2004 Toyota Camry Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Camry. Part of Generation 5 (XV30) — 2002–2006.

20032005
Complaints
798
Crashes
264
Fires
16
Injuries
184
Fatalities
7
Recalls
1

Worst 2004 Toyota Camry Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1211 complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Avg mileage:54,525 mi
Crash-related:116
Fires:1
#262 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:52,834 mi
Crash-related:7
#356 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:91,919 mi
Crash-related:31
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Toyota Camry.

Unintended Acceleration
211
complaints
Crashes
116
Fires
1
Avg Miles
54,525
Steering Defects
62
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
52,834
Airbags
56
complaints
Crashes
31
Fires
Avg Miles
91,919
Electrical Faults
35
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
7
Avg Miles
74,610
Automatic Transmission
32
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
51,394
Hydraulic Brakes
29
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
Avg Miles
49,588
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
27
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
Avg Miles
23,931
Engine Problems
26
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Avg Miles
117,909
Air Bags:Frontal
18
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
Avg Miles
98,599
Engine & Cooling
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
67,819
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
15
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
15,253
Tire Defects
15
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
26,717
Brakes
14
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
110,928
Suspension Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
21,290
Transmission / Drivetrain
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
104,803
Gasoline Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
59,784
Fuel System
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
127,389
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
88,891
Steering:Column
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
32,126
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
69,265
Seat Belt Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
63,375
Fuel System, Other
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
64,466
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
4,005
Other Equipment
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
21,336
Latches / Locks
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
44,349
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,791
Tires:Sidewall
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
10,834
Service Brakes, Electric
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota Camry. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Toyota Camry

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~420,326 vehicles.

11V539000Engine & Cooling
~420,326 affected

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.

Other Toyota Camry Years

2004 Toyota Camry — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Toyota Camry reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Toyota Camry has 798 NHTSA complaints, 264 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Unintended Acceleration with 211 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Toyota Camry?
Top reported problems: Unintended Acceleration (211 complaints, avg 54,525 mi); Steering Defects (62 complaints, avg 52,834 mi); Airbags (56 complaints, avg 91,919 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Toyota Camry?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 61,669 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Toyota Camry include 264 crash-related reports, 16 fire reports, 184 injuries, and 7 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Toyota Camry have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 420,326 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Toyota Camry?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Camry reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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