2004 Toyota Camry Owner Complaints

My wife was in a crash that totaled my 2004 Camry. She swerved to miss a deer and was pulled off the road and into two utility poles and several areas of fence. None of the airbags deployed and the crash was well over the 14 mph speed limit suggested for the airbags to deploy. My wife was seriously injured and was lucky the seatbelt held her back. She spent time in a hospital and broken two ribs and bruised her heart. This could have been avoided if the airbags deployed. No warning signs and the vehicle was inspected on time every time. No recalls.

NHTSA ID

11749220

Incident

Jun 23, 2026

The SRS warning light came on. I took it to my mechanic and he tested the sensor. He said the code that showed is B1821...Open in Side Squib (D Seat Side) Circuit. He said I needed to take it to a Toyota Dealer. I have an appointment with one on 4/17/25.

NHTSA ID

11654816

Incident

Apr 12, 2025

The power steering freezes up upon the slightest amount of street water ponding making it almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. I have experienced a number of scary situations that make driving this car in wet elements very very difficult. As a result I generally refrain from driving altogether under these conditions. This dangerous problem must be fixed soon! I HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST TO MY LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA OF DALLAS)

NHTSA ID

11559606

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,868.

NHTSA ID

11523464

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

Mileage

193,868 mi

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11512497

Incident

Mar 17, 2023

Toyota dealership unable to fix open recall in time to ship vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11497827

Incident

Dec 16, 2022

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 leak and ABS sensor failure. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the tank was rusted and was also replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11463944

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

Mileage

78,000 mi

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at the residence, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor detected. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was made aware of a fuel leak. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11451506

Incident

Nov 5, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contacts stated that while her daughter was driving at 55mph down a hill when the contact's daughter crashed the vehicle into another vehicle that was stopped. None of the airbags deploying. Medical treatment was required and she sustained bruising to the left breast and ribcage. The contact's daughter service dog was in the vehicle at the time of the failure and hit the floorboard during the incident. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11425468

Incident

Jul 9, 2021

Mileage

145,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL AT APPROXIMATELY 77 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD UNINTENDEDLY. THE VEHICLE SIDE SWEPT ANOTHER VEHICLE HITTING THE DRIVER SIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE, THEN, SPUN OFF AND HIT A NEARBY GUARDRAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO PERSONS WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO REPAIR DAMAGE HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11415410

Incident

Apr 30, 2021

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP. INITIALLY, WE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A BATTERY ISSUE. IN FACT, WE CHANGED THE BATTERY WITH A BRAND NEW ONE, IT HAPPENS AGAIN. TWO MORE TIMES, I DID OWN A TOYOTA CAR MORE THAN 25 YEARS AGO. IT WAS IDENTIFIED AS FUEL PUMP ISSUE. FOR SURE, THIS IS THE CASE. CAN I GET A REPLACEMENT FOR FREE ON THE FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ID

11385130

Incident

Dec 27, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY AT A NON-SPEEDING LEVEL,DRY WEATHER, WHEEL LOCKED UP PREVENTING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, LEADDING TO VEHICLE HITTING A CURB THEN AIRBORNE AND TURNOVER RESULTING TO SALVAGE DAMAGES.

NHTSA ID

11344032

Incident

Aug 7, 2020

Mileage

325,000 mi

WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED JUMPING AHEAD HITTING A TREE IN PARKING LOT. EVEN WITH BRAKING, IT DID NOT STOP. I HAD TO REVERSE AND IT STILL SPEED UP WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK. THEN ONLY IT STOPPED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK. ONLY MY SHOULDER & LAP BELTS SAVED ME. SUCH AN EPISODE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP IN MY DRIVE WAY, IT ACCELERATED WHILE I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO TOYOTA COMPANY, TORRANCE, CA AS WELL AS ITS DEALER IN WESTBURY, NY. NOTIHING WAS DONE TO DATE. IT STARTED IN 2005 AND CONTINUED EVEN IN 2020. THE MILEAGE VARIED FROM 1500 TO 134000. DATES ALSO VARIED.

NHTSA ID

11316567

Incident

Mar 2, 2020

Mileage

134,000 mi

DURING A HIGH VELOCITY FRONT END IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET.

NHTSA ID

11257604

Incident

Sep 16, 2019

Mileage

298,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE BELT HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MARIETTA TOYOTA (750 COBB PARKWAY S, MARIETTA, GA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND CRANKSHAFT SEAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE), ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 249,000.

NHTSA ID

11243471

Incident

Aug 9, 2019

Mileage

249,000 mi

DRIVER IN FRONT CRASH WITH 4-5 CAR PILE UP. CAR WAS ON HIGHWAY 287 AND DEER WAS CAUSE. AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. WE NEVER GOT A NOTICE ABOUT TAKATA AIRBAGS. SPEED WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 45-50 AT TIME BECAUSE BRAKES WERE SLAMMED ON TO NO EFFECT. CRASH WAS UNAVOIDABLE. CAR WAS TOTALLED.

