CarComplaints.com Notes: Beware of the NHTSA complaint data for the 2004 Camry. It is almost certainly misleading.
The problem with NHTSA data for the 2004 Camry is that for months on end, the news media repeatedly told the public that several Toyota models had an unintended acceleration defect, & to go to safercar.gov (the NHTSA's website) to file a complaint.
So, the NHTSA received a disproportionate number of complaints about unintended acceleration issues because of the national news media attention, to the point where their data is unreliable taken in context with any other vehicle that did not receive national news attention.
CarComplaints.com typically receives more complaints per day about vehicles than the NHTSA does, but the news media did not repeatedly say "go to CarComplaints.com to report your Camry acceleration problems" like they did about the NHTSA -- so although we have less complaint data than the NHTSA for the 2004 Camry, our data for the Camry is a far more statistically accurate representation of the Camry's reliability than what the NHTSA data shows.
This is the second water pump on this 2004 Camry which is driven lightly on the hwy for 40 kilometers each day. The 1st water pump lasted approximately 49000 kilometers. The 2nd water pump has just gone (very noisy and leaking) at 97000 kilometers. Is this what I have to expect at these mileage intervals. I asked the Toyota dealer if there was any help from them and was told Toyota has been sticking to their warranty guidelines now for 2 or 3 years and it is very doubtful they would assist. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE OF THESE VEHICLES OR ANY TOYOTA. I was told this car needed an upper ball joint @ 75000k. I have replaced emission sensors, the car also needed a steering yoke @ 40000k. When the check engine light came on @ 90000k the dealer could not tell me if it was the sensor in the air intake or the sensor (solenoid) at the gas tank. They would have to replace both of them. The air intake sensor would cost approx $240. to replace and the fuel take valve would be approx $600. I took it to a local garage and they replaced the air intake sensor for $200. which solved the problem. I am not impressed with repair history for this car. I should have stuck with another GM. My 2003 Chevy truck has had one steering rack replaced (160000k) which I thought was unusual but otherwise regular maintenance is all it asks for. Thanks, I feel better now.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is the second water pump on this 2004 Camry which is driven lightly on the hwy for 40 kilometers each day. The 1st water pump lasted approximately 49000 kilometers. The 2nd water pump has just gone (very noisy and leaking) at 97000 kilometers. Is this what I have to expect at these mileage intervals. I asked the Toyota dealer if there was any help from them and was told Toyota has been sticking to their warranty guidelines now for 2 or 3 years and it is very doubtful they would assist. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE OF THESE VEHICLES OR ANY TOYOTA. I was told this car needed an upper ball joint @ 75000k. I have replaced emission sensors, the car also needed a steering yoke @ 40000k. When the check engine light came on @ 90000k the dealer could not tell me if it was the sensor in the air intake or the sensor (solenoid) at the gas tank. They would have to replace both of them. The air intake sensor would cost approx $240. to replace and the fuel take valve would be approx $600. I took it to a local garage and they replaced the air intake sensor for $200. which solved the problem. I am not impressed with repair history for this car. I should have stuck with another GM. My 2003 Chevy truck has had one steering rack replaced (160000k) which I thought was unusual but otherwise regular maintenance is all it asks for. Thanks, I feel better now.
- terry_electric, Caledonia, ON, Canada