Severe Issues

2004 TOYOTA CAMRY Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Camry. This model year has 798 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Unintended Acceleration.

798
Complaints
222
Crashes
13
Fires
144
Injuries
6
Deaths
3
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2004 Toyota Camry Problems

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

#1
265
complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Crash-related:150
Fires:1
Injuries:65
#2
110
complaints

Steering Defects

Crash-related:13
Injuries:11
#3
97
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:56
Injuries:61

Considering a 2004 Toyota Camry?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Toyota Camry. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Unintended Acceleration2651501β€”
Steering Defects11013β€”β€”
Airbag Malfunctions9756β€”β€”
Brake System8629β€”β€”
Engine Problems6673β€”
Hydraulic6218β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain6110β€”β€”
Structural Problems5551β€”
Electrical Faults4348β€”
Tire Issues314β€”β€”
Suspension Failures283β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues2531β€”
Visibility2211β€”
Fuel System2041β€”
Equipment195β€”β€”
Gasoline1431β€”
Seat Belt Issues134β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues1311β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System1041β€”
Door Lock Issues10β€”β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures7β€”β€”β€”
Other61β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)5β€”β€”β€”
Electric52β€”β€”
Wheel Issues31β€”β€”
Air3β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control3β€”β€”β€”
Child Seat2β€”β€”β€”
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB11β€”β€”
Parking-Brake Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Traction Control System1β€”β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota Camry. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 400 most recent complaints of 798 total. View all on NHTSA β†—

Airbag MalfunctionsApr 15, 2025

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.

Steering DefectsDec 11, 2023

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 …

Engine ProblemsMay 23, 2023

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 manu…

Uncategorized IssuesMar 18, 2023

Unknown

Uncategorized IssuesDec 16, 2022

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

Fuel SystemMay 9, 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 …

Fuel SystemFeb 11, 2022

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 r…

Structural ProblemsSep 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that the dashboard started to crack exposing the air bag. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashJul 19, 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 sustaine…

Tire IssuesJul 7, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Solara. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the TPMS indicated that the tire pressure was low however, upon investigation the tires were at the correct tire pressure. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning light was illumi…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashMay 6, 2021

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…

Fuel/Propulsion SystemDec 27, 2020

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 C…

Electrical FaultsπŸ”₯ FireOct 5, 2020

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE WI 43 FREEWAY (SPEED APROX. 70 MPH) AT 2:00AM OF 09/28/2020. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER MY DASHBOARD. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CALLED 911. TWO OZAUKEE COUNTY SHERIFFS AND 1 PORT WASHINGTON FIRE…

Steering DefectsπŸ’₯ CrashAug 8, 2020

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.

Airbag MalfunctionsMar 6, 2020

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.…

Structural ProblemsJan 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED. PRIORITY TOYOTA HAMPTON LOCATED AT 2301 W MERCURY BOULEVARD, HAMPTON, VA 23666, (757)838-5000) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT …

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashSep 24, 2019

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

Engine ProblemsAug 21, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEST HERR TOYOTA (4141 S. WESTERN BLVD, ORCHARD PARK, NY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL CYLINDER SENSORS ONE AND TWO WERE FAU…

Engine ProblemsAug 13, 2019

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 TH…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashJun 14, 2019

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 TOT…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Toyota Camry.

Recalls for 2004 Toyota Camry

3 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Toyota Camry. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

11V539000Sep 11, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

04V595000Invalid Date
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

04V346000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

2004 Toyota Camry β€” FAQ

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

Is the 2004 Toyota Camry reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2004 Toyota Camry has 798 NHTSA owner complaints, 222 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Unintended Acceleration (265 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Camry?β–Ύ

#1: Unintended Acceleration (265 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (110 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (97 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Toyota Camry?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2004 Toyota Camry?β–Ύ

The 2004 Toyota Camry has 222 crash-related complaints and 13 fire reports out of 798 total NHTSA complaints. 144 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2004 Toyota Camry have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Toyota Camry. The largest issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2004 Toyota Camry?β–Ύ

The 2004 Toyota Camry has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Unintended Acceleration issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

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

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

Check Your Specific 2004 Toyota Camry

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.