KnownCarProblems2004 Toyota Camry Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 638 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Camry, most often about the speed control (37% of complaints, typically around 45,000 miles). It is 8th of 25 Camry model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2004 Toyota Camry problems
Speed control
238 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages.
Dt: 2004 Toyota Camry. On three occasions at a stop light the engine roared while the consumer's foot was on the brake. The vehicle actually lurched forward when this happened.the consumer had to press the brakes as hard as possible. The vehicle has been to the dealership to be inspected. They could not duplicate the…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. In an attempt to park the vehicle, it surged forward and struck a post. The contact placed her foot on the brake pedal, shifted into reverse, and released the brake when the vehicle accelerated backwards, sideswiped a vehicle, jumped a curve, and struck another vehicle before…
Steering
80 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, rack and pinion, linkages, hydraulic power assist system.
2004 Toyota Camry has excessive play in steering column and make noise when making a left or right turn. Dealer states that it is just a noise but would replace lower column at a cost of $463.65. I believe that this is a potential safety issue in which the dealer/manufacturer is aware. This in my humble opinion should…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry le. The contact lost control of the vehicle because the steering wheel malfunctioned on the vehicle. The contact was not injured in the crash. The contact was not able to give more details of what caused the vehicle to lose control. The consumer was traveling 55 MPH when the crash…
Air bags
79 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window, on-off switch assembly.
To whom it may concern: without hearing the news related to Toyota vehicle recall, I have felt really stupid how I could have had the accident. Recalling the process of the accident, I might have to say it was weird. Before the crash, I clearly noticed the red light and a stopped car just in front of me on n perkins…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The passenger side air bag light illuminated immediately after the vehicle was turned on. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the vehicle needed a new rear crash sensor as well as a new passenger seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was…
Brakes
70 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, foundation components, antilock.
: the contact stated while depressing the brake pedal it goes to the floor causing an increase in stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the problem could not be duplicated.
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. The consumer stated that the vacuum did not exist. (the pedal…
Engine
55 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Acceleration on my 2004 Toyota Camry began to fluctuate wildly while I was driving down the road. Car would suddenly accelerate, then decelerate almost non-stop. I shut engine off, called Toyota and had the car towed in. I was told that the engine control module (ECM) was defective and would be replaced under a…
Check engine light came on. Before I could get it serviced the vehicle started cutting off when I tried to accelerate and with in a day started cutting off when idling. This almost caused me to be in an accident because I was on the highway when the car cut off the first time and someone almost rear ended me. When my…
Transmission
48 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
Started the vehicle on saturday 10/29/2011, put it in reverse and the engine light came on. Backed out of the driveway onto the street and put it on drive. I stepped on the accelerator and the vehicle moved forward about 30feet and stalled out. I tried several times to started and it would not. After I completely…
While driving in heavy rain A/C button started flashing and all windows fogged up. I took it to the dealership 3-31-07, they performed diagnosis and replaced A/C magnetic clutch relay. Next heavy rain on april 14, 2007, the AC/button started flashing and all windows fogged up. I took the car to the dealership and they…
Electrical
37 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, software, horn.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact was reversing from a parking space when the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 45 MPH and continued to drive in circles. The contact stated the vehicle did not stop until it crashed in several car on the left and the right. The force hit the other vehicles directly in…
Automatic locks will not lock or unlock the back passenger door. All other door locks operate properly. Creates safety issues as door does no lock when shifted into drive, the driver can no longer lock the doors while in the driver seat or using the key fob. This is the second time this car has had the same issue.…
Fuel system
29 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling there was an abnormal fuel odor detected. The contact stated that there was also a grinding sound while applying the brakes. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with a fuel…
On 8/0/10 vehicle in parking lot. Backed up vehicle. Put vehicle in drive. Vehicle engine revved up and crashed into two vehicles. Attempted to hit brake. Distance between brake and gas pedal is 3 1/2 inches. Vehicle involved was a Toyota. Engineer is inspecting vehicle on 8/27/10.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Toyota Camry recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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..
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine surging
Summary
The petitioner owns a my 2006 toyota camry with a 4-cylinder engine that was purchased new in january 2006. The petitioner also previously owned a my 2005 camry. He alleges that both vehicles exhibited vehicle engine surging, which he described as a short duration (1 to 2 second) increase in engine speed occurring while the accelerator pedal is not depressed. In an initial interview, the petitioner estimated that 6 to 8 surge incidents, of varying severity, occurred in the my 2006 vehicle over the course of 10,000 miles and 7 months of ownership. The petitioner reports that the brake system is effective at overcoming the surge. However, he is concerned about reports filed with NHTSA alleging
Vehicle speed control
Summary
In a letter dated july 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect within the etc system in my 2002 to 2005 toyota and lexus vehicles, or to reopen a prior investigation preliminary evaluation (pe) 04-021.in a letter dated august 18, 2005, mr. Ziprin amended his petition to include allegations of interrelated brake and acceleration problems that allegedly result in inappropriate and uncontrollable vehicle
Questions about the 2004 Toyota Camry
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Camry?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (238 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles); steering (80 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); air bags (79 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Camry have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 9, 2011 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Toyota Camry?
- It is 8th of 25 Camry model years by number of complaints, with 638 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.