VehicleVerdict

2004 Toyota Camry problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 798 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Camry year — the 2004 model ranks #9 of 43 Camry years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 7 deaths and 184 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 241 reports (30% of the total).

798

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

264

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

184

Injuries

7

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Camry years?

Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted3,669 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 35 complaints1987: 70 complaints1988: 88 complaints1989: 138 complaints1990: 160 complaints1991: 186 complaints1992: 646 complaints1993: 334 complaints1994: 364 complaints1995: 373 complaints1996: 567 complaints1997: 685 complaints1998: 751 complaints1999: 661 complaints2000: 577 complaints2001: 356 complaints2002: 1,183 complaints2003: 946 complaints2004: 798 complaints2005: 905 complaints2006: 393 complaints2007: 3,669 complaints2008: 1,139 complaints2009: 1,611 complaints2010: 764 complaints2011: 779 complaints2012: 807 complaints2013: 377 complaints2014: 637 complaints2015: 362 complaints2016: 249 complaints2017: 206 complaints2018: 1,082 complaints2019: 551 complaints2020: 374 complaints2021: 192 complaints2022: 87 complaints2023: 85 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 198 complaints
Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Toyota Camry problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control24130%
Steering8110%
Airbags7810%
Brakes759%
Engine577%
Electrical System516%
Transmission496%
Fuel System294%
Tires & Wheels284%
Other253%
Suspension203%
Body & Structure192%
Seat Belts132%
Visibility & Wipers122%
Latches & Locks61%
Lighting61%
Seats30%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Child Seat20%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2004 Toyota Camry have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

04V595000Seat BeltsDecember 15, 2004 · 150,061 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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..

04V346000AirbagsJuly 13, 2004 · 128,316 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THEN UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY, WOULD NOT STOP, COLLIDED WITH A MOBILE HOME, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF ONE PASSENGER AND INJURY OF DRIVER *LA SEE ALSO VOQ 10171110. *DSY. UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 14, 2004 · crash

“TL*THE 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 9, 2008 · crash

“CRASH ON 8/4/07. NEITHER OF OUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OR SHOULDER STRAPS ON THE SEAT BELT WORKED. WE WERE STOPPED FOR A VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A PICK-UP WAITING IN FRONT OF US. A DRIVER FAILED TO STOP AND REAR-ENDED US. MY HUSBAND'S HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. WE BOTH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 4, 2007 · crash

“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. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VACUUM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 2, 2004 · crash

“2004 CAMRY SE CAR SITTING FOR TWO DAYS. CAR CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT SEEMED NO FOUL PLAY INVOLVED. TO ME IT LOOK LIKE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE STARTED BY THE BATTERY AND WIRING WAS THE ISSUE. INTERIOR IN GOOD SHAPE NO WINDOWS BUSTED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 31, 2016 · fire

2004 Toyota Camry — common questions

Is the 2004 Toyota Camry reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 798 complaints put the 2004 model at #9 of 43 Camry years. It is one of the Camry years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Camry problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (241 complaints), steering (81 complaints), airbags (78 complaints).

Does the 2004 Toyota Camry have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Toyota Camry. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Toyota Camry under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Toyota Camry years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camry years to avoid are 2007, 2009, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2004, 2011, 2010, 1998, 1997, 1999, 1992, 2014, 2000, 1996, 1995. The cleanest record among Camry years belongs to 1983.

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.