NHTSA ID

11219971

Incident

Jun 11, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

REAR DRIVER SIDE FIRESTONE TIRE GUARANTEED FOR 70,000 MILES BLOWN INTO PIECES WHILE DRIVING ON MARCH 11, 2019. IT HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES ON IT. ON MARCH 12, 2019, I NOTIFIED BRIAN OF FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE (800/367-3872) AND HE ASKED ME TO TAKE IT FOR INSPECTION BY FIRESTONE, 715B MERRICK AVE, WESTBURY, NY 11590 (516/228-9055) AT 11.00 AM ON MARCH 14, 2019

NHTSA ID

11186274

Incident

Mar 11, 2019

Mileage

125,616 mi

CAR SITTING AT IDLE POSITION SUDDENLY LAUNCHED FORWARD. VEHICLE WAS GOING 2-3 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY LAUNCHED FORWARD AND SMASHED INTO A WALL AT A TOP DONUT DRIVE THRU.

NHTSA ID

11181536

Incident

Feb 20, 2019

Mileage

190,000 mi

A SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOTICED AND INTENSIFIED OVER THE SPAN OF 2 DAYS. VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE OWNED BY THE FAMILY AND HAVING A CHRONICALLY ILL SON TRANSPORTATION WAS NEEDED TO TAKE HIM TO HIS DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. BEFORE USAGE OF THE VEHICLE A VISUAL INSPECTION WAS DONE BY THE FATHER TRYING TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL WITH NO AVAIL. AFTER THE SONS DOCTORS APPOINTMENT THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHO HAS OVER 25 YEARS AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE AND AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN AUTOMOTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE BEING AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE FROM BEING DRIVEN TO THE LOCATION AND THE ENGINE BAY WAS VISUALY INSPECTED WITH THE ENGINE OFF WITH NO SIGNS OF FUEL LEAKAGE. BEING SAFETY CONSCIOUS, THE MECHANIC OBTAINED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WATER HOSE INCASE OF A FIRE. THE MECHANIC THEN TURNED ON THE ENGINE AND NOTICED A SMALL LEAK AT THE FUEL DAMPER. HE PROCEEDED TO REMOVE THE TOP PLASTIC COVER OF THE DAMPER WHICH LED TO FUEL SPRAY WITH FORCE ENOUGH TO SPRAY ON THE MECHANIC WHO WAS LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL OBVIOUSLY SPRAYED OVER THE HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING IGNITION OF THE GASOLINE. A FRIEND WHO WAS WITH THE MECHANIC QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE WHILE THE MECHANIC QUICKLY DOUSED THE FLAMES PREVENTING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPON RESEARCH, THIS FUEL DAMPER WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM MOST CAMRYS OF THIS GENERATION. THE DAMPER DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TOYOTA PART NUMBERS AND SEEMED SUSPICIOUS. FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS UNBRANDED FUEL DAMPER WAS FOR CA EMMISIONS STANDARDS WHILE ANOTHER STYLE WAS FOR FEDERAL STANDARDS. OTHER CAMRYS THAT WERE MADE FOR CA DID NOT USE THE STYLE FUEL DAMPER AS MY CAMRYS. IT SEEMS LIKE TOYOTA BOUGHT AFTERMARKET DAMPERS AND INSTALLED THEM ON AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF VEHICLES.I THINK THEY RAN OUT OF OEM DAMPERS

NHTSA ID

11174903

Incident

Dec 20, 2018

Mileage

168,000 mi

GAS PEDAL ACCELERATED WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE.

NHTSA ID

11162889

Incident

Dec 20, 2018

Mileage

156,421 mi

THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STOPPED MOVING ONE DAY AND ANOTHER DAY IT MOVED ERRATICALLY. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE SHIFTING BECAME REALLY HARD, WOULD TAKE A LOT OF PRESSING OF THE PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED. FINALLY, IT WOULDN'T EVEN GO ABOVE 20-30MPH ON HIGHWAY NO MATTER WHAT. LATER IT WAS FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR HAS GONE BAD. REPLACING THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT STILL THE CAR HESITATES BEFORE SHIFTING, ESPECIALLY IN LOW GEARS (<550MPH).

NHTSA ID

11156908

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

164,000 mi

I RECEIVED LETTERS WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD THE TOYOTA DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED BECAUSE IT IS AN INTERNAL DEFECT OF THE CAR, BUT THE CONSISTENCY AND URGENCY OF THE DANGER I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO REPAIR I MADE THE APPOINTMENT FOR NOVEMBER -15-2018 @ 7:00 AM TO 1-888-663-8613. FROM THAT DAY NOVEMBER 15, 2016, I LEFT MY VEHICLE AT THE CAMELBACK DEALERSHIP AT 1550 E. CAMELBACK RD. IN PHOENIX, AZ, TOYOTA, AND TO DATE THEY HAVE NOT REPAIRED OR RETURNED ME. I HAVE MADE MANY CALLS BUT THEY DO NOT GIVE SPECIFIC ANSWERS .TODAY IS 12-05-2018

NHTSA ID

11156360

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

MY CAR HAS 4 CODES ON IT AND THEY ARE ALL AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS.

NHTSA ID

11129100

Incident

Sep 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT BOUNCED BACK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OAK LAWN TOYOTA (4320 85TH STREET, OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS 60453), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,150.

NHTSA ID

11114096

Incident

Jul 9, 2018

Mileage

130,150 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,906.

NHTSA ID

11109688

Incident

Jun 18, 2018

Mileage

75,906 mi