VehicleVerdict

2005 Toyota Camry Solara problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Toyota Camry Solara sits mid-pack among Camry Solara years: 131 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 90, with a single recall and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (25), speed control (20), and transmission (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

131

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Camry Solara years?

Camry Solara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted204 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 109 complaints2000: 80 complaints2001: 66 complaints2002: 67 complaints2003: 34 complaints2004: 204 complaints2005: 131 complaints2006: 146 complaints2007: 158 complaints2008: 99 complaints2009: 1 complaints
Camry Solara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry Solara years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Toyota Camry Solara problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2519%
Speed Control2015%
Transmission1612%
Airbags1511%
Other108%
Electrical System97%
Engine75%
Brakes75%
Seats54%
Tires & Wheels54%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Steering32%
Suspension22%
Latches & Locks11%
Fuel System11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V539000EngineNovember 9, 2011 · 420,326 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“HAD A SEIZURE WENT OFF THE ROAD VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL TREES AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR IS TOTALED. DRIVES HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL AND HAD HEAD AND FACIAL DAMAGE. WAS ON CITY STREET TURNING TO GET ON HIGHWAY, HE HAS BEEN IN ICU FOR 3 DAYS. HAVE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT..”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 20, 2019 · crash

“MY 2005 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THIS MORNING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE CAR, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD, I APPLIED THE BRAKES, TO NO AVAIL, AND HIT A PARKED TRUCK HEAD-ON. MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL - BUT I KNOW NOW IT IS ALSO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 12, 2010 · crash

“WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT PROVOCATION, CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER WHICH THANKFULLY STOPPED THE FORWARD MOTION. I DON'T KNOW IF RELATED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF HESITATION AND ROUGH SEQUENCING THROUGH GEARS OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ADVISED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 12, 2006 · crash

“HAD A SEIZURE WENT OFF THE ROAD VEHICLE HIT SEVERAL TREES AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR IS TOTALED. DRIVES HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL AND HAD HEAD AND FACIAL DAMAGE. WAS ON CITY STREET TURNING TO GET ON HIGHWAY, HE HAS BEEN IN ICU FOR 3 DAYS. HAVE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT..”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 20, 2019 · crash

“TOYOTA SOLARA 2005 MODEL WITH 83000 MILES THE CAR WAS BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS ACCELERATED FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO MOVE A FEW FEET. WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPLOYED THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE HOUSE. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SMASHED AND RADIATOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 30, 2010 · crash

2005 Toyota Camry Solara — common questions

Is the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara reliable?

It is close to typical for the Camry Solara: 131 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 Camry Solara problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (25 complaints), speed control (20 complaints), transmission (16 complaints).

Does the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Camry Solara years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camry Solara years to avoid are 2004, 2007, 2006. The cleanest record among Camry Solara years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.