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.
Engine, Oct 29, 2012
ON OCT 18, 2012, MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. ON FRIDAY, OCT 19, 2012 OUR MECHANIC STATED HE COULD NOT FIX IT AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. HE FURTHER STATED WE NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE BOUGHT IT FROM TO CONFIRM THE ENGINE WAS NONE REPAIRABLE. ON MONDAY, OCT 22, 2012, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED US AND CONFIRMED THE BAD NEWS. OUR 2004 CAMRY 2.4L ENGINE IS LEAKING COOLANT INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE BOLTS ARE STRIPPED. THEY GAVE US SOME OPTIONS. THE DEALER COULD TRY TO REPAIR THE BOLTS BY RETREADING THEM (NO GUARANTEE IT WORLD WORK). REPLACE THE ENGINE (REBUILT AND NOT GUARANTEE IT WOULDN?T HAPPEN AGAIN). AND FINALLY, TRADE IN THE CAR (NOT ENOUGH TO PAY OFF MY LOAN). AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO CAMRY SINCE 2002. ONE POST STATED IT WAS FIXED WITH THE 2004 MODELS, BUT IN 2004 THE SAME ENGINE IS IN THE HIGHLANDER AND THE CAMRY. THE HIGHLANDER ALSO HAS SEVERAL POSTS TO THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN WILL TOYOTA TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT WITHOUT COMING AFTER THE CONSUMER! I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AT 800-331-4331 AND FILED A COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING THE DEALER TOLD ME, NOT THEIR FAULT. I AM REALLY HOPING THE GOVERNMENT TAKES THESE COMPLAINTS AND FORCES TOYOTA TO RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE ISSUES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HE PULLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO ENAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,200.
Engine, Oct 14, 2012
I NOTICED THAT WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM MY EXHAUST PIPE, THEREFORE, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE MECHANIC SIMPLY TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO A BAD HEAD GASKET. LATER ON, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIX, HE TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS UNREPAIRABLE, THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I ASKED HIM, "WHY?" HE TOLD ME THAT THE BOLTS THAT KEEPS THE ENGINE IN PLACE CAN NO LONGER BE TIGHTEN. THE ENGINE CAN NO LONGER BE HELD IN PLACE. HE CALLED IT, "STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS." ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AND HIS COLLEAGUES, IT IS A DESIGN FLAW BY TOYOTA. THE MECHANICS WENT ON STATING THAT, "EVEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE BOLTS WILL COME LOOSE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK IN. WHICH CAUSED THE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE. SO, I CALLED UP TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY CAN CORRECT THEIR PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. IF TOYOTA CAN'T FIX IT, HOW WOULD A MECHANIC FIX IT? I ASKED TOYOTA IF THERE WERE A RECALL FOR THIS, THEY SIMPLY SAID, "NO." THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND TAKE CARE OF THIS AWFUL PROBLEM. IT TURNS OUT THAT EVERY 2003-200? CAMRY OWNERS HAVE OR WILL HAVE THIS AWFUL PROBLEM. IS NOT JUST A RELIABILITY PROBLEM, BUT IS ALSO POLLUTING OUR HOME PLANET. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CAMRYS ON THE ROAD RANGING FROM THESE YEARS AND ALL OF THEM ARE OR SOON WILL BE SPEWING OUT FOREIGN SMOKE. NO MECHANIC OUT THERE CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. ALL THEY CAN DO IS REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME ENGINE THAT WILL SOON HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. PLEASE STEP IN AND MAKE TOYOTA FIX THIS AWFUL ISSUES WITH THE "STRIPPED HEAD BOLT." [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 10, 2012
ALL THREE PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCKS QUIT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY WILL STILL "LOCK" BUT WILL NOT "OPEN" DOOR LOCKS. HANFORD TOYOTA TOLD US THE ELECTRICAL MOTORS BECAME TOO WEAK TO OPEN THE LOCKS. BUT THEY ALL HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME! CAR HAD APPROX 73847 MILES ON ODOMETER. REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COST IS APPROX $300 PER DOOR. I FEEL THERE COULD BECOME A DANGEROUS FIRE POTENTIAL AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER RECALL. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2012
ON AUGUST 4, 2012, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL ON MY 2004 CAMRY BROKE. MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP, WHICH I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AND MANY CARS WERE FORCED TO SWERVE AROUND ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT, THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE AT 10 MPH. MY MECHANIC CHECKED THE ENGINE CODE & FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR CONTROL. THE PRICE FOR THE PART WAS $900, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM LIA TOYOTA OF NORTHAMPTON, WHOM I HAVE CONTACTED & THEY WILL NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURING OF NORTH AMERICA OFFICE IN KENTUCKY AND AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 1, 2012
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA UPDATED THE PART, BUT NEVER INFORMED HER. *JB
Air bags, Sep 22, 2012
AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CODE B1801 WAS PRESENT. COIL SPRING / SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG THE CONNECTOR TO THE IGNITION COIL WAS ABNORMALLY DRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 6, 2012, crash
PLEASE NOTE THAT I FILED A COMPLAINT THROUGH PHONE ON 9/4. THE COMPLAIN NUMBER IS 10473713. BUT IT WAS TOO BRIEF. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADD ADDITIONAL COMMENT (SEE BELOW). AND JUST FOUND OUT I CAN FILE IT THROUGH ONLINE. SO, I DID. BELOW IS THE LETTER WHICH BRIEFLY DESCRIBES THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAPPENED ON 7/20/2012. NOTE THAT THIS SUA ALSO HAPPENED IN EARLY 2010 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS SAME CAR. HERE ARE THE EVENTS: 1. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO A PARKING SLOT. JUST A COUPLE OF FEET BEFORE I REACHED THE PARKING POSITION, THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN MOVED FORWARD VIOLENTLY WITH "FULL THROTTLE" FOR A FEW FEET THEN STOPPED BY ME. THE CAR HIT THE RIGHT PILLAR OF THE PAVILION. (THE LEFT PILLAR WAS ABOUT ONE TO TWO FEET BEFORE MY LEFT REAR MIRROR.) 2. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SAID TO MY WIFE (SHE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT), "WHAT'S GOING ON THIS CAR?" AT THE SAME TIME I WAS PLANNING TO BACK IT OUT. 3. IT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR MOVED FORWARD AGAIN WITH FULL THROTTLE. (AT THAT MOMENT, MY LEFT HAND WAS STILL ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE RIGHT HAND WAS ON THE GEAR HANDLE.) BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO SHIFT THE GEAR, THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUGHT ME COMPLETELY OFF GUARD. THE CAR HIT THE MAILBOX AND VEERED TOWARD THE LEFT. IT WENT DOWN THE SLOPE AND STOPPED AT THE STREET FACING LEFT. 4. BETWEEN THE FIRST STOP AND THE SECOND SUDDEN ACCELERATION IT PROBABLY LASTED TWO SECONDS. 5. NOTE THAT THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION ALREADY HAPPENED ONCE IN EARLY 2010 WHILE MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR TO A PARKING SLOT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 4, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Structure, Aug 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COVER OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. .. UPDATED 08-27-12 *BF
Vehicle speed control, Aug 6, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ACROSS A CEMENT MEDIAN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ENGINEER TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE, WHO COULD ALSO NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE STOPPED AND WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,280 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,312. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOORS WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE GRAZED THE CONCRETE BASE OF A LAMPPOST IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. THREE (3) OTHER INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED IN MARCH 2008, FEBRUARY 2008, AND MARCH 18, 2012. UPDATED 09/18/2012 *JS
Engine, Jul 30, 2012
HEAD GASKET SCREWS ARE STRIPPED. ENGINE LOST COOLANT BUT NO LEAK WAS EVIDENT. AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS TO COOLING SYSTEM, EVENTUALLY HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A REBUILT ONE. COOLANT LOSS CONTINUED WITH SECOND ENGINE. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. COOLANT LOSS CONTINUES WITH NEW RADIATOR. NOW WE KNOW THAT THE HEAD GASKET SCREWS ARE STRIPPED, THE ORIGINAL AND ONLY SOURCE OF THE LEAK. DESIGN FLAW CAUSES STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS IN THIS MODEL. *TR
Structure, Jul 16, 2012
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD AND AROUND THE AIR BAGS AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILE BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. MW
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE DRIVER CRASHED AGAINST THE PAVEMENT, A FENCE AND THEN DOVE INTO A CREEK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 08/16/12*LJ ...UPDATED 03-10-16 *BF *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 29, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP A CURVE AND CRASH INTO BRICK STEPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HURT THEIR WRIST IN THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND IT WAS REPORTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE PER THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility, Jun 23, 2012
PROBLEMS WITH THE SUNROOF. CABLES BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY RIGHT AFTER THE THIRD YEAR. DEALER SAID THE ENTIRE PULLEY SYSTEM BROKE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. DEALER SAID WARRENTY HAD JUST EXPIRED, COST OVER $1000+ TO REPLACE IT. TWO YEARS AGO, WHILE DROVE ON THE FREEWAY; THE ROOF EXPLODED, GLASS DROPPED ALL OVER, IT WAS SCARY. PAID $800+ AND INSTALLED THE NEW ROOF WITH DEALER, A MONTH LATER THE PULLEY BROKE AGAIN. THE DEALER SAID WE HAVE TO PAY $1000+ AGAIN. IT IS DIFFERENT ISSUE THAN THE GLASS. TOTAL COST OVER $3000+ FOR JUST A SUN ROOF ITSELF. UNTIL NOW, I HAVEN'T REPLACED YET. I AM AFRAID TO KEEP REPLACING THE PULLEY SYSTEM. *TT
Vehicle speed control, Jun 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,300.
