MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota Camry

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Toyota Camry
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Camry Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1983: 6 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 33 complaints 1987: 58 complaints 1988: 69 complaints 1989: 117 complaints 1989 1990: 136 complaints 1991: 155 complaints 1992: 569 complaints 1993: 263 complaints 1994: 306 complaints 1995: 303 complaints 1995 1996: 417 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 600 complaints 1999: 501 complaints 2000: 454 complaints 2001: 272 complaints 2001 2002: 953 complaints 2003: 780 complaints 2004: 638 complaints 2004 2005: 721 complaints 2006: 317 complaints 2007: 2885 complaints 2007 2008: 933 complaints 2009: 1293 complaints 2010: 602 complaints 2011: 598 complaints 2012: 589 complaints 2013: 274 complaints 2013 2014: 455 complaints 2015: 268 complaints 2016: 180 complaints 2017: 148 complaints 2018: 736 complaints 2019: 392 complaints 2019 2020: 270 complaints 2021: 154 complaints 2022: 58 complaints 2023: 62 complaints 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 146 complaints 2025
2004: 638 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19836
19848
198513
198633
198758
198869
1989117
1990136
1991155
1992569
1993263
1994306
1995303
1996417
1997555
1998600
1999501
2000454
2001272
2002953
2003780
2004638
2005721
2006317
20072885
2008933
20091293
2010602
2011598
2012589
2013274
2014455
2015268
2016180
2017148
2018736
2019392
2020270
2021154
202258
202362
202447
2025146

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 38%

38% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 241 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180705

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP A CURVE AND CRASH INTO BRICK STEPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY AND REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120629

STEERING 13%

13% of complaints: steering — 81 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column and linkages.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231211

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 79 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260708

GAS PEDAL ACCELERATED WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181221

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120713

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 74 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180727

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 638
R 20040806 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 04V346000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041220 — seat belts

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 B

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

Campaign 04V595000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050805 — DP (closed 20060105)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I 20060914 — DP (closed 20070403)

ENGINE SURGING

R 20111231 — engine and engine cooling

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 L

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

Campaign 11V539000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (241 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (81 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (79 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V346000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V595000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V539000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2009 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Toyota Camry reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Toyota Camry is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Camry?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Camry have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.