VehicleVerdict

2005 Toyota Camry problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 905 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Camry year — the 2005 model ranks #7 of 43 Camry years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 18 deaths and 173 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 274 reports (30% of the total).

905

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

292

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

173

Injuries

18

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Camry years?

Camry NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camry years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Toyota Camry problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control27430%
Brakes9611%
Transmission8710%
Steering718%
Airbags698%
Engine566%
Other465%
Seat Belts465%
Electrical System435%
Tires & Wheels273%
Fuel System263%
Body & Structure212%
Suspension152%
Visibility & Wipers111%
Latches & Locks71%
Lighting40%
Seats40%
Child Seat10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2005 Toyota Camry have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V396000SeatsJune 2, 2016 · 7,749 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

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.

10V035000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 271,417 units

Defect

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

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..

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“LTR FM (MA) RE TOYOTA BRAKING AND SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, OWNER OF A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. *TGW AS THE CONSUMER STARTED TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE TRIED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 23, 2006 · crash

“DT: CONTACT STATES: SHE WENT TO PARK THE CAR, WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD. THEN, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER CAR, AND BRAKES DID NOT HOLD. IT ALSO HIT ANOTHER CAR, AND THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK. . SHE WAS TRAVELING AT A VERY LOW SPEED. *AK DEALERSHIP CHECKED ALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 12, 2005 · crash

“WHILE SWITCHING LANES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AT A STOPLIGHT ABOUT 10 FEET BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT, AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HIT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS UNANTICIPATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 4, 2016 · crash

“MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I TAKE EVERYDAY AS I WAS MILDLY TURNING WITH THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL SPUNG TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR WENT OUT OD CONTROL SPINNING AND ENDED ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER WHERE THAN MY CAR STARTED TO FLIP OVER NONE STOP AND THE AIRBAGS DIDNT NOT BURST OR COME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 15, 2019 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THERE WAS A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 20 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE HOWEVER; SERIOUS HEAD AND NECK INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 21, 2006 · crash

2005 Toyota Camry — common questions

Is the 2005 Toyota Camry reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 905 complaints put the 2005 model at #7 of 43 Camry years. It is one of the Camry years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Camry problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (274 complaints), brakes (96 complaints), transmission (87 complaints).

Does the 2005 Toyota Camry have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Toyota Camry. 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 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.