Structure, Jun 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Visibility, May 15, 2012
BOTH SUN VISORS HAVE FAILED WITH ORDINARY USE. THE BRACKETS BREAK AND THE SUN VISOR FALLS IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE OBSTRUCTING YOUR VISION. THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AS THE PLASTIC BRACKET EASILY BREAKS. THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR BROKE FIRST THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TALKED WITH THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WERE LOTS OF REPLACEMENTS. THE COST TO REPLACE BOTH WERE IN EXCESS OF $250.00. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT CAN EASILY CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS. MY SON WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR HAD PINNED THE VISORS UP TO THE OVERHEAD MATERIAL WITH STRAIGHT PINS TO KEEP IT FROM DROPPING IN HIS FACE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS UNTIL HE WENT OFF TO COLLEGE BECAUSE HE WAS THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE CAR. I KNOW THIS IS NOT ON THE SAME LEVEL AS A AIR BAG BUT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD NEVER THE LESS AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD ONE SUN VISOR EVER BREAK, YET THIS CAR HAD TOW BREAK. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD VISORS AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO FORWARD THEM TO YOU FOR TESTING. I LOOKED AT THEM AND COULD EASILY SEE WHERE THE DEFECT IS, YET I AM NOT A ENGINEER. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THESE ISSUES BUT MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE TO COMPLAIN OF THIS DEFECT. I WOULD BE EASY TO SEE JUST HOW MANY ARE REPLACED. THIS IS "CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE" THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT CAN IMPAIR A DRIVERS VISIBILITY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GROCERY STORE AND INJURED TEN PEOPLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 17, 2012
I TURNED ON THE MOTOR OF MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED AT A HOME DEPOT. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE (AND NOT ON THE GAS), THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 15 YARDS. *JS
Air bags, Mar 17, 2012
THE FROM PASSENGER SRS AIRBAG ASSEMBLY IS COMING OFF, EXPOSING SOMETHING LIKE YELLOW PADDING WHICH MAY BE INDICATION OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS MAY CAUSE FATALITIES DURING ACCIDENT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 7, 2012, crash
I WAS SLOWLY PULLING MY 2004 CAMRY INTO A PERPENDICULAR PARKING SPACE IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS I APPROACHED THE CURB TO COME TO A STOP, THE CAR SUDDENLY LEAPED FORWARD AT WHAT SEEMED LIKE FULL THROTTLE, JUMPED THE CURB, LUNGED UP A FLIGHT OF THREE CONCRETE STEPS, AND CRASHED THROUGH THE GLASS DOORS OF THE ENTRY OF THE BUILDING. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, AT THE HOUR OF THE DAY WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED (3:30 PM), THERE ARE SMALL GROUPS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WAITING FOR RIDES OR CHATTING IN FRONT OF THIS FACILITY. BY SOME MIRACLE THERE WERE NO PEOPLE PRESENT ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE CAR OR COMING OUT OF OR GOING INTO THE BUILDING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. TRULY A MIRACLE THAT NO ONE WAS HURT OR WORSE. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE POLICE HAD THE CAR REMOVED BY FLATBED TO A BODY SHOP YARD. I LATER LEARNED THAT THE POLICE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR IN THE BODY SHOP YARD AND COMMENTED THAT THE CAR DROVE WITHOUT ISSUES. I SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED A CARELESS DRIVING CITATION IN THE MAIL. A LOCAL MEDIA REPORT OF THE INCIDENT, CRIBBED FROM THE POLICE BLOTTER, STATED THAT THE POLICE BELIEVED THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WAS DRIVER ERROR. THERE IS NOT THE LEAST DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR! THE CAR ACTED ON ITS OWN AS IF POSSESSED! I WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN! I BOUGHT A NEW CAR AND TOOK A HUGE LOSS ON THE VALUE OF THE TOYOTA BY SELLING IT FOR PARTS TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A TENTH OF ITS RETAIL VALUE SO IT WOULD NEVER FIND ITS WAY BACK ONTO THE ROAD TO THREATEN OTHER PEOPLE WITH INJURY OR DEATH! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 18, 2012
OUR 2004 CAMRY 2.4 ENGINE HAS JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE STRIPPED HEAD BOLTS AT 155,000 MILES AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. THEY ARE TELLING ME IT MAY NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO THIS COMMON FAULTY TOYOTA DEFECT ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. I AM OUTRAGED TO KNOW THAT I'M GONNA BE CHARGED ALMOST 6000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A FAULTY ENGINE. WHY ISN'T TOYOTA DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?! HOW MUCH CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. *TR