENGINE SPEED OF ABOUT 2,800 TO 3,000 RPM, THERE IS A ROUGH SPOT OR ROUGH NOISE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AT LOWER ENGINE SPEEDS A NOISE IS NOT NOTICEABLE. FOR A LONG TIME I THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS FROM ROUGH SPOTS IN THE ROADWAY, BUT THE NOISE KEPT OCCURRING ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT. THERE IS A DEFINITE DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 16, 2004, crash
CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING ,CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERS. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK 9/26/2005 - THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER THE REPAIRS (THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AGAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR. THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL FEELS SOFT/LOW. *DSY
Power train, Apr 16, 2004
TRANSMISSION "SHUDDERS" WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AT RPM NEAR 3,000.*AK
Suspension, Apr 12, 2004
THE CAR HAS PULLED OR VEERED TO THE LEFT SINCE PURCHASE ON 12/12/2003. THE CAR HAS BEEN ALIGNED TWICE AND THE TIRES ROTATED TWICE BUT THE CAR STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR PULLS INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TIRES WILL BEGIN TO WEAR UNEVENLY.*AK
Steering, Apr 10, 2004
PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA. EVER SINCE THE DAY I PICKED IT UP THE CAR HAS DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. NOW WITH 9000 MILE ON IT ,IT HAS STARTED TO PULL RIGHT ONCE IN A WHILE. THE DEALER HAS RE-ALINED THE FRONT END 5 TIMES AND I HAVE ALSO HAD A PRIVATE SHOP DO IT ONCE . THE DEALER HAS COMPLETED THE WORK WHICH TOYOTA SENT OUT ON A BULLETIN HOWEVER IT STILL DRIFTS. TOYOTA SENT AN ENGINEER UP FROM CHICAGO TO DRIVE MY CAR, HE TOLD ME THAT ALL TOYOTA'S ARE DESIGNED TO DRIFT LEFT DUE TO ROAD CROWN. LOOKING AT ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS ,I FEEL HE WAS JUST SINGING A STORY. TODAY I VISITED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND DROVE TWO NEW SOLARAS. THEY BOTH DRIFTED LEFT. I DRIVE THIS CAR FOR MY JOB--30,000 MILES A YEAR IT IS TOTALLY EXHAUSTING TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY POSSIBLY DANGEROUS.
Steering, Apr 6, 2004
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JANUARY 2004, AND I STARTED COMPLAINING THE NEXT DAY. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING INTO ANOTHER LANE WHEN GOING OVER 60 MPH, LIKE I DROVE OVER SOMETHING SLIPPERY LIKE ICE. IT ALSO PULLS TO THE RIGHT, AND SOMETIMES TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN MY MIND, BUT I NOW SEE IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT. IS LEMON LAW A POSSIBILITY? I FEEL VERY UNSAFE. *LA
Suspension, Apr 3, 2004
CAR CONSISTENTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *NM
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2004
MY 2004 CAMRY XLE HAS VERY POOR BACK UP LIGHTS. I CAN NOT SEE THE STREET WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY NORMAL LENGTH DRIVEWAY, OR OUT THE REAR WHEN IN AN AREA WITH NO LIGHTS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THE POSSIBLR CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 25, 2004, crash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE
Steering, Suspension, Mar 24, 2004
I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 1/1/04. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK A WEEK LATER TO HAVE LEATHER PUT ON THE SEATS, I TOLD THEM IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. SUPPOSEDLY THEY ALIGNED THE FRONT END BUT THEY DIDN'T PUT ANYTHING IN THE COMPUTER ABOUT IT. THEY HAVE ROTATED THE TIRES, SWITCHED THE TIRES, ALIGNED THE FRONT END, PUT A NEW RACK ON IT ETC. ETC. THE LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND I SHOULD READ THE OWNERS MANUAL ON HOW TO OPERATE IT. I HAVE DEALT WITH THIS FOR 3 MONTHS AND NO SATISFACTION. I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND TOLD THEM I WANTED ANOTHER CAR. THEY GAVE ME ONE TO SEE IF I LIKED IT AND THEN PULLED MINE IN TO WORK ON IT AGAIN AFTER I HAD TOLD THEM NO MORE. THEY CALLED ME TODAY TO TELL ME IT WAS FIXED. RIGHT!!! I HAVE CALLED MY LAWYER. *JB
Air bags, Mar 23, 2004
CONSUMER NOTICED IN FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM BECAME DISABLED. DEALER ADMITTED THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.*AK CONSUMER IS HEAVY SET AND WELL OVER THE MANUFACTURERS THREASHOLD OF 80LBS, 6.2 IN HEIGHT AND THE PSIR WILL NOT ACTIVATE ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME WNEH SEATED IN THE PASENGER FRONT SEAT. WHEN OTHER PEOPLE GET INTO THE SEAT THAT WEIGHT LESS THEN CONSUMER THE PSIR CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE. CURRENTLY IN ARBITRATION. DEALER CAN NOT FIX VEHICLE.CW
Vehicle speed control, Mar 22, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A TREE. DRIVER SUSTAINED LOWER BACK INJURIES. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Mar 21, 2004
SINCE PURCHASING MY 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA, I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT IT'S STEERING AND HOW UNSAFE IT FEELS TO DRIVE. PULLS TO THE LEFT FREQUENTLY, AND THE RIGHT LESS FREQUENTLY. STEERING IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE, AND FEELS UNSAFE. CAR SLIDES INTO OTHER LANES, AS IF ON ICE...ESPECIALLY WHEN PASSED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER REPAIRED A SLIGHT FAULT WITH SOME RINGS BEING INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, IT ONLY SLIGHTLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. STEERING IS MORE CONTROLLED, BUT CAR STILL DRIFTS INTO OTHER LANES. CAR ALSO ROCKS WHEN IN A PARKED POSITION, IF EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED, AND WILL ROLL BACKWARD WHEN STOPPED GOING UPWARD ON HILL...BRAKES DO NOT LOCK INTO A HOLD POSITION. *JB
Steering, Mar 18, 2004
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA PULLS TO LEFT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS DESPITE WHEEL ALIGNMENT ON-SPEC. HAS DONE SO SINCE PURCHASED DEC 2003.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2004, crash
AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY NEW (LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD) TOYOTA CAMRY 2004 SURGED FORWARD AT A HIGH VELOCITY AND I HIT A BRICK WALL DAMAGING MY VEHICLE. INJURY: SPRAINED RIBS AND BRUISES TO CHEST AND KNEES. *AK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 11, 2004
DRL WILL NOT TURN ON HEADLIGHTS THAT THE OWNERS MANUAL ON PAGE 98 SAID THAT IT WILL, THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE AUTO IS A NEW 2004 CAMRY XLE, WITH 902 MILES AT THIS TIME. THE LIGHTS SHOULD COME ON AS STATED IN THE BOOK, OR A WARNING SHOULD BE IN THE MANUAL, THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WILL COME ON WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE DRL.*AK