2005 Toyota Camry

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 721 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 721

Of the 2005 reports, 223 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 126 people were injured and 18 people died.

Primary concernVehicle speed control272 reports · 38% of complaints
Owner complaints721Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Vehicle speed control272
  2. Service brakes93
  3. Power train84
  4. Steering71
  5. Hydraulic66
  6. Air bags65
  7. Seat belts46
  8. Engine and engine cooling35

Recalls and investigations

  1. Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

    If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

    Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. 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

  3. Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010

    SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

    A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

    Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010

    GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

    THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

    DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

    Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. 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

Representative owner complaints: power train

84 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Jun 19, 2005

    WHEN THE OVERDRIVE IS ACTIVATED, THE RPM'S SPIKE BETWEEN THREE AND SIX THOUSAND RPM'S. THIS HAPPENS DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED AROUND THE BEGINNING OF APRIL, FIVE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN WITH THIS PROBLEM IS THAT IT MAY SPIKE AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE RPM'S SPIKE I LOSE ACCELORATOR CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MILAGE IS 14697.

  2. Power train, Jun 3, 2005

    DT: ON 5/27/05 WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER STOPPING THE ACCELERATOR WOULD HESITATE, THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK INTO GEAR. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. CANNOT MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN OR RIGHT HAND TURN BECUASE THE CAR HESITATES SO MUCH IT WONT GO. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, AND DELAER REPORTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. DEALER REPORTED NOTHING COULD BE DONE. TOYOTA REPORTED THEY WERE LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM AND WILL REPORT ANY DEVELOPMENTS.*AK

  3. Power train, May 3, 2005

    CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN FRUITLESS AS FAR AS RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF COMPLAINTS, BUT TRY THE COMPANY LINE THAT IT WAS ENGINEERED TO PERFORM THIS WAY. BASICALLY, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GEAR DOWN SATISFACTORILY, UNTIL IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. A SLOW TURN AND THEN ACCELERATION WILL 'ALWAYS' RESULT IN 'LAGGING' OF GEAR CHANGES, THEN IT WILL FINALLY GEAR DOWN AND LURCH INTO THE LOWER GEAR. IT'S AGGRAVATING AND CAN BE DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS IN TIGHT CROWDED FREEWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS WHERE IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN SPEED UP WITHOUT GETTING REAR-ENDED.

  4. Service brakes, Air, Power train, Apr 27, 2005

    1. WE PURCHASED A NEW 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE FROM BEAVERTON TOYOTA (BEAVERTON, OREGON) 2. HERE ARE THE THREE PROBLEMS: A. WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL, ON DRY PAVEMENT, WITH THE BRAKES BEING "FEATHERED", WITH NO ADDITIONAL FOOT PEDAL PRESSURE, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHES BACK ON THE DRIVERS FOOT. B. AFTER BRAKING AND THEN ACCELERATING, THE BRAKES DO NOT RELEASE AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEEN RELEASED. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO HESITATE UNTIL THE BRAKES RELEASE. THIS HAPPENS ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. C. WITH VERY LITTLE PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE HESITATES WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT MULTIPLE TIMES RUNNING THE RPMS UP TO THE REDLINE. 3. I HAVE REPORTED THESE PROBLEMS TO BEAVERTON TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE HILLSBORO (OREGON) TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT ONE TIME. THEY ADMIT THERE ARE PROBLEMS, BUT SINCE TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A "SERVICE BULLETIN" THEY CAN DO NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. I HAVE DRIVEN ANOTHER 2004 CAMRY AT THE HILLSBORO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND NONE OF THE PROBLEMS LISTED ABOVE OCCURRED.

  5. Power train, Apr 25, 2005

    WHILE DRIVING FIRST 100 MILES THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING ERATICALLY, UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFTS NOT CHANGING SMOOTHLY. *AK

  6. Power train, Mar 30, 2005

    VEHICLE REVS AND LUNGES WHEN STOPPED AND IN DRIVE. THIS OCCURS REGULARILY AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD MY WIFE THAT IT WAS "INHERRENT" WITH THE CAMRY. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY.*AK

  7. Power train, Feb 23, 2005

    EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT REQUIRED TO SLOW VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. ENGINE "PUSHING" VEHICLE WHILST BRAKING. POOR FUEL ECONOMY (AVG 20 MPG FOR 4-CYL AUTO. POSTED FIGURES 24/34). ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. NOTICEABLE DELAY WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. NUMEROUS NEAR-ACCIDENTS DUE TO DELAY IN ACCELERATION.*AK

  8. Power train, Feb 13, 2005

    2005 TOYOTA SE V6 HAS NOTICEABLE HESITATION PROBLEMS AT LOW SPEEDS. COULD BE DANGEROUS AT FASTER SPEEDS. TOYOTA CURRENTLY HAS NO FIX, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. *JB

  9. Power train, Equipment, Dec 29, 2004

    2005 TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6 GRADUALLY SPEED UP TO ABOUT 25 MPH. STOP SHORT (YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOCK THEM UP, BUT STOP QUICKLY) THEN ACCELERATE AGAIN. WHEN I STOP SHORT, MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, AND IT TAKES ABOUT 3 SECONDS TO SHIFT BACK INTO FIRST. WHEN IT DOES, I GET QUITE A JOLT. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALER, THEY ARE SAYING IT IS NORMAL. *